Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🎉 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

Raising money to private pay

readyforchange101013

Recommended Posts

readyforchange101013    15

readyforchange101013
Posted

After going through 5 months of my 7 month insurance diet, I found out that they weren't going to cover it even if I appealed. So I was very upset. 6 months later I found myself really sick and my doctor suggested the sleeve again. So I found out about private pay. I didn't want to go to Mexico because I have my heart set on a surgeon here, so I needed to come up with 15,000 dollars! (And let's just say that's not something easy to come by for me) after selling most of my possessions, getting support from family, and the prayers of many people, I find myself needing just a little more... but I have set a deadline for myself. I'm so confident in raising this money that my pre-op appointment is October 2nd, which will put my surgery during the 2nd week of october!!!! I just KNOW its going to be worth it. But i have to get that money In. Does anyone have any creative ideas to get that last few thousand to cover it?

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

AtlantaRed    651

AtlantaRed
Posted

Did you try Care Credit? I tried United Health Medical because my husband already had a Care Credit card. He asked for an increase in his limit because it was at $4100 and we hadn't used it in 2 years. They only increased it to $7500. United Health Medical was going to give me $7600. I applied for my own Care Credit. I asked for $18,500 as that's how much my surgery will be and they gave me a limit of $16,700!!

So, with Care Credit, his card and mine, we have it covered.

Good luck!

TES reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

CassieWNY    100

CassieWNY
Posted

See if your employer will let you borrow from your 401K

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

readyforchange101013    15

readyforchange101013
Posted

Surgeon does not take care credit, nor can I get anything from 401K... Lol

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

TES    858

TES
Posted

Surgeon does not take care credit, nor can I get anything from 401K... Lol

If you have a 401K, you should be able to get a loan. You might also qualify for a "hardship" withdrawal (just be sure to put money aside for taxes). Good luck!!!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

jensjoy28    351

jensjoy28
Posted

Could you get a credit card with a 0% interest period? Then your dr could run a portion on the card (or you could get a cash advance) and then make monthly payments over the 0% period...how about an unsecured, personal loan through a bank or credit union? (that's what I did).

As far as creative ways to raise money relatively quickly...not sure I've ever really thought about that, and this is not necessarily a "gem" ...but how about doing a "walk-a-thon" where people would pledge money for ea lap you walked...remember they did those as fundraisers when I was a kid...would guess there are some online resources you could look to for quick templates for how to structure...but that seems to be a way to show your commitment to getting healthy with the chance of raising a little money from a lot of people...or finding a local 5k or 10k and asking for pledges from people based on you completing it.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

jensjoy28    351

jensjoy28
Posted

Oh, also something that I know is out there are websites where you can try to elicit funds from people to "fund your life". Here is a link to a story that talks about this "Internet phenomenon"

http://www.techworld.com.au/article/415094/crowd-funding_site_offers_open_alternative_kickstarter/

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

AtlantaRed    651

AtlantaRed
Posted

My doctor's office also accepted Springstone financing along with Care Credit.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

lucky8mb1    167

lucky8mb1
Posted

Can you get a second job? Even if it's just long enough to raise the money you need...not necessarily something permanent.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

readyforchange101013    15

readyforchange101013
Posted

Can you get a second job? Even if it's just long enough to raise the money you need...not necessarily something permanent.

great idea! But, thankfully things moved alone, I live on a farm and we sold some cows. I have my date now and all is well. Thank you all for the help!!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

jensjoy28    351

jensjoy28
Posted

great idea! But' date=' thankfully things moved alone, I live on a farm and we sold some cows. I have my date now and all is well. Thank you all for the help!![/quote']

Now why didn't we think to suggest selling some cows? ;-). Glad it worked out. Best of luck to you as you continue on this journey.

HappyCat and SuperFab reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

SuperFab    689

SuperFab
Posted

Now why didn't we think to suggest selling some cows? ;-). Glad it worked out. Best of luck to you as you continue on this journey.

I just spewed my tea laughing at this

jensjoy28 reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

TeresaRN    57

TeresaRN
Posted

Apply for credit cards.. Go to a credit union ask for a loan. Ask if you can make payments!!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

readyforchange101013    15

readyforchange101013
Posted

Now why didn't we think to suggest selling some cows? ;-). Glad it worked out. Best of luck to you as you continue on this journey.

That's what I'm wondering. Haha! I guess you have to do what you have to do! Thanks! :)

jensjoy28 reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      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

        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

      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

        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.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        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.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    Bariatric Forums

    For Patients

    Health Professionals

    Search Surgeons

    Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

    ×