Looking for suggestions and advice :)

I am curious how people pay for so much of this, I mean I went for the one appt and for the circum its 14.5k  and that's not counting the thighs (which annoy the living snot out of me after all my hard work)  I feel like I have a ten pound ham hanging off of each of them :(  People insist they are not bad....but they are number three in the list of things to be attended to;

Belly, Butt, Thighs.  Eventually I would love to have something done with the girls...but they are okay in all reality and arms are not so bad either...

I would really like some suggestions on best way to begin this journey and be successful, its rather amazing to be a Phase 3 and so close to being able to cross the finish line. Are there things that I  an do to help make things be approved and all sooner or ways to save money (without doing things like going out of country etc) I want to do this in the most logical most effective way and try to have a few pennies left when I'm done.  I do have insurance (BCBS) and awaiting to see if they approve it, I am prayerful they will that will help with the cost part :) I expect I am rambling....just so much I don't know just yet and want to be prepared and not do things that I don't need to do financially speaking.  I have managed to raise 3 sons alone debt free (minus my mortgage of course) and would like to keep it that way. :) But the budget doesn't offer much room for flexing ATM. (I am three classes from finishing my degree so that will be a blessing and help some financially in a yr or so, not wanting to wait any longer, feels like I have waited so long already)   Looking for any suggestions or advice. :)

Just keep swimming,
Swoosh :)

If you are willing to travel, Tijuana and Mexicali have great plastic surgeons for a fraction of the price, I mean its not 14k, all of this would probably pay like 8k. Maybe Mexicali would be better. If you ask some of the other women here, I think a couple have had plastics done there.

Before sending off for insurance approval, you need to find out exactly what your policy will cover and what the criteria is to get that coverage.  Then work on meeting that criteria (could be documenting things in your medical record via MD visits).  THEN submit for approval, otherwise you run the risk of a denial and then having to appeal.

Swoosh,
I just bit the bullet and got a second mortgage.  If you can't afford a second you might just simply refinance if you have any equity.  Yes it will take longer to pay off house.  But let me tell you the feeling you get afterwards is so worth it.   I need more work on thighs and arms but I can live with them while I pay down my second mortgage then will take more out of house and finish things off.  

I inherited a little life insurance policy from my father - he would be rolling over in his grave if he knew how I spent some of it!!!!  It was money I never counted on so I used it on me because I felt I deserved it - was it wasteful?  To some yes but to me NO - I can not explain the difference in the quality of mjy life now.  Literally, this extended TT with muscle tightening has changed my life, just like the RNY did.

There are loans you can get through your surgeon, probably.  Mine offered a loan.

Thanks for the suggestions guys, more to think on :)

Swoosh

I had a plastic surgeon consult a couple of years ago and had planned to save up and self pay.  When I found out that Kaiser pays for the pannicelectomy as long as it is medically necesary and not cosmetic, I started going back and forth to my PCP for documentation.  It took a long time and a second opinion but I finally got approved.

It was time consuming, a head ache, and took years for them to approve me but it was worth it.  With the economy the way it is now, I probably wouldn't have had it done.  I hope everything works out for you, take care.

Lia d

I went to Monterrey Mexico and Dr Sauceda for an LBL, inner thigh lift, BL and brachio, for just a bit more than your circum estimate.  I took out a loan from my 401k.  At least I'm paying the interest back to myself.

As another poster said, it's amazing how much better you feel about yourself with all the xtra skin and flabby parts back where they need to be.  I actually feel sexy now, where I didn't before.

You can click on Dr Sauceda in my siggy line.  He has a group here on OH.