Paying for skin removal surgery

Hi All,

Does anyone know of any good loan companies for paying for the skin removal after gastric bypass. I live in Indiana. All the ones I found only offer like a 2 year loan max, if I am going to have to pay 20k to have skin removed now that I am 160 pounds lighter, I am going to need longer then 2 years to pay off that kind of money That is like a car loan amount of money and t2 years won't cut it for me. I had a consultation with a plastic surgeron and he quoted me 16k for my thighs and tummy! I have to get this skin off of me or I am going to go nuts! Spend your whole life being fat and not that I am thin, I still can't show my body. That's life I guess.

Anywho I need a long term payment plan. My insurance will only cover it if i have a rash, and I don't have any rashes.


P.S. if anyone wants to loan me 20k, I promise I will pay you back...lol...kidding

I have you asked your PS  about places like care credit?  Have you considered going out of the country? It is way more afordable? Most surgeons take credit credit and  if you have surgery out of the country it would be a lot less to pay off so maybe you could do it in a  shorter time. Some people take out second mortgages or borrow aganist retirement plans too. I personally have been very fortunate and just saved in a" PS fund". Hope this helps. Good luck!

Care Credit will loan money for 5 years. Or you could use a good old fashioned credit card and make minimum payments forever!! ; )

Laura

Sometimes you have to be slick..Id suggest that you 'get a rash' *cough cough*. Work with your surgeon who did your initial weight loss surgery and tell him your issues. He can write a letter saying that the surgery is medically necessary..with that terminoloy, the insurance company should pay for it.  I would go ahead and start that process, and that way if there is an appeal you can be prepared. Also, BEFOFE YOU SUBMIT ANYTHING go over your insurance company policy that way they can't say 'well you dont' have this' and then you get screwed over. Good luck.

So you're suggesting he be dishonest?  Fine example you are.

Bonnie

No Bonnie, actually I wasn't. It was a joke, that's why I put the *cough* behind it!!!!  =) Sorry you took it the wrong way. As my post further explained, I was saying that if he got a letter from a medical professional saying it was medically necessary (for whatever reason) then insurance normally covers this. It doesn't have to be because of a rash; there are a host of other reasons.  Generally, the insurance companies take the word of a doctor, because they look at the potential to have to pay more money for health problems over the next years. For example, a lot of doctors will write that it is medically necessary due to the amount of excess skin which could LEAD to certain types of skin rashes and irritations, causing more health problems, hanging panis, etc. Some people get yeast infections as a result of skin, etc.  I was saying that if he works with his surgeon and gets examined to see what his risks are, then they could help him with the insurance process. Most people don't even know that their doctor will write letters like this, because they never ask. 

Sorry if I took it the wrong way.  I've seen far too many posts on here suggesting people get rashes. some even suggesting sand paper. grr...   Your health system is not like ours, but there isn't scamming here, none.  And when I see Americans scamming, then seeing the health crisis.. it makes me want to scream.   I visited New England  and met a wonderful lady.. 90.. still working.  Her husband had a heart attack and they lost everything.. she shouldn't be working at 90!!!   That is not right.  Just not right. 

Bonnie

It's no problem =) Never heard of the sand paper? Thats a bit much..and sounds painful as well!
I always tell people that with insurance companies here its a game..you just have to be a step ahead of them. If you know the policy, then they cant surprise you and say 'oh by the way, you dont meet this criteria'. Better to go into the fight prepared.  And a 90 yr old working baffles me!

As another poster already suggested, have you thought about out of country.  Dr. Sauceda is in Monterrey and is quite familar with our skin, and doing men.  They seem very pleased.  Here is the address for his board, you can go through pages and pages of posts from his patients and feel free to ask questions.  His cost is far lower than what you're going to find in the states.
www.obesityhelp.com/group/Dr_Sauceda_Patients/discussion/
Bonnie

Come up to MI and have surgery w/ my surgeon. Not sure how much the tummy & thighs would be (he won't do them together so it would be separate surgeries) I had a LBL & brachio and it was 12k for just a TT & brachio I believe it was quoted as 6k. I had my thighs done w/ my BL/BA but I'm guessing the thighs were about 4k. Very quality service and surgeon in case you don't want to go out of the country.

As for the loan, I was lucky and went to the bank of MOM. She was willing to lend me the 23K for all my surgeries and I can pay her back w/ very low interest over the next 10 years or sooner if I can. Maybe if you have a parent or relative you feel comfortable w/ and you've shown yourself to be responsible w/ money and loans they may be willing to help you out. I say responsible b/c my brother sure isn't and there is no way my mom would have done the same thing for him.