My name is Kristi (byubell) and I am 35 years old. I have been overweight my whole life. At my hightes weight last December I was 321.

I work at a major health insurance company and except for a few select groups, we don't cover the surgery. I wasn't able to afford it and my husband would never have agreed to pay the note if we financed it. I believe that I am a very good employee and learned everything I could about everything that came across my plate. As a result, when we went to a new computer system, I got a promotion to systems analyst and am making a LOT more money. I could afford the monthly payment without cutting into any of out other bills. It was a gift sent from GOD. I talked to my husband, we looked at the finances and he agreed. I went to my surgeon in October, did my financing, and was sleeved on January 20th. I have since lost 67 lbs and feel like a new person. I have no regrets and would do it again in a heartbeat. I have recommended the surgery to anyone that has asked. I'm not embarassed to admit that I've had weight loss surgery. I would shout it from the rooftops if I could.

I have also worked with some actuaries about how much my medical bills would have been over the next ten years based on my medical conditions before surgery and am keeping a record of everything that I am spending medical wise after having surgery. Hopefully I can help with the fight to get the insurance companies (mine included) to start covering this surgery.

You are going to be a very valuable asset to people on this forum that have insurance questions, Welcome to our group.

Thank you for posting your very inspiring story. You've already had great success and I'm glad you feel better. Life will keep getting better as we all work towards those goals we've set. Welcome!

Welcome to the site -- you'll will definitely be an asset. Congrats on your weight loss too!

I will be happy to help anyone that I can with insurance questions. Or any other questions for that matter. Ask away!

Wow!!! I love how you found a way to be able to afford the surgery, so many people I know just say "I really want to have it but..." and give up instead of trying to find ways they could make it work! I really admire you for not giving up! I look at this like, if you had cancer and would maybe not die, but your life would be horrid in a few years, could you find $150 a month, most people would say yes. However if you're so heavy you can't walk, or in constant pain in your feet and knees, or whatever the case may be, you are not really living anymore! Your life is worth it, and I am thrilled you understood this and managed to do something about it! Welcome to the site, as some have mentioned you will be an asset!!!

Wow!!! I love how you found a way to be able to afford the surgery, so many people I know just say "I really want to have it but..." and give up instead of trying to find ways they could make it work! I really admire you for not giving up! I look at this like, if you had cancer and would maybe not die, but your life would be horrid in a few years, could you find $150 a month, most people would say yes. However if you're so heavy you can't walk, or in constant pain in your feet and knees, or whatever the case may be, you are not really living anymore! Your life is worth it, and I am thrilled you understood this and managed to do something about it! Welcome to the site, as some have mentioned you will be an asset!!!

Good way to look at it.