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Can't afford my fills, help!



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I really need some help. I had surgery over 4 years ago. I initially lost about 60 lbs. I lost my job in October of 2009, and had my last fill in Nov 2009. I started my weight loss surgery at 272lbs. I am back up to 243lbs. My lowest weight was 219lbs. I can not afford to pay for the fills, as they are about $250.00 and my doctor will not take credit cards. Can anyone please help me find a doctor that will help me by taking a credit card for a fill? I need to try to get back to losing weight instead of gaining. I am very depressed, and am at my wits end. I had to pay for my surgery, and that cost me $18000 cash. Please help!!!

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Have you called the area hospital and asked for help? Sometimes teaching ones will help. I live in Boston and we are noted for having lots of teaching hospitals. Also, call the lap band manufacturer and ask for help and how to handle this.

Good luck.

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That was the main reason why I didn't want the lap band. That's too much. I'm so sorry you are going through that, hopefully you will be able to find someone. Look on the web for other doctors in your area that does lap band surgeries. I'm sure someone will take a credit card.

Good luck

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As one of the previous posters stated, start with one of the University Hospitals in your state. They are set up for helping people that can't pay. I wish you the best.

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That was the main reason why I didn't want the lap band. That's too much. I'm so sorry you are going through that, hopefully you will be able to find someone. Look on the web for other doctors in your area that does lap band surgeries. I'm sure someone will take a credit card.

Good luck

I am from MA where Romneycare started and now there is Obarmacare. People may complain but because of Romneycare I have wonderful health insurance that pays for everything. My very sick husband maybe would be dead if not for this wonderful insurance. Look into Obarmacare.

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Go to the top of this page and click on the "Surgeons" tab. Click on the "surgeons near you" link. Input your zip code and state and click on "Locate Surgeons". Start calling. Ask each one about support groups and attend one or two. Good luck.

Edited by 2muchfun

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That was the main reason why I didn't want the lap band. That's too much. I'm so sorry you are going through that, hopefully you will be able to find someone. Look on the web for other doctors in your area that does lap band surgeries. I'm sure someone will take a credit card.

Good luck

I am from MA where Romneycare started and now there is Obarmacare. People may complain but because of Romneycare I have wonderful health insurance that pays for everything. My very sick husband maybe would be dead if not for this wonderful insurance. Look into Obarmacare.

Depends on what kind of insurance you have? Can you sign up for Obamacare? There's no guarantee the plan will offer bariatrics as many state plans don't, but it's certainly worth a try.

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i like the answers above. especially trying a teaching hospital or calling the lapband manu. pharmaceudical companies have a lot of programs we are just not aware of they might be of help. i also thought that since you wanted to pay with a credit card use one of the checks that usually come with your statement or go to the cc company website and get a cash advance on the amount of fills you think you will be getting. i don't endorse this but it is another avenue.

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Best wishes, sorry that you have that problem. I know, many surgeon's offices take credit cards. Good advice above! Karen..aka.kll724

I had my surgery on Oct 30, 2009!

Edited by kll724

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I guess the worse case would be taking a cash advance against your credit card. My doctor charges 250 also, if you have to pay for the appointment but they do take credit cards. I pay a 20. co pay and use my debit card all the time.

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Since you had lost your job, do you have a new one now (hence, a new insurance plan)? Perhaps, if you do, your new insurance would cover this. I do like the idea of checking with a teaching hospital as well. Also, if you could find a Bariatric Clinic they seem to be less expensive than traditional surgeons through hospitals.

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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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.

        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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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    • bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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