Question:
What do you do if you don't have insurance?

I don't have insurance, and I was just wondering if there's a special company that deals with just the WLS? I am 20 years old and 280 lbs! I don't like who I am on the inside and outside. I know some poeple who have had the surgery done before and I've been thinking that the surgery is the right thing for me to do. If anyone could help me with the information about the insurance that would be great.    — Raelyn D. (posted on April 10, 2004)

April 10, 2004
I didnt have insurance either and i had surgery almost 7 months ago through vocational rehabilitation. I couldnt get a decent job or really live day to day. they paid for it...and to date i have lost almost 125 pds and over 80 inches...it can be done if it affects your day to day life. its worth checking into good luck love Amy lap rny 9-16-03 260/137/?
   — cinamoni

April 10, 2004
I have ins. but it does not cover wls. I am now a self pay. I have had to take out a loan so could have surgery. I am gong through Capitalone.com, using there cosmetic fee plan. The interest rate varies depending on how much you borrow and for how long, up to 60 months. Good luck.
   — bubbleboo K.

April 11, 2004
I didn't have insurance...or a job(stay at home mom). So I went in search of a job that had insurance that would cover it. From the time I started my job search and surgery was 10 months, but it was done. So that's an option.
   — RebeccaP

April 11, 2004
I work at a hospital that performs bariatric surgery. I will be having the surgery there and after my insurance pays their portion the hospital writes the rest off as a benefit to thier employess. So I don't have to pay for anything. If my insurance does not approve me and won't pay I will have to take out a loan. My hospital will give me a 25% discount on inpatient stays. That would be my suggestion...find a job at a hospital that performs the surgery so you can have it there and get a discount (most offer dicounts to employees)...make sure you check to see if the insurance plan that you choose covers the surgery first. Some employers will offer health insurance to part-time employees too. There are a lot of entry level clerical jobs in hospitals,cafeteria jobs,cleaning jobs...so you don't have to have a healthcare background. I hope this helps.
   — Kara J.

April 11, 2004
Hi Raelyn, Sounds like maybe one of the things you could investigate is being a self-pay patient. That's what I ended up having to do, after going through two insurance companies who had air-tight exclusions for anything weight related. We appealed to my husband's employer, asking them to change the insurance product that they purchased so that it would include WLS, but they pretty much told me to take a flying leap. So, I ended up self-paying. I went to Spain for my surgery - my surgeon is Dr. Aniceto Baltasar - one of the world's best bariatric surgeons, and a total sweetheart, to boot! For everything all tolled - surgery, traveling, etc - it was $15,800. If you'd like to know more about the Spain option, you can check out www.bodybybaltasar.com There is also a Yahoo group for out of country surgical options - you can find it at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-OutofCountryWLS Hope that helps! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

April 11, 2004
Raelyn,have you thought about having the Lapband? It is a little slower loss in the beginning but about the same after 2 years. It is cheaper than the ryn and generally has fewer complications such as malnutrition, vomiting, and vitamin deficiencies. (I chose the lapband because my sister had the ryn and died 58 days later due to complications. And NO she was not a high risk patient,her problems were severe arthritis and joint problems, she was in need of both knees replaced and her dr. recommended the wls before he would do a knee replacement.She turned 50 6 days before she died.) Not everyone who dies from the ryn is a high risk. My problems were almost identical to hers except I also had high BP. Since I had the Lapband (4months ago)I am off of BP meds totally and the joint problems are much better. I have lost -54lbs and 48" :-). I have been very happy with the band. If you have any questions please let me know I will be glad to help all I can.Good luck, Mary
   — mary K.

April 11, 2004
There have been a lot of good ideas here for you!! I have a very good job, and my insurance would not pay....finding a new job was out of the question, so I turned to self pay. I had open RNY, I am now 7 1/2 months post-op and have lost 111 pounds. I went to Mexico for surgery and paid $6900.00. I hope you find the option that works for you...don't give up if you really want surgery....where there is a will there is a way.
   — jennap