Self pays: regrets? guilt? worth it?

Hi folks, 

I'm at the beginning of my plastics journey with consultations.  A recent quote was $15,000 for an extended tummy tuck with anchor cut and a breast lift.  While I'm interested in the full LBL, it's mostly the abdomen that gives me the hardest time and breasts that emotionally suck the life out of me :)

While my skin is horrendous, the medical necessity is debatable (being in HR I understand and respect the importance of documented medical necessity).  I am considering self pay options at the moment, though I want to vomit just thinking about spending that much on this. 

I'd love to hear your stories of self-pay.  Were you denied by surgery and forced to self pay, or did you accept that it likely wouldn't be covered so you didn't try?  Did you feel guilt?  How did you overcome it?  Have you felt guilt AFTER having surgery?  Any regrets?  

I'm a single parent and I'm used to putting other needs first.  I do not have much in savings for these procedures - if I go forward with it, SOMETHING will take a hit (likely retirement).  

Thanks in advance for anything you can share about this aspect of your journey.  I knew going into RNY that I would eventually face this and I would take the skin, empty and deflated over filled with fat, any day.  But I would greatly like to close this chapter with ridding myself of it.  

I didn't even apply for any insurance, I just did it.   I wanted it done, and done by someone who knew what to do with my body.   I got that.   I also wanted someone affordable, paid less than you did and got more done.   I wouldn't take it back in a heart beat.

Bonnie

Hello,

Like the above poster, I went out of the country to Mexico, and never regretted a minute or penny of it. I had expert care, an awesome hospital stay of 3 nights, 4 nights in a luxury hotel and a very experienced board certified Plastic surgeon with 22 years experience.  I had an extended tt with lipo and arm lift, and my traveling companion had an extended tt with lipo and breast lift.  We each paid under $6,000, and that included everything!  In my case, insurance would not have covered anything, and so both of us were self pay, and I also had to swallow hard, but I am so glad I did it.  Whether you have to save or take a 0% credit card and make payments or whatever, I Don't think you will regret it, although $15,000 to do it is alot of money.  There is also the option of the residency programs here in the states that offer lower fees so if you ask around on here, you will get responses for that and that might also be a good option for you.  Good luck!
Jean

I am about the same place as you and really thought I was ready for the next stage.  Of course I am going in the insurance route for what I can, but I am fortunate that my Mother is helping financially.  All of a sudden afte rmy consult and everything I have a bottomless pit in my stomack and I am not sure why.  The last time I felt this way was when I was going through the ground work for RNY with a hospital in MD and was scheduling the surgery but had never med the surgeon.  I think although I know what to expect it is not like with RNY when I knew EVERYTHING that was going to happen and even in all of my complications my surgeon explained everything that would happen.  I guess I need some lifeskills classes for PS! :-)

Panni and incisional hernia were repaired here and covered by insurance.
Full face lift, arms, long thighs, bl with self tissue fill(no implants), tt and torsoplasty were done in 2 trips to Brazil. 
I lost a lot of weight with my RNY, so some of my skin has loosened again.  When I get the money, I'll have revisions by Dr. Sauceda in Mexico.  I had excellent daily care in Rio, but it's a long trip.  Dr. S provides comparable care to my Rio ps.
I would do it all again in a heart beat--same places and procedures.

I was self-pay due to my insurance excluding any cosmetic procedures. None of mine were considered medically necessary. I had a lot of extra skin but it didn't cause me any health issues.

With that being said, I have no regrets at all. I spent well over the amount you've been quoted and I had many procedures. It was money well spent. I don't think you can place a price on how much self confidence is worth. After shedding all of the skin and reshaping my body, I finally felt like I had completed my long journey. I would do it again without any hesitation.

My insurance paid for my extended TT and I self-paid for my arms at the same time, $4,000.

Man, am I happy that I self-paid to get that done. I really feel that plastics was the cherry on the top of my weight loss experience sundae.

Do what you need to do to get insurance to cover it, but I highly recommend paying for it if you have to. You cannot put a price on confidence and well-being.

Nicolle

I know how you feel.I went through insurance and they denied me.I resubmitted 3xs cause they kept saying they needed this or that and every time I would supply it they would deny me for something else.I then appealed it twice and they denied both appeals.Now I am self pay and scheduled for LBL on Jan.11th.They are also going to reposition my port and put in a smaller one. I am I am still struggling with the fact that we are spending so much money but I think that I am doing the right thing.Im hoping it will be worth it like every one says! I am extremly nervous.My doctor wont do my arms at the same time which would make it cheaper but he says its to much.I really wish he would.

Ins denied me twice....had BL/BA by borrowing from my 401K and just had a full LBL due to a loan by my stepdad...

I get upset b/c for some stupid reason, I never thought about the skin..I just wanted to be thin!

Now I tell all preops to start saving pennies.
My hardest thing was not feeling vain..and i always feel like i have to justify it...that's just my own negative talk not others.

But after you heal and you start liking the way yours clothes fit so much better, it gets realll good. I'm 3 wks out and let me tell you, that guilt is about gone, sister.

My insurance paid for my panni removal and I upgraded to a full TT with muscle tightening for an extra $1k. 

I'm now self-paying for a BL/BA...  and I'm fine with it.  I too don't really have the money.. but...

I almost went to Mexico to Dr Sauceda and could have had the BL/BA and LBL for the same amount I'm paying just for the BL/BA here... but I'm happy with the Dr and I like the idea of recuperating at home...  just a comfort factor there.

But - sometimes I DO think about cancelling it here and going to MX and getting it all done!