Question:
CAN SOMEONE FINANCE WLS ?

THERE IS A CO-WORKER HERE THAT NEEDS WLS BADLY (BMI OVER 60) AND DOES NOT HAVE INS. TO COVER IT AND ALSO CANT AFFORD TO PAY FOR IT OUT RIGHT. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW HE CAN GO ABOUT LOOKING INTO IT AND MAYBE FINANCING IT?    — JOHNNNYRAY (posted on August 2, 2007)

August 1, 2007
Go to www.jawadmd.com He has payments plans and also happens to be the best surgeon around. Good luck. Oh, he is located in Ocala.
   — Linda_M

August 2, 2007
I was totally in the same spot - BMI of 64, wheelchair bound, every co-morbidity in the book - and went through two insurance denials for WLS. We didn't have more than maybe an extra couple of bucks to our name. It took a miracle - seriously! - for me to get my surgery. Someone anonymously donated the money so I could go and have my surgery. I was a self-pay patient, and I went to Dr. Aniceto Baltasar in Alcoy, Spain. Since then I've met thousands of self-pay patients and seen surgery financed in AMAZING ways. What it comes down to is that one has to get REALLY creative. I know people who have sold collections (anything from Barbies to antique cars), gotten home equity loans, had community fund-raisers, gotten a second job, had friends or family loan them money or take our a loan for them, borrowed from IRA or other savings accounts - to name a few. There are lots of medical finance companies out there, too. My suggestion is that he get busy researching WHICH form of WLS he wants to live with for the rest of his life, which surgeon he feels is the one he wants to trust his life with - and then start thinking about what it's going to take to get there. It's HARD! I know! I've been there! I know literally thousands who have as well. I wish there were an easy answer - but I honestly don't think there is. There is a bit of a silver lining in that self-paying for WLS is pretty much tax deductible (except for a few things) - even if you travel out of the country for it. Tha can make for a really nice tax year. The big thing for your friend: don't give up! It's worth the fight! He's worth the fight! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

August 2, 2007
Sometimes state vocational rehab pays if the weight is effecting your ability to work. Others have gotten a part time job with a company that covers surgery. Home depot was one awhile ago. If you have insurance now then its not pre existing. just non covered with the carrier. Sometimes your employeer can get insurance to pay, if the employeer is paying for the insurance in the first place. Others get a lawyer like walter lindstrom and sue insurance to get it covered. I wish your friend all the best.
   — bob-haller

August 2, 2007
Hello! I've heard wonderful things about Capital One. capitalone.com.............they have a health loan, but I don't know the %% rate to pay back. Try that. Good Luck. I have heard great things about Capital One. Kathy
   — Kathy R.