After 5 days of my pre op diet, hundreds of dollars later I get a phone call yesterday saying that I hadn't reached my deductible for insurance and I would have to pay $2,400 before surgery. Well I don't have that much and neither does anyone else. My parents had said they would cover the cost but weren't expecting it to be that much and didn't have that much saved... So Friday morning I get to call and cancel my July 15th surgery.... I am utterly heartbroken!!

Usually u can make payments. I was sleeved on may 22 n making installments on my deductible.

I have heard that most surgeons accept Care Credit.

If my boyfriend applies for this could I use it for me? I'm currently unemployed due to mobility issues. So I won't qualify for anything

He will have to co sign for you for you to be able to use it.

I'm in NY and medicaid here is handle by private insurance companies like HIP, UnitedHealth, BCBS, etc. 99% of them cover WLS. We don't have straight medicaid here anymore. Everyone that had medicaid had to opt in to their choice of insurance company. I don't know how straight medicaid would work in Michigan. I would assume they would cover it. Can u opt into an insurance carrier?

That's what I'm thinking. But I don't know if it could be just that easy.

Hey girl.. You want WLS or easy!

GO GET IT.. Don't give in, work your assoff and go after it anyway you can!

Good luck!

do not give up. Stay on the protein shakes, keep exercising. In the meantime could your folks use a credit card or take a loan that you can pay off??? Talk to everyone you know and ask for small loans from each one. Every dollar you can get your hands on is a dollar less you need for surgery. Can you sell or pawn anything? I know it's not easy but I've done it. Keep your chin up.

I would have had to pay $47,000 in Vermont. I sobbed for two days realizing I could never afford to do it. Now I'm going to Mexico but still had to figure out how to pay for it.

So maybe this can help you. I went to my credit union and they "loaned" me money against what I had in savings. Here's how it works: If you have any savings $2,500 for example, they freeze the money and create a loan. They set up a monthly payment according to what you can pay up,to 10years. They give you a check for $2,500. When you make you first payment of 25 dollars, then the credit union releases $25 dollars from you savings account so you have access to it again. The interest rate is 2.5 percent. You are essentially loaning yourself money. Maybe a family member can set up a loan like this for you where you make the payments.

Good luck. My surgery is in Mexico for $5,200, airfare is $2,200. Expensive but not $47,000.

If my boyfriend applies for this could I use it for me? I'm currently unemployed due to mobility issues. So I won't qualify for anything

Yes you can!!! We use our care credit card for our dogs!!!! As long as someone pays they don't care!!!

Sorry, I forgot to say my sister is coming with me and I'm paying for her airfare too and hotel. She knows she had to work for me. I'm covering her food too but since she was sleeved last year, (fully paid for by her insurance company in NYC ) (can you detect my tone of irony and my extreme jealously), I know she won't be eating much. Ha. Did I say that outloud?

Don't give up. How important is this to you??? Where there is a will there is a way.you can do this.

Please check out this website that gives out grants for Weight Loss surgery: It's the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America.

Full Grant Applications will be accepted July 1, 2013 – December 2013.

*Qualified surgeons can refer patients in need. Referred patients may submit a completed application packet to the WLSFA between dates listed above.

*Qualified surgeons are US Bariatric Surgeons that are ASMBS Center of Excellence Certified & members of FACS or have ACS BSCN Accreditation & members of FACS. US Plastic Surgeon who are Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ASPS

Who is Qualified to Refer Patients for Grants?

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Doctors must refer patients with the WLSFA online Referral form. A referral letter from the Doctors office is not accepted.

If you are a referred patient: Access the Referral Guidelines and application forms CLICK HERE

If you are a qualified surgeon:

Please send an email to Send Email to request a password to our secure online Referral Form.

The referral process is on line and secure. Your surgeon will request a password via email and they can complete their referral form on line. Referring doctors will be required to print a copy of the referral to give to the applicant to include in their application packet.

To Help You Prepare

All referred applicants must be 18 years old or older and will be asked to provide the following required information with their grant application:

· A letter of referral from your surgeons office via the WLSFA online Form.

· A Completed Application Form

· A Completed Financial Questionnaire

· If Insured: Verification of insurance denial – including appeal

· Verification of loan denial from three different sources

· Verification of public assistance denial ( Medicaid, Medicare, State Programs) (If quailified for these programs)

· Contact information for character references

All applicants must answer the following questions:

· Agree to raise 10% of the funds required for your grant? (The WLSFA will assist in the fundraiser)

· Willing to be an Ambassador for the WLSFA? Appear on Television, Radio, Print and On -Line

· For Weight Loss Surgery Only – Agree to attend support group provided or recommended by your surgeon for one year

The Selection Process:

The selection committee bases it’s decisions on financial hardship and patient effort only.

All required information must be submitted with the application including an essay. The essay can be up to five type written pages telling your story. The Blinded grant application (the applicants name and contact information is removed) along with the surgeons referral is reviewed by the selection committee who selects the finalists. The board of directors of the WLSFA choose the actual grant recipients from the finalists for each grant cycle. The number of grants awarded is based on the funds raised in that grant cycle. There is no guarantee any grants will be awarded.- See more at: http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/#sthash.N5ofEYyf.dpuf'>http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/#sthash.N5ofEYyf.dpuf

Full Grant Applications will be accepted July 1, 2013 – December 2013.

*Qualified surgeons can refer patients in need. Referred patients may submit a completed application packet to the WLSFA between dates listed above.

*Qualified surgeons are US Bariatric Surgeons that are ASMBS Center of Excellence Certified & members of FACS or have ACS BSCN Accreditation & members of FACS. US Plastic Surgeon who are Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ASPS

Who is Qualified to Refer Patients for Grants?

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Doctors must refer patients with the WLSFA online Referral form. A referral letter from the Doctors office is not accepted.

If you are a referred patient: Access the Referral Guidelines and application forms CLICK HERE

If you are a qualified surgeon:

Please send an email to Send Email to request a password to our secure online Referral Form.

The referral process is on line and secure. Your surgeon will request a password via email and they can complete their referral form on line. Referring doctors will be required to print a copy of the referral to give to the applicant to include in their application packet.

To Help You Prepare

All referred applicants must be 18 years old or older and will be asked to provide the following required information with their grant application:

· A letter of referral from your surgeons office via the WLSFA online Form.

· A Completed Application Form

· A Completed Financial Questionnaire

· If Insured: Verification of insurance denial – including appeal

· Verification of loan denial from three different sources

· Verification of public assistance denial ( Medicaid, Medicare, State Programs) (If quailified for these programs)

· Contact information for character references

All applicants must answer the following questions:

· Agree to raise 10% of the funds required for your grant? (The WLSFA will assist in the fundraiser)

· Willing to be an Ambassador for the WLSFA? Appear on Television, Radio, Print and On -Line

· For Weight Loss Surgery Only – Agree to attend support group provided or recommended by your surgeon for one year

The Selection Process:

The selection committee bases it’s decisions on financial hardship and patient effort only.

All required information must be submitted with the application including an essay. The essay can be up to five type written pages telling your story. The Blinded grant application (the applicants name and contact information is removed) along with the surgeons referral is reviewed by the selection committee who selects the finalists. The board of directors of the WLSFA choose the actual grant recipients from the finalists for each grant cycle. The number of grants awarded is based on the funds raised in that grant cycle. There is no guarantee any grants will be awarded.- See more at: http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/#sthash.N5ofEYyf.dpuf'>http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/#sthash.N5ofEYyf.dpuf

http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/

Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America

Saving lives one grant at a time

Top of Form

Grants

Full Grant Applications will be accepted July 1, 2013 – December 2013.

*Qualified surgeons can refer patients in need. Referred patients may submit a completed application packet to the WLSFA between dates listed above.

*Qualified surgeons are US Bariatric Surgeons that are ASMBS Center of Excellence Certified & members of FACS or have ACS BSCN Accreditation & members of FACS. US Plastic Surgeon who are Board Certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons ASPS

Who is Qualified to Refer Patients for Grants?

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Doctors must refer patients with the WLSFA online Referral form. A referral letter from the Doctors office is not accepted.

If you are a referred patient: Access the Referral Guidelines and application forms CLICK HERE

If you are a qualified surgeon:

Please send an email to Send Email to request a password to our secure online Referral Form.

The referral process is on line and secure. Your surgeon will request a password via email and they can complete their referral form on line. Referring doctors will be required to print a copy of the referral to give to the applicant to include in their application packet.

To Help You Prepare

All referred applicants must be 18 years old or older and will be asked to provide the following required information with their grant application:

· A letter of referral from your surgeons office via the WLSFA online Form.

· A Completed Application Form

· A Completed Financial Questionnaire

· If Insured: Verification of insurance denial – including appeal

· Verification of loan denial from three different sources

· Verification of public assistance denial ( Medicaid, Medicare, State Programs) (If quailified for these programs)

· Contact information for character references

All applicants must answer the following questions:

· Agree to raise 10% of the funds required for your grant? (The WLSFA will assist in the fundraiser)

· Willing to be an Ambassador for the WLSFA? Appear on Television, Radio, Print and On -Line

· For Weight Loss Surgery Only – Agree to attend support group provided or recommended by your surgeon for one year

The Selection Process:

The selection committee bases it’s decisions on financial hardship and patient effort only.

All required information must be submitted with the application including an essay. The essay can be up to five type written pages telling your story. The Blinded grant application (the applicants name and contact information is removed) along with the surgeons referral is reviewed by the selection committee who selects the finalists. The board of directors of the WLSFA choose the actual grant recipients from the finalists for each grant cycle. The number of grants awarded is based on the funds raised in that grant cycle. There is no guarantee any grants will be awarded

- See more at: http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/#sthash.N5ofEYyf.dpuf'>http://www.wlsfa.org/looking-for-help/#sthash.N5ofEYyf.dpuf

Oops. guess I didn't keep track of all the cutting and pasting. sorry for repeating it three times..

GREAT advice.

IM BACK ON FOR SURGERY!! July 15th here I come!!!!

Thank you all for your support and encouragement and ideas. Down payment of 1,000 dollars and monthly installments for the rest!!

I love you all

Awesome!!!!