Question:
I will be a self payer for Plastic Surgery.

Is there any where you can get a loan for Plastic surgery with bad credit? I am looking at needing my arms, breast left, implants, etc... My insurance has already denied any plastic surgeries for me. Thanks    — Melissa S. (posted on October 3, 2003)

October 3, 2003
Do you own your own home? A 2nd mortage, or home equity line can be used, but with bad credit you may have to pay a higher rate of interest. Credit cards can also be used but should be a very last resort as you don't need to get yourself into any more credit debt. How about a loan from family? If you have a 401K from work, you can borrow against that too, or even better, start saving. I read a post from a woman who had a breast augmentation after sWLS who saved for 10 years.
   — Cindy R.

October 3, 2003
Remember there are options that can drastically reduce your costs. Prices vary inside the US so it would pay to shop around different areas of the country. Also prices vary a LOT if you're willing to go outside the US. I used a ps in MX but others have spoken of going to Brazil (MUCH cheaper). So first you need to decide how far you're willing to go and then get a price quote and an idea of what surgeries they are willing to do together at one time. Until you know how much you're talking you won't have any idea of what type of money you're looking at coming up with. There are numerous finance companies who fund specifically for plastics and medical procedures. If you look in the library there are several recommendations or you can just do a search online for medical loans. They tend to be a higher interest rate than you might get if you had good credit but they do try to lend anyone money that they possibly can because thats how they make their money. I believe that p-f-s is one that is supposed to be good about lending and their criteria depends on how much you're asking for. Some even will lend directly to you for procedures outside the country. I agree that credit cards can get you in trouble but its a matter of your priorities. Other options are the same as for trying to fiance WLS as a self pay. What can you sell for extra money, who do you know who will lend you money, can you take out another mortgage, any retirement savings, can you wait long enough to save it up the old fashioned way??? All good options. Good luck in finding an end to your journey!
   — Shelly S.

October 4, 2003
I'm in the same boat as you, but not quite ready to plastic surgery so I haven't had a consult yet. I do have these three links to finance companies though; you can apply online or over the phone and some will allow a co-signer so that might help overcome the credit problem. http://www.p-f-s.com/consumer/ http://www.unicornfinancial.com/ http://www.healthready.com/patients/apply/default.asp?rid=515
   — sandsonik