When The Dream Ends...

[bubblesbgood 29]

back in june i had the pleasure of talking to some of you as i was awaiting my crapband removal and hopefully my new sleeve. when they went to remove my band it was busted in 3 places and covered in put, they found numerous adhesions as well as the mesh that was supposed to be covering the large hernia that almost killed me in 09 (see the tell us your story section) in a big coil with my organs attached to it. so many of you had such supportive words and one of you had even referred me to an attorney that i am now using. lo and behold i started to get bills that were marked "insurance maximum reached" when i called my insurance it was to my surprise due to the fact that they say i have reached my lifetime maximum. therefore my dream has come to an end i currently weight the most ive ever weighed in my life 293lbs, with no hope of ever being able to afford the surgery on my own, my co-morbities have all returned and im alone. i wanted to thank you for all of your support and help you are a great bunch of people and may God bless you! you will never know what your kind words meant to me.

[Lissa 2,631]

Please don't let your dream end. There are MANY fine, competent surgeons who will take on a self-pay patient, even ones who have complications from the band.

I'm reading your post as if your dream is over because of financial issues. If it's over because of medical issues, I'm so sorry. I do remember reading your saga a few months ago and I wondered what had happened for you.

I will keep you in my prayers that things work out for the best for you. Please keep us, or at least me, updated. Good luck.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Hi! I am so sorry. I was wondering if you are able to get new insurance?

Or maybe even try to get your surgery in Mexico? Lots of success stories from people who have gone out of the states for surgery.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Hey, this sounds more like a good bye letter and that scares me! This is not the end to your journey. If your feeling like there's no hope, then I'm going to tell you your wrong! You hit a bump in the road. The surgery might not be this year, it can be down the road in the near future. This would be a good time to seek some help to help you over the bump. There are ways to do things differently. Please hear me.

[COsleeveDude 273]

As much as your situation sucks and I'm sorry for your troubles, I would look at some other options before taking the fatalistic approach. How about switching insurance plans during open enrollment? Mexico? Obamacare:

Obamacare prohibits lifetime limits (A cap on the total lifetime benefits you may get from your insurance company) on most benefits in any health plan or insurance policy issued or renewed on or after September 23, 2010. In 2014, Obamacare prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits (a cap on the benefits your insurance company will pay in a year) on the amount of coverage an individual may receive.

http://thanksobamaca...index.php?id=11

Good luck.

[DebInAZ 76]

From what I just read it sounds like you and your attorney may have your Dr. , hospital, and the maker of the lap-band by the SHORT HAIRS!!!

Keep your chin up, you may soon be able to buy many sleeves or what ever your heart desires

[funkeechiggen 135]

I thought lifetime limits were off the table as part of health care reform!?

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/03/20120305a.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/03/04/new-data-affordable-care-act-your-state

Regardless, and to what Lisa said, please don't give up! Where there's a will, there's a way!

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

I pray you respond. You're post seems like you are saying goodbye. Please reach out, don't give up!!

[Bmarion662 76]

Get a self pay insurance and drop your company insurance at open enrollment. The new insurance can not deny pre existing

[bubblesbgood 29]

ty for all of your responses i cant afford to self pay thats the problem...im already 7000 in debt thanks to insurance not letting me know i even had a lifetime maximum. this has been the worst journey i have ever been on and quite frankly there is no where else to turn yes i have an attorney we just started the lawsuit this could take upwards of how many years? in that time what do i do just get fatter as i go on and like i said all my comorbities are back so how long can i really last. just so sad...i have no choice but to give up the dream because it is so unrealistic to me now. the new law doesnt go into effect until 2014 and its only for "essential" surgeries and in case no one has noticed bariatric surgery isnt considered "essential" and never has been. just lost thats all.

[bubblesbgood 29]

Get a self pay insurance and drop your company insurance at open enrollment. The new insurance can not deny pre existing

i understand but if i cant afford to self pay i cant afford to pay for a new policy and this is a union plan so there is no choice at open enrollment believe me ive searched high and low for an answer

[zenoosh 112]

Go to MEXICO! Start saving now, or get a small loan from a credit union...this does not have to be the end of your sleeve dream...There are many great surgeons that practice out of the US, where costs are prohibitive. Check it out!

[zenoosh 112]

As much as your situation sucks and I'm sorry for your troubles, I would look at some other options before taking the fatalistic approach. How about switching insurance plans during open enrollment? Mexico? Obamacare:

Obamacare prohibits lifetime limits (A cap on the total lifetime benefits you may get from your insurance company) on most benefits in any health plan or insurance policy issued or renewed on or after September 23, 2010. In 2014, Obamacare prohibits new plans and existing group plans from imposing annual dollar limits (a cap on the benefits your insurance company will pay in a year) on the amount of coverage an individual may receive.

http://thanksobamaca...index.php?id=11

Good luck.

Thank you for bringing up OBAMACARE! I work in healthcare and have already seen many of the advantages of the Affordable Care Act...It really bugs when people diss it and they have NO idea what is included...Obamacare ROCKS! And seriously, to the OP, do some research on MEXICO,or another surgeon that will work with selfpay clients. This can happen for you :-).

[Delena2/11 59]

First of all, please listen to all of these people that have taken time to reach out to you. We have all been there. We all understand how it would feel to have this opportunity ripped away from us. I understand more than you know. We have all hit that wall or we would not even entertain the idea of this surgery!

I hear you that you are in debt already but you can take steps to make things happen. Look into a self pay surgeon. See if you cannot make payments to them. Or, there is always tax time, right? Good investment for that tax refund! Seriously, where there is a will there is a way!

I also think that you sound like you are in a dark place emotionally. If you can talk to a professional maybe it would help. I have depression and believe me, I have been in that bleak place where nothing seems to be positive.

I'm sorry for writing a book here! But we have a lot in common. In 2009 I was attempting to get the band. (Boy am I glad now that didn't work out!) I did not know about the sleeve at the time. I went to my Psych eval and I FAILED!!! The Psychologist diagnosed me with depression. My dream was dashed just like yours was. I felt like I hit the wall but in actuality it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I got treatment and learned a lot about myself. I like to think that this knowledge will help me be successful post op. I have been approved by my insurance after being denied! If this is your path you will find it. Perhaps you have other things you need to address prior to starting on this journey? Only you can answer that question. Best of luck to you! I you need to talk please know that I am here.

[Patienlywtng on my Curves 73]

What about WLSFA? Can you research and see if they will be able to fund you? I will continue to pray as well.