grammyto2

From experience I can say its extremely difficult to prove what happens at work, because everyone's afraid to speak the truth in fear of retaliation....and although its illegal it happens just the same. I'm fortunate to have wonderful adult children, grandkids, a boyfriend, siblings and parents to support me when I'm down! Thanks for input.

No, only one person at work is aware of my plans for surgery, and that's exactly the way I intend on keeping it. Thank you for being kind! HR, and Mgt, are the very ones that unfortunately perpetuate this kind of behavior here I'm in a "man's world" literally! And no, not all men behave like this, just the majority of the ones that work here. I appreciate your concern and ideas, but they will only cause my job to be more difficult daily.

I agree he's an Ass, and I too wonder why people are so cruel! Thanks

Thank you SO.... if it weren't for the fact of drawing even more attention to myself by making charges I'd do so, but I work in a male dominated factory (like 13 women to 135 men), and I've been down that stream before to end up on the bottom and being ridiculed by the others for doing so...its as bad as being the singer!

IMHO all genders want to feel loved, beautiful, and special, regardless off their weight, height, religion, etc... But for some reason there is always that one particular person (or more) whom feels it's their responsibility to announce to others any and every fault you may have, and it hurts!!! I'm so humiliated every time this person says "sing, cuz we know it ain't over till the fat lady sings," refering to me! I've told him this is mean and hurtful and that I don't address the many flaws I feel he has...btw he is a co-worker/"friend"! I know he's only joking, but I am obese, (hate that truth), and it makes me extremely self conscious and I want to hide, if not for the need to earn money here I'd never leave my abode ever!! I'm overly sensitive, and yes I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve! Hopefully within the next several months I'll being wearing a sleeve internally instead, and I'll grow that "THICK" skin he says I need!! I know that its ridiculous for a woman in her late 40's to allow this to affect me, but the fact is that it does and that's That! I posted here because I plan on having surgery in Mexico if all works out.

I'm not sure because we have till mid March to use up the funds from the previous year...but yes I should find out for sure if that would apply to having surgery too. Thanks!

Thank you shoelover, you made my day with your response! It is very similar to a debit card from banks, or credit unions, being that every pay period you put in a certain amount of money up to the amount allowed by govt. per year, which adjusts your gross income for taxes. But the money you put in this account can only go towards medical bills insurance doesn't cover, prescriptions, co pays etc... and I believe it can't be used towards cosmetic surgeries. Anyhow you receive a credit/debit card to use in place of paying for services rendered out of pocket then being reimbursed later, you swipe the card and its paid from your FSA!

Using funds in an FSA account to pay for sleeve in Mexico...does anyone know if this is legal and doable using funds b4 March 15 from this year, and $5,000 dollars in next years for surgery in January 2013, or February? Kind of excited about this possibility, but not putting the cart ahead of the horse just yet...lol

When having surgery in MX are you required to go there more than one time before surgery? What about after...? Does it depend on MD chosen? Thanks in advance for answering! Sorry typing on phone is not so easy...lol

If you've already had all the lab stuff done here in states will any of the surgeons in Mexico except those, and reduce the price for vsg?

I appreciate your views on Mexico, and support. Thank you! And now I'm heading over to the forum mentioned!

Emlefe you are 100% correct with your information thank you! And my friend does owe that amount after surgery unfortunately. I think IMHO the ball was dropped somewhere along the way and that she should have had a better understanding herself as well as from surgeons, coordinators,hospital, etc...on the over all expense out of pocket! And thank all of you for your input. I'm considering Mexico as an option, so researching starts all over. Any thoughts about Mexico?

I thought the hospital would be the $300 x 2nights=$600 then the 90/10 under hospitalization part and the surgery under the bariatrics max life amount of $10k. All other tests and procedures under the 90/10 plan and ded., and max out of pocket is $2000 but not bariatrics. Ins. is so hard to figure out...requires a college degree!! Ughhhh

$10,000.00 max lifetime, $2,000.00 ded., $300.00 hospital, $35.00 co pay per visit specialist, and 90/10, also in network only....so how does one end up with hospital bill of $22,000.00 (remember they're in network also) for vsg after already paying surgeons $2,000.00 out of pocket, and being approved by Bcbs ga a friend had this surgery and this is the bill from hospital...I too share same ins. And this makes me uneasy....

From seminar to surgery how long was your journey? Why was it so short/long? and are you happy it was short/long? Curious!

Oops sorry! Should have posted in post op.

From seminar to surgery how long did it take you, and why so short or long?

Thank you this helps.....a lot! Any advice to help move things along smoothly and faster for bcbs ga would be great too.

I appreciate the advice! I've already been to seminar, and have my first appointment in 2 weeks, when do I get a cordinator? Almost all of my testing has been done through my PCP before I attended seminar, and yes they can be used at center. I'm not sure how the sequence of events occurs I k.ow I still have to do psych eval. and nutritionist, and surgeon jbut not the length of time from one to the other and where the approval/denial from insurance falls into place .... Rambling, SORRY!

Thanks for responding! I have talked with bcbs ga and they even sent me policy in regards to surgery, but it only read bmi 40 plus, or bmi 35 or greater with 2 qualifying comorbidities like diabetes, hbp, and there was one more, but I can't remember....(working).....anyhow the things I mentioned were not listed. But it said like not only....so I tried to look on internet to find qualifying cms and nothing yet for my insurance. I had hoped someone else might have dealt with this insurance for similar circumstances and might possibly be able to clue me in on requirements....but the responses were helpful just the same!!

Would anyone know if a bmi of 38.74, 240lbs, high cholesterol, asthma, GERD's, sleep apnea, 48"waist, and late 40's female would be enough to qualify for wls (sleeve) through bcbs of ga? I do know my insurance covers wls but I am not 40 plus bmi nor do I have diabetes, hbp, although my mother and both of her parents have both. Just not sure my issues are qualifying comorbidities?! Thanks