How did you afford it?

Hi everyone,

Sorry if this is already a commonly asked question.  I'm very new to looking at this particular message board.  I wanted to know what different people were doing to afford plastic after wls.  Any tips?  Any suggestions?  Also.. cost info on the various surgeries would be great and even talking about the surgeons.  I am very new to this part of things and am just at the beginning of forming ideas of where to go from here.

Thank you for your help!!!

I started saving $50 a month when I first had WLS.  I figured I'd want something done - but if not, I'd celebrate with a kick-ass vacation or something!

I used insurance and tried to group my surgeries so that they made the most sense together financially.  And I was realistic and conservative about what I tried to "fix" - I don't have the money to do EVERYTHING...so I focused on the most important things...

My insurance paid for it or else I would be waiting to have it.  I was approved because of the size of my panni.  My husband was denied.  I do feel bad for him, but we will save up and he can have the procedure.

My insurance didn't pay anything for the VSG and will pay nothing for plastics either.  I have a low interest loan for the VSG but looks like a much higher rate for plastics.  May secure a loan with my car to get a better rate.  I am scheduled for tt and brachioplasty in January for $13,200.

Well I was one of the lucky ones and my insurance covered everything with my VSG.  But plastics I am on my own...it covers nothing.  SO I am self pay 13,100 in Jan.  My hospital sold our unit in Jan(I am a RN)  and I had been there over 19 years so I got a really good severance..plus the new company hired me.  So I am using part of my severance for my plastics. 

Good luck to you.

Patty

My insurance paid for my DS but I still had some medical bills associated with it.  And then, there have been vitamins galore, new clothes, and expensive protein powder -- although if I added it up, the protein powder is probably not costing me as much as what I was spending on food before.  But... although it has been almost 11 months since my surgery, I have not save ANY money toward plastics.  I've made some changes to my health insurance elections, decreasing my monthly premiums etc., and will have extra per month starting in January.  So, I'm hopeful I can start putting some money aside.  In addition, I'm writing a book.  It's my first book - but I feel good about it.  It's my hope that it will help me fund some plastics.  One area of plastics I think I'll be able to get insurance to cover is a breast reduction.  I still have close to 60 lbs to lose but I've retained a lot of my breast size.  I'm hoping I haven't deflated so much by the time I near my goal that I can't still go the breast reduction route.  It would have a lift built into the procedure. 

Has anyone taken any second jobs or anything on the side to help fund their plastics?

I took a 2nd out on my home (lower interest rate) than regular loan. They money I spent was equivalent to purchasing a new car, but I will tell you that I've never enjoyed a car the way I do my new body!!! Go for it any way you can.

I hope to.  I really do. 

I was self-pay for my band and also for my brachioplasty and breast lift.

I will be self-pay for my tummy tuck in March.

I saved and I also sold some stock -- and got a good bonus from work the past 2 years that helped alot.

I also drive a car that is 7 years old.  My band and both plastics combined will come to about 27,000.00.

I will gladly drive this car for another 7 years to have the life that I have today --- money well spent!!!
(Easy to say when the money is available, I know) --- if I had to take a second job to do it, I would do it in a heartbeat.

I had wondered about that... if very many people had picked up a 2nd job to afford the plastics.  I really have to start thinking about this more proactively.  I've already got quite a bit of debt... not sure how much more I can manage.  I might be one of thos 2nd job people - but if I'm smart about it I'll continue to plug away at my book in hopes that will make a big different toward being able to afford future body work.