Question:
Would you leave the job you love to have the surgery?

I work for a small company in Maryland who carries Mamsi insurance. It is part of the small group network, so it is not governed by the new law that went into effect on October 1, 2001. I have the opportunity to take a job with a larger company that carries BC/BS POS and has over 50 members, so it would not be considered a small group. I do not have the list of exclusions for the new insurance, but having over 50 people, it would have to follow the guidelines in the new law. Anyway.... I love my current job. I will be able to continue doing some of the same work at this new job, but may not like the other part as much. How many of you changed jobs to have insurance coverage for the surgery, and was it worth it??? Please feel free to e-mail me directly with your thoughts at [email protected]. Thanks for listening.    — Jackie L. (posted on January 9, 2002)

January 9, 2002
YES YES YES! This is the best thing I could have ever done for myself!!! You can always find another job, but if your health fails from complications due to obesity, you have NOTHING!! Remember without your health everything else is imaterial. Good Luck!
   — blank first name B.

January 9, 2002
you better believe it I didn't change jobs but I would have and now 2and a half months post op and 100lbs. lighter and knowing what I know now I definately would have done it in a heartbeat.
   — Chris H.

January 9, 2002
I uprooted my job, my life and moved to a town within my coverage area. I left friends and church. Of course I found new friends and a new church, but I do have to say it was worth it. I felt like I was headed to the grave if I stayed at 300lbs. I made a life saving decision. 8 weeks out, I don't regret my decision.
   — [Anonymous]

January 9, 2002
Yes, in a heartbeat. Check with your NEW job, though. Point of Service (POS) expired in my state on 1/1/02 and I went to standard option BCBS automatically, read the fine print first..not all BCBS pays for surgery.
   — Connie M.

January 9, 2002
Jacqueline, unlike the previous posters I am not so quick to say change jobs. Sure there are pluses to changing jobs and I guess you have already looked into whether the surgery will be covered. That's a plus obviously. I have to say though, that there are many many people in this world working for people and companies that they don't like. This can cause depression as well as take a toll on the family life. I sincerely, think that you need to discuss this change with your husband as well as with us because he will certainly be affected also by this change in jobs. Please weigh carefully, your health with and without the surgery, your mental health in the new job compared with the old, and your family life and financial well being. Only you know what is more important to you and how good or bad you feel being heavy. Which change or nonchange would make you feel better both physically and mentally? I am not trying to preach but the answer is not as simple as just saying change. This is a job you said you love. Give it great consideration and then make sure that you are very happy with either decision. (Here is another note....is it possible to go back to this job in a year or so? Are you leaving on good terms? This could be your answer also. Make sure you leave on good terms if you do and give them plenty of notice. Let them know why you feel it's necessary to your well being to leave this company but let them know that you honestly would never leave if it wasn't for your health). Most people would be glad to hire back an employee like that.
   — Barbara H.

January 10, 2002
I did change jobs, because my job had an exclusion, I found a company that had Aetna, I knew that there was a good they would pay for the surgery, Thank God I found a new job that even pays more!! and I had my surgery. It is still hard to up and leave friends I had at my job for 12 years!!! but I have made new friends, and my old friends don't live too far, we still talk every month and keep in touch, go with your gutt( parden the pun) feeling!!!
   — [Anonymous]