Hello Everybody,

I am new to the forum and just wanted to introduce myself. I am Adrienne, otherwise known as Social Introvert on here! I have been perusing vsg for well over 2 years now. I am one of those patients that doesn't have any co-morbitities, but I'm not quite at 40 bmi either.... Like 39.6 bmi! Ugg! Anyway, as far as having insurance cover my surgery isn't looking good! I have new insurance next month through my husbands job, so I'll see what is covered then. Question, has anyone ever had insurance that will help cover some things but not necessarily the surgery itself? Things like psych, and nutrition? Or is it one of those things that if your insurance isn't covering anything, you don't have to go through all of that stuff because essentially I'll be a self pay? I can't seem to find any clarity on this subject. Anyway, I just wanted to stop in, say hello, get my feet wet, and ask a few questions.

Welcome to the forums! I can't help with insurance but just wanted to say hello and enjoy

Thank you!

I did self pay. Once you say, I'm buying! the hoops are few. I went to my initial meeting with the doc on 11/23, and was scheduled for 12/08 at the first appointment. I had a pre op day with a nutrition course, and tour of the surgical facility, and that was it. Total, I paid 13k. I did not use a medical loan, as I got a much better deal using my Credit Cards. I worked out which had 1.9percent for 6 months and go 0 for a year on a new card, and worked payment out for myself. I was never going to qualify with my health insurance, and when I found that out years ago, I waited. New husband, who had lap band, encouraged and supported this big expense, and now, I just need to count my proteins, ounces of water, and expect my weight to fall and my next car to be used. Totally worth it.

Hi! The nutrition visit and psych visit occurred for me before it was sent to my insurance for wls approval. My insurance was billed for these visits as regular office visits.

Welcome Shannon. You have done really well. Congratulations on your Bandaversary. Keep up the good work:D

Lisa

Edited December 22, 201510 yr by cherri2082

Not sure what happened above. I wanted to welcome Social Introvert!!

Welcome, Social Introvert. You are in the right place!

My insurance didn't cover WLS. My psych and NUT were covered by a required program fee that no insurance covered and everyone had to pay upfront (they allowed us to pay in two installments). My insurance did pay for some of my pre-op tests. Just having insurance helped because those tests were billed at the insured rate rather than at the higher non-insured rate even if I had to pay for them (if that makes sense).

I don't know your physical situation since you have a lower BMI, but I am disabled and was able to go through my State's Voc Rehab program. They paid for my surgery so I only paid for my program fee and pre-op testing which really helped financially.

I stared with insurance paying the bill.

That was the plan.

Then they started pissing me off with delays and other shenanigans.

I ultimately opted to self fund and use the same surgeon. Turned out to be an excellent decision that stepped up my timeline to surgery really swiftly vs having to wait at least another few months.

I'd still be waiting for surgery, in fact, had I continued on with my insurance....it would have been late this month possibly.....but we are getting a new insurance carrier on Jan 1st.

It was beginning to look like they were stalling on me to push it over to January. For all I know the new carrier may have played games, too.....and made me start over. Simply speculating here......

Anyway, had the surgery 10 weeks ago today and am so very relieved already.

Do NOT automatically toss the idea of self-funding. Have the discussion with your surgeon's staff and see what their provisions are for such. You may be absolutely amazed at the reduced rates some of them offer to self-pay patients.

I do not want to encourage anyone to gain weight, but if you are so close to BMI of 40, If it was me I would let myself go there, Most insurance companies will look at you starting BMI not the BMI you end up with after following their instructions regarding dietitian and exercise and you start loosing as you are following pre surgery directions for the months you have to follow per your insurance company. I knew I had to have 4 dietitian visits and other testing. They told me the surgeon was not available to meet with me till September, so i started with the dietitian visit in August and had my gastric sleeve surgery November 25.

Started 8/4/15 250lbs, day of surgery 228.8 lbs and today 30 days post surgery 204.6s. I walk every day on my treadmill 30-45 min at about 2.2-2.3 miles per hour and tomorrow I will start swimming which is great exercise for toning whole body. I also got a hula hoop 2lbs, had one that is 4.4 but too heavy, can't start yet till 6 wks post op, incision still healing.

Good luck!

I'm in the UK and did not meet the requirements to have surgery done through our National Health Service. Did consider just eating until I reached the right weight and BMI but did my research instead and ended up going to Belgium for surgery and paying for it myself. My husband actually paid for it and I borrowed a bit from my friend as we had a slight shortfall. It is the BEST money ever spent (along with that on laser treatment on my eyes 12 years ago) and I would have sold my soul to get it done. I feel on top of the world now, instead of being the blubbery and blubbering wreck hiding behind it until the op. Surgery here in the UK would have cost me at least twice as much as it did in Belgium for exactly the same treatment and level of service. If you can't get your insurance to cough up then beg, borrow or steal to get surgery. It's the only body that you're given so look after it. It's sooooooo worth it. Believe me. Good luck on your journey.