GoFundMe accounts?

[psychprof 141]

She asked if anyone had used a gofundme account. Simple as that. This is so stupid! lol

Stop judging people! Why can't people just live and let live! Jesus.

[LiMurr 24]

Personally, I think GoFundMe is a seriously abused forum. Unless you have firsthand knowledge of the cause or individuals, you have no idea what your money is ACTUALLY being used for.

Anyways, My insurance does not pay for WLS at all, either. I found a FACS certified bariatric surgeon at an International Center of Excellence in Mexico. He had better credentials, more experience and lower complication rate than any bariatric surgeon within 200 miles of me. I skimped and saved for over two years and paid cash for all but $1000 for my surgery. I put the last $1000 on a 0% credit card that I paid off within 2 months with my tax return. If you want it bad enough you can make it happen.

Your family is being ignorant and unreasonable by withholding their support for a very viable, affordable option of going to Mexico! I received the best care I've ever had, had an easy, pain free recovery, no complications, and even two years out they are still in contact, keeping tabs on my progress. Beats the hell out the US surgeon that created a hernia while removing my gallbladder last month which I will now need a second surgery to repair.

May I ask who your surgeon was? I'm considering going to Mexico, but my main concern is not having the support afterwards. Sounds like the one you went to has that covered.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

@@Salinagetssleeved

Yes. I used my health insurance that I've payed for the last 25 years and payed a $4,000 out of pocket which I saved up for using money I made from working.

If I didn't have the out of pocket already saved, I would have had to wait until I'd saved enough to have the surgery. Simple as that.

well you sure are lucky that you only had to pay $4,000!!!! I'm sure if you had to pay the $21,000 like most of us, you probably would not have had it done!!!!!! Lucky girl!!

I worked hard to get a job that has great benefits. I pay every month out of pocket for those benefits and paid my co-pays in cash.

The harder I work, the luckier I get!!

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

@@psychprof I did not state the OP asked for an opinion. It appears other posters, however, do not appreciate others' opinions. Hmmm

[CowgirlJane 14,261]

I hope you find a way to afford this. There are other options, Mexico, even staying in the USA, worth checking out. I luckily had insurance coverage for my sleeve surgery, but went out of country for plastics and can testify to a high quality of surgical skill and care.

It's a free country and anyone can set up a funding request. Based on what I have seen over the years (the topic has come up before) I don't think most people will donate to something like this for someone they don't know.I donate to charities but have never contributed to any of the funding requests and I am guessing I am typical.

[Salinagetssleeved 58]

I hope you find a way to afford this. There are other options, Mexico, even staying in the USA, worth checking out. I luckily had insurance coverage for my sleeve surgery, but went out of country for plastics and can testify to a high quality of surgical skill and care.

It's a free country and anyone can set up a funding request. Based on what I have seen over the years (the topic has come up before) I don't think most people will donate to something like this for someone they don't know.I donate to charities but have never contributed to any of the funding requests and I am guessing I am typical.

oh absolutely! Over the last few days Mexico seems like that is what my husband and I are leaning toward. I'm excited!

[McButterpants 2,846]

I traveled out of my area for surgery - my local hospital was $30K at the time.

If you do travel to have your surgery, my suggestion is to find a local doctor to support you after surgery. The local surgeon in my hometown was willing to take me on as a patient after I got home - I did follow up visits once I got home. 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and yearly. There was a cost for this as my insurance doesn't cover anything weight loss related - I paid $175 per visit. This support was invaluable - I followed her plan with regard to introducing food and got much more information and support than just coming home and "winging it" with the information I got from the surgeon's office.

Best of luck!

[Salinagetssleeved 58]

I traveled out of my area for surgery - my local hospital was $30K at the time.

If you do travel to have your surgery, my suggestion is to find a local doctor to support you after surgery. The local surgeon in my hometown was willing to take me on as a patient after I got home - I did follow up visits once I got home. 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and yearly. There was a cost for this as my insurance doesn't cover anything weight loss related - I paid $175 per visit. This support was invaluable - I followed her plan with regard to introducing food and got much more information and support than just coming home and "winging it" with the information I got from the surgeon's office.

Best of luck!

thank you so much!!!!!

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

Best of luck to you @@Salinagetssleeved You are in pursuit of one of the very best life choices (in my "opinion") to improve your quality of life. I have never regretted my decision to have this surgery. It is so unfortunate that all insurance companies do not recognize the importance of this surgery to save lives. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, (or whatever you Celebrate this time of year). I hope your dreams come true.

[Salinagetssleeved 58]

Best of luck to you @@Salinagetssleeved You are in pursuit of one of the very best life choices (in my "opinion") to improve your quality of life. I have never regretted my decision to have this surgery. It is so unfortunate that all insurance companies do not recognize the importance of this surgery to save lives. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, (or whatever you Celebrate this time of year). I hope your dreams come true.

thank you so much!!!! I am so excited!!! I can't wait!!!

[Elode 8,093]

I see a new "Gofundme" everyday for the craziest things! I'm going to set up a Gofundme account to fix my "give a sh*t meter" because it's broken! I'm not sure how much it's going to cost to fix it but I'm sure it's more than I can afford.

Now, to you...if I were in your shoes I would defiantly go to Mexico! That's what I was going to do but we have Fed insurance through my hubs work that was excellent and paid for it (he's been working over 35 years so he's more than paid his fair share trust me) Please don't call me "lucky" lucky would have been not needing it at all! Not going to Mexico when you can afford that route and asking others for money instead is like being a starving person who rejects a sandwich because it's has mayo on it. It's the whole "beggars can't be choosers" scenario. In the end it's up to you but go to MEXICO and enjoy!!! Adios!

[BarrySue 602]

I'm very happy you found another option, OP (I wish I had gone to Mexico and saved a bundle). I've thought about a gofundme account for future plastics, but ultimately decided against it for the following reasons:

1. I am ultimately responsible for the damage done to my body (weight is the luxury tax we pay on getting to eat whatever and however we want).

2. There are so many gofundme people out there needing money for limb prosthetics, death of family members, natural catastrophes, and terrible accidents over which they had ZERO responsibility and control.

3. I could still ask my friends/family to contribute money in lieu of gifts for x-mas, birthdays, etc.

4. Doing it because "it's a free country" despite the implications it has for my character, integrity, and personal responsibility is not okay with me.

Good luck on your journey, OP. Hope to see you on the other side post-op!

[Indi 5]

Have you considered Mexico? It's only about $4500 including hotel and hospital stay. I know it's scary thought to go outside the states for surgery but I thought I suggest it. Doing research on it won't hurt.

Edited December 25, 2015 by Indi

[Stevehud 1,790]

luckily i got my insurance to pay 80%, and i'm still paying monthly for the other 6k , but i'm worth it. hell i paid more than that the year before in medical bills from all my health issues that i no longer have. so its all good. But seriously, when you say everyone on go fund me isn't looking for a handout? actually, they are, that's what it is, it isn't a game show, its a handout that's the exact and total definition of it . Whether its needed or charitable or whatever, it is actually and totally someone begging for money , justifying it doesn't make it any different. While i wish you great success in your journey, you have to see it for what it is. Go Fund me is the exact same as standing on a street corner with a bucket in front of you begging people for money. It is the exact same thing, its just easier to do because you don't have to physically be there to do the begging.

[Salinagetssleeved 58]

luckily i got my insurance to pay 80%, and i'm still paying monthly for the other 6k , but i'm worth it. hell i paid more than that the year before in medical bills from all my health issues that i no longer have. so its all good. But seriously, when you say everyone on go fund me isn't looking for a handout? actually, they are, that's what it is, it isn't a game show, its a handout that's the exact and total definition of it . Whether its needed or charitable or whatever, it is actually and totally someone begging for money , justifying it doesn't make it any different. While i wish you great success in your journey, you have to see it for what it is. Go Fund me is the exact same as standing on a street corner with a bucket in front of you begging people for money. It is the exact same thing, its just easier to do because you don't have to physically be there to do the begging.

thanks

Have you considered Mexico? It's only about $4500 including hotel and hospital stay. I know it's scary thought to go outside the states for surgery but I thought I suggest it. Doing research on it won't hurt.

did you have it done in Mexico?!