Need advice: Is it really worth it?

Yes. Go for a consult. My BFF is in the same situation and I'm always encouraging her to go see what they say. When I started into all that, I thought I was just awful -- and then the surgeon and nurses said, "oh girl you aren't ANYTHING compared to what we see..." so it made me feel better.

GO FOR IT!

 The real answer is that it's worth it so you can decide whether it's a priority in your life.   In actuality, most people get little uexpected cash bonuses throughout their lives.  I've received small inheritances, larger inheritances, lost money awards, lawsuit settlements, extra job income, big tax returns (that time I got $13,000 back, I was able to buy a car).   We've sold property for much larger than anticipated returns (it turns out the husband had a fortune in ammunition equipment).   We've also lost money to unanticipated home and car repairs and illnesses, but by and large, we've done better than anyone would have expected.

It's sort of like the time before I was married.  I was going back to school without student loans and repaying my debts.  I ran out of money on a Thursday, with no money coming in until the next week sometime.  There was a movie I wanted to see.  I went to a meeting, and there was a guy there handing out free tickets to see that very movie.

Does this always work?  No.  There was also a time when I had no money for food and had to actively go out and locate a food shelf.  But that was a temporary setback.  Things get better, especially if you have a clear picture of your priorities.

If you know  how much your surgery will actually cost, you can put it on the list of priorities much more easily.  For example, when I found out that insurance wouldn't cover my surgery, the first thing I did was find out how much it would actually cost to pay for it myself.  Wouldn't you know it, I had a receivable that was coming to me in almost that exact same amount.  Who knows?  You might be get an extra writing assignment that would pay for your arm surgery!

(My current extra money project is to find $1,700 to go on a cruise in April or May).  

 Tough call, Nik.  I guess if you think there is ANY chance of getting your arms covered by insurance, it would be worth it.  Otherwise... well, for me, it would just be discouraging.  That's just me, though.  

FWIW:  You know how big my batwings were.  Even though I was having terrible rashes in my armpits (as bad as under my panni) and actually had infections on two occasions after I nicked myself trying to shave with all that extra, crepe-y skin (and then the cuts got infected because of the bacteria and lack of air) even an appeal to BCBS, with pictures and all, was unsuccessful.  Now, if you wanted a breast reduction, you MIGHT have a shot at that...

If you do go, make sure you ask when you make the appointment if the consultation is free (most of the time they will tell you when you make the appt what the fee is and that they expect payment in fuataris day of your visit, but I have recently heard of surgeon's offices not telling people ahead of time).  Also, if you get a self-pay quote, be aware that the quotes are often only good for a certain period of time (with my surgeon it was 6 months).

Lora