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Hi everyone, how are you all doing?

I'm turning 17 pretty soon, just got approved by the doctor to get the surgery however my insurance company(Cigna) will not cover anyone under 18.

The cost of the surgery is $16,250 and this Doctor has done thousands of surgeries.

I graduated from high school when I was 15 and have been overweight for nearly 7+ years. It was just a bad Portion Control and it's just incredibly difficult to change my life with normal exercise/diet. I've tried all of the diets out there, including hCG.

Currently working full time as an entrepreneur, business is my passion. I work anywhere from 80 to 100+ hours per week and used to sleeping less the 5 hours per night. I've had to grow up a lot over the past 3 years simply because of needing to take care of my family. I really need to change my health though(& put myself first), I'm almost 200lbs overweight. I weigh a few lbs from 400 and 6'4''. It's not a good situation.

This is sort of my introduction to the forum as I love the community sense since I registered and want to remain a member for a long time to come.

If you have any advice to get the money, I would really appreciate it. I currently make anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000(I have a very weird online business at the moment) but the last few months I've made nearly nothing and the reserves have dried up so I cannot pay it straight cash.

The doc said if I paid cash I can have the surgery within 2-4 weeks and I really want to change my life as soon as possible.

My dad's credit is around 560 or so right now, it won't change for at least 3 months because of something that we just fixed today. My mom's credit is even lower so I don't know how well a loan will work getting approved. The only person that "can(770 FICO)" cosign is my Grandma but she refused to help out at all.

Tino

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Hi everyone, how are you all doing?

I'm turning 17 pretty soon, just got approved by the doctor to get the surgery however my insurance company(Cigna) will not cover anyone under 18.

The cost of the surgery is $16,250 and this Doctor has done thousands of surgeries.

I graduated from high school when I was 15 and have been overweight for nearly 7+ years. It was just a bad Portion Control and it's just incredibly difficult to change my life with normal exercise/diet. I've tried all of the diets out there, including hCG.

Currently working full time as an entrepreneur, business is my passion. I work anywhere from 80 to 100+ hours per week and used to sleeping less the 5 hours per night. I've had to grow up a lot over the past 3 years simply because of needing to take care of my family. I really need to change my health though(& put myself first), I'm almost 200lbs overweight. I weigh a few lbs from 400 and 6'4''. It's not a good situation.

This is sort of my introduction to the forum as I love the community sense since I registered and want to remain a member for a long time to come.

If you have any advice to get the money, I would really appreciate it. I currently make anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000(I have a very weird online business at the moment) but the last few months I've made nearly nothing and the reserves have dried up so I cannot pay it straight cash.

The doc said if I paid cash I can have the surgery within 2-4 weeks and I really want to change my life as soon as possible.

My dad's credit is around 560 or so right now, it won't change for at least 3 months because of something that we just fixed today. My mom's credit is even lower so I don't know how well a loan will work getting approved. The only person that "can(770 FICO)" cosign is my Grandma but she refused to help out at all.

Tino

Hi Tino...16k seems a bit steep for your surgery. Maybe since you are paying cash you can get some type of discount. Try to work out a lower price with your surgeon. Also, try neighboring cities with different doctors...best of luck and don't get discouraged!!

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16k does seem a bit, he said it included 2 nights hospital stay, 3 months followup and a little more. I have chosen this surgeon because he has done almost 6,000 surgeries but I am definitely open to more solutions.

Thank you for your advice.

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Have you gave Mexico any thought? I think I have seen it priced around 5000.00. Have you tried nopatientleftbehind.com They are through My Medical Loan. You have to come up with half and the loan has to be over the amount of 3000.00. Hope it helps and good luck.

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Thanks Shana16,

I've been moving the past 2 weeks so been very busy and couldn't get back to forum.

Been speaking with my dad extensively about Mexico but there seems to be no movement on the subject. I really want to make this happen but 16k is so far away and my insurance won't cover under 18 anymore.

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I know that it seems like 18 is a lifetime away. You sound incredibly ambitious and capable with your life. Taking on debt right now may not be the best idea. I don't want to be a downer, but it might be best for you to wait a little while until you have the money or you turn 18 and can have insurance cover the surgery.

I know it is hard when you want the surgery so badly. Hang in there---

Lara

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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