Question:
WHAT I COULD DO IF I DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE? MY INSURANCE HAS RAN OUT!!!

I HAVE BEEN OVER WEIGHT ALL MY LIFE. NOW I FIND IT HARD TO DO EVERY DAY LIVING THINGS. I CAN NOT WALK IN STORES MUST USE WHEELCHAIRS. I HAVE TWO GRANDKIDS WHO I WOULD LOVE TO WALK TO SCHOOL. I DO NOT WANT TO BE SKINNY JUST WANT TO BE HEALTHY. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO WALK WITHOUT FEELING LIKE I AM NEAR DEATH. MY BACK HURTS FROM CARRING SO MUCH WEIGHT. I AM 5'7 455 POUNDS. I HAD CARESOUCRE FOR A YEAR DUE TO BREAST CANCER 4-29-09. NOW THAT IT'S BEHIND ME, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A NORMAL LIFE. MY SON JUST GRADUATED GOING TO GRADUATION WAS SO HARD ON ME JUST TO WALK THE HALLS TO MY SEAT. EVERY WHERE I GO I MOST THINK HOW FAR I WILL HAVE TO WALK. I WOULD TO GO TO MARC'S DISCOUNT BUT NO WHEELCHAIRS. I WOULD LOVED TO BE ABLE TO WALK THE MALL WITH FRIENDS/SON BUT I CAN NOT. AT 39 YRS OLD I FEEL MY LIFE HAS ALREADY ENDED. DEPRESSION EVERY DAY. NO SELF-ESTEEM. I HATE LOOKIN IN THE MIRROR. JUST PUT CLOTHES ON & GO. A MIRROR WILL MAKE ME REALLY BREAK DOWN. I DON'T KNOW HOW I GOT THIS FAR. BEING OVER WEIGHT CAN BE SO VERY LONELY. I JUST WISH I COULD FIND A DOCTOR THAT HAS SPECIAL FINACING. I'M FINDING SO FAR THIS SURGERY WILL RUN AT LEAST $50,000. THAT IS JUST NOT IN MY PRICE RANGE. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY. I HAVE FAIR CREDIT. PLEASE HELP ME TO FIND STEPS TO RESEARCH ON HOW TO AFFORD THIS SURGERY.    — JOHNSON0319 (posted on October 16, 2010)


October 16, 2010
Demetra, I had a vertical sleeve 4 months ago and it was the best thing I have ever done for myself. My insurance didn't cover it and I didn't have any money or any credit but I DID have an existing credit card. I went to Dr. Aceves and his price was less than $9,000 total. I put that on my credit card and am paying it back slowly over time but I don't care - I have my life back. I used existing airline miles to pay for the plane ticket so my total out of pocket cost was ZERO. Explore the VSG surgery here on this board and you can find out all about Dr. Aceves here also. He is an expert on this surgery, has done more of them than just about any other doctor except perhaps the one in Spain, and has never had a leak. He is a wonderful, compassionate man who actually cares about your weight loss success. Good luck to you. Cheryl*
   — boernecheryl

October 16, 2010
I was fortunate and have insurance and my doctor only required 670.00 up front...hosptial required ZERO..so my 20% is being paid for at the hospital with 100 buck a month payments. There is a couple of companies that loan money just for surgeries, google something like "surgical loans" or something and see if they come up. Medicare also will pay for them to be done...have you tried that? Good luck, I am so happy to have my life back..I lost the first 100 in less than 6 months and only have 30 more to lose.
   — tfqh99

October 16, 2010
Are you on SSI disability? If you are, once you have been disabled 2 years continuously, you will be eligible for Medicare. I know that sounds like a long wait, but how long have you been overweight? Much, much longer I would bet. While you are waiting, use the time to educate yourself on healthier eating habits and foods and transition yourself to a healthier diet since you will need to eat like that for the rest of your life. Also document your weight with a physician and document the co-morbities so that you will have good records documenting your obesity and your attempts at loosing weight so that when you are covered, you will have the necessary documentation to move forward. Good luck!
   — sfmini

October 17, 2010
I also had the gastric sleeve procedure. I had mine in The Dominican Republic with Dr. Leino. He was amazing and it has been the best thing I have ever done. I have lost 160 lbs. My surgery was June 17, 2009. I paid out of pocket right at 9,999.00. I know there are surgical loans out there, I just didn't get accepted by any and I had what I thought was fair credit! Theres carecredit that I know of for sure. They only approved me for 500.00 tho and obvioulsy that didn't help me much. Good luck to you and I would look into Medicare if I were you. It is always worth a try.
   — callen3640

October 17, 2010
If it was me, I would go to OH, look for my state, then look for a medical school which does bariatric surgery. A number of them do that kind of surgery based on your ability to pay, whether you are compliant with their requirements etc. Marti in San Jose
   — Marti P.

October 17, 2010
I think the previous idea about medical schools is a good idea. Not only would you get the necessary medical that you need, but you know that the teaching doctors are going to be especially careful on what to teach the next generation of doctors. My heart goes out to you. I know exactly how you feel. I felt the same way you do before I had my surgery. You are to young to going through this. Good luck in your quest.
   — Kathleen W.

October 17, 2010
Demetra, I live in Cincinnati. I am 5'7" and weighed 457, I've lost 191. I had VSG surgery 6-23-08. My insurance co. did not cover the surgery, the hosp bill was $14,000 and had to be paid 2 weeks before surgery, my surgeon charged $2,600, plus the anesthesiologist. My husband took the money out of his 401k to pay for it. So if you'd come down to Cinci, you could save a chunk of change, at least it's worth checking out. May God Bless You Abundantly.
   — KathieV

October 17, 2010
Demetra if you are disabled and do not have the quarters for SSI disability you might try applying for Supplemntal Security Income (SSI). Even if you do not think you are disabled you should still apply. If you can get SSI you are enrolled into medicaid. You can apply online or at your social security office. It is a tedious task but so worth it.
   — jeckelynn

October 18, 2010
Demetra, I see you live in Akron. So do I. I had mt surgery at St. Vincent's in Cleveland by Dr. Ben Meir. The staff there was wonderful. Why don't you call them to see what can be worked out. That hospital is run by a community of nuns and they may be more compassionate. Good luck - hope i can help. Maureen, Akron
   — Muggs




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