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I am pending approval and my insurance will pay 60% of costs. I have no cap on remaining costs and it's creeping to an estimated $12,000. We can afford this but I feel so guilty because I am fat and need this to be successful. I have lost and gained back more than I can count. How do you put a price on health? How come this makes me feel ashamed? I am probably suffering some sticker shock. Just need to vent a bit.

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I felt the same way. When you get on the loser's bench the guilt will dissipate because you will realize that this is worth EVERY penny and then some. I really beat myself up over the fact that I needed surgery to lose weight. Looking back, I wish I'd not been so hard on myself.

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I didn't have to pay anything out of pocket but still found a way to feel guilty. How could I inconvenience my husband who is the sole bread winner with having to take care of me? I think we are so ashame that we let it get this far that we would feel guilty no matter what. You are worth it so go forward without and guilt!

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Don't feel guilty about spending that money on yourself. Think of it this way...you will be spending a lot less on medical bills for health problems related to obesity once you have started losing weight. This is a health investment and an investment in your future. You are worth it. Good luck with your surgery and enjoy the process of getting healthy. In the long run you will come out ahead in the financial department.

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You folks with $12,000 of "uncovered expenses" need to put your big-girl negotiating panties on. Go to the hospital and say, "I'll pay you what BCBS / United Healthcare / Medicare pays you."

Otherwise, you'll be paying retail and then some -- and probably 3 to 4 times what the hospital would be paid for those items if your insurance were paying for them.

Trufax.

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I was self pay all the way...I know how you feel. I figured so far with my trip to Las Vegas, subsequent follow up visits with local doc and testing, I'm into this $13,000.

I'm fortunate that we had the resources to do this without affecting our lifestyle, but at times I do feel guilty that something I needed costs so much money.

There are other days that I feel you can't put a price tag on the benefits - I'm more active, I'm more engaged in my family life, I'm happier, I'm healthier, etc.

What I would tell you is, if your family is on board, try your best to not feel guilty. They are going to get a better version of you on the other side.

Best of luck to you!

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You folks with $12,000 of "uncovered expenses" need to put your big-girl negotiating panties on. Go to the hospital and say, "I'll pay you what BCBS / United Healthcare / Medicare pays you." Otherwise, you'll be paying retail and then some -- and probably 3 to 4 times what the hospital would be paid for those items if your insurance were paying for them. Trufax.

I get what you are saying but we have a bariatric rider in the policy that requires 40% out of pocket. Nothing to be done about it I am afraid. Thanks

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I was self pay all the way...I know how you feel. I figured so far with my trip to Las Vegas, subsequent follow up visits with local doc and testing, I'm into this $13,000. I'm fortunate that we had the resources to do this without affecting our lifestyle, but at times I do feel guilty that something I needed costs so much money. There are other days that I feel you can't put a price tag on the benefits - I'm more active, I'm more engaged in my family life, I'm happier, I'm healthier, etc. What I would tell you is, if your family is on board, try your best to not feel guilty. They are going to get a better version of you on the other side. Best of luck to you!

Thank you, it's easy to focus on what I feel I am "costing" or taking away from my family. My husband has prostate cancer, thankfully seems surgery was successful earlier this year. No vacation (though many years we could not afford that anyway) and I will not have the leave to attend our oldest daughters grad school graduation in December after surgery. I don't have issues with co morbitites yet but I am pretty sure they are knocking on the door. My bmi is 49.

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I felt very guilty about the $14,000 we shelled out. It took a lot of encouragement from my husband and family to move forward with this decision. But you know what? After going through with it, I have found that I can give my family back a better, healthier, more energetic me! This is working and truth be told, I should've done it sooner...

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I would suggest you pick up a supplemental policy through obamacare and see if one of the options can help pick up the out of pocket

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I was self-pay and ended paying what you're paying - with no insurance picking up part of the bill. I don't know where you're located, which can make a difference, but your price seems very high to me.

Good luck!

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I was self-pay and ended paying what you're paying - with no insurance picking up part of the bill. I don't know where you're located, which can make a difference, but your price seems very high to me. <br><br> Good luck!

I am in Georgia. Part of the issue is I have it go to center of distinction for insurance to pay. They cost more. It's not the finance that stresses me as much as doing something so expensive for just me. It's hard to accept that I deserve this chance. Though I would do it In a heartbeat for anyone else in my family. I fell like it's my fault diets have failed.

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Do not feel bad about it. It was the best thing I have ever done!! Do this for yourself. Please! Do not feel guilty, ashamed or anything. Be proud that you have the courage and ability to do this for yourself.

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