upset... insurance issues

So... I just found out that my panniculectomy was denied by my insurance...I had my consult, loved the doctor, she submitted the information to Tufts... (hate Tufts by the way), and apparently I do not meet criteria.

I have lost 197 lbs, and kept it off... only want to lose 10 more. I am almost two years out of surgery, and as far as weight loss, I am doing well. But the excess skin is killing me. It's everywhere. I am single, therefore have such anxiety about meeting new men... who may not understand the skin issue. Cannot wear shirts that show my arms, have trouble finding pants that fit right due to the panni, and struggle so much with this.  I used to get rashes all the time, but since I have been looking into plastics, have not gotten one. As much as that sounds like a good thing, I would definitely endure rashes if it means I could have documentation for surgery.  I am considering researching ways to give myself a rash haha...

I have no money, terrible credit from when I was younger, and see no options for surgery, and it's so depressing. I have worked so hard and want to be able to enjoy my body...

does anyone know of a financing company that will work with bad credit? I am so upset by this, i'm just not sure what to do...

I don't have any words of advice, but I can offer sympathy.  It just doesn't seem fair, does it.  I vote that you get your surgery.  I wonder if they would value my opinion.  Probably not.  I'm so sorry they denied you.

Have you looked into Chase Medical or Care Credit? Could you get a loan from somewhere possibly?

You don't meet their criteria.  Why not?  This is the information you need.

You need to contact them yourself and find out what criteria must be met in order to obtain approval.  Then you do what you need to do in order to meet that criteria and get it all documented.  It could be as simple as needing to have your PCP document rashes for 3 months or needing pictures that show the pannus hangs low enough.

Thanks everyone, it's just so disheartening.  I don't think I can get a loan anywhere, I can't even get a prepaid credit card from mistakes I made when I was younger and not working full time.  I attempted to ask the representative on the phone exactly what documentation I needed but she did not seem to know much. I think I'll call back and try to get another representative.  I would so try to find out exactly what documentation I need, my issue is since I have been trying to get plastics, I haven't gotten any rashes! So I can't get documentation since I haven't gotten them in months.... just frustrating. Not that I want to be in pain, but I used to get the painful rashes all of the time, but just haven't gotten them lately in order to have them documented, buuuuut, do have a nice, large panni hanging.....very attractive lol....

Don't know if this works 'cause I haven't tried it, yet, but I heard that if you leave Nair on to long in "certain areas, wink wink" it will cause a rash. I will definitely be considering this when my time comes.

 LOL that actually sounds like a good idea, I may consider.... haha, it's funny because I have a nasty rash in my belly button area from that skin hanging over, but not under the panni, where I used to get them... weird

Thanks for the tip! :)

You have my complete sympathy, because I was in the exact same boat as you. Panniculectomy  was denied by Harvard Pilgrim. I met all of the criteria but one, which was that my pannus doesn't hang low enough to cause hygiene issues. I have lost 130lbs and been at a stable weight for 2 years. 

It took me about 3 years to save the money I needed for self-paying my surgeries, scrimping and saving every penny. On October 4th I'm going in for BA and LBL at Mass General, to the tune of $13,626.00. I have a small heart attack every time I even look at that number.

I just want to say to you that it CAN be done. It will take time, and frankly it sucks. We don't want to wait! We want to enjoy our new bodies now!  Just start saving, commit yourself to saving everything. Take a realistic look at your expenses. Even cutting back $5 or $10 is a good start.

And lastly - since I learned the hard way too - get a copy of your credit report and start working on the balances. Even paying off a few mistakes in the past can make a big difference and get you on the road to even a secured credit card.

Good luck!! 

 Ohhhh good for you that you are getting the surgeries! I wish you the best of luck! I had considered looking into MA Gen...that's definitely what I am going to have to do... save save save! Just got a second job, it's only 8 hours a week, for now, but I already filled out the paperwork to get it directly deposited into my savings...

GOOD LUCK with your surgeries... thanks for the support!!!

Do like most of us do: save and sacrifice.



I could only afford my arms this summer. I got my consults, got a price and saved.



I want a tummy tuck either next yr or in a few yrs. I got a ballpark figure and I'm saving.



I lost the bulk of my weight 5-6 yrs ago. I've walked around with batwings for most of my 20s. It's life. We gained a tremendous amount of weight, we deal with the consequences of our actions.



I'm not trying to be negative or mean...but delayed gratification is apart of being an adult.



And I can't believe you want to take a loan out without a full time job. Who is going to loan money to someone who can't pay it back?



Skin removal really is a secondary and cosmetic issue.