How are people affording all these plastics without insurance copays??? I mean, do most people just have an extra $10,000 lying around, or is there some magic financing I'm not aware of? Especially with regards to traveling to places like Mexico to have them done, which sounds amazing and lavish and wonderful, but maybe I'm just not a responsible enough adult to have that much savings? ... most likely this is the case :/ *sigh

Hard work and savings. I know my last promotion and bonus would not have happened if I was still 225 lbs woman. That is irritating but I still promoted - LOL

Insurance!!!
Paid everything but 20%

What did you have done and what was the 20% of?

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Thankfully my insurance covered the skin removal I had done, although they wouldn't pay for belly button... had to cough up $2400!

What exactly was removed and where, did you need a new belly button?

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My insurance will pay if I develop a rash that won't go away under the pannis or some other issue. The surgeon told me if it happens to go to my MD right away so it can be documented. I am only about 14 weeks out so it is not necessary yet, I have lost a total of 84 pounds and have more to go

Self pay with good credit and a zero interest credit card. Not everyone is in debt and saved as they should.

Savings and inheritance from my mom passing. I have accounts that are separate from my checking that an allotment gets deposited every two weeks. I never miss the money and they aren't connected to debit cards so I can't pull money unless I go to the actually bank. Every now and then I login to the online site and see the benefits. It actually builds up fast.

On 6/12/2017 at 6:48 PM, swizzle said:

How are people affording plastics

@swizzle

i robbed the bank

naw, i would never do that!! LOL

DH and i are very frugal/thrifty/CHEAP!!

we constantly add/save our money, 401K etc.

we also have money put aside for a rainy

day or PS, whichever comes first!! LOL

many people live paycheck to paycheck

economy being what it is, can be hard to

save money - esp. when you have family/kids/
bills, bills, and more bills!! -

you can have PS in the future with saved

money/finance etc - right now, continue to eat

well - and get healthier and happier

you are doing terrific with your weight loss

good luck bud

kathy

I think it depends on the procedure, if you can get a doctor to say that it is medically necessary insurance may cover somethings. I am a ways away from plastics but every time I go to the doctor I be sure to log a complaint about the skin and getting rashes and irritation. If need be I plan to take out a loan to pay for plastics when I'm ready.

MY surgeon actually told me to be on the look out for any rashes or skin irritations. If it happens let my primary doctor know right away.... my Insurance will pay for skin removal for medical reasons. However, it depends on your insurance

My daughter and I were discussing this topic over the weekend. As we were waiting at a stoplight, a gentleman was walking the median with a sign asking for money saying he was homeless, but had on nice clothes, designer shoes, and smoking a cigarette. I told my daughter, maybe I should try that but with a sign telling the truth, NEED MONEY FOR BOOB JOB! We laughed, but then my daughter said, people would respect the truth and you would probably get enough money in a couple of weeks.

I am scheduled for a upper and lower abdominal surgery in September. My insurance will cover most of it. I used a bariatric center at a university hospital. The head of plastic surgery there wrote the leading textbook on body contour after weight loss. He mostly teaches, but works a couple days a month at the bariatric clinic.

This matters because my insurance will cover skin removal for medical reasons like rashes and so on, but it has to be done by a bariatric center of excellence and billed by the bariatric group, not a plastic surgeon (since that would be considered cosmetic).

Knowing all that, the plastic surgeon works through the bariatric clinic and they are well versed in getting approval.

I went to my primary care about rashes and asked for a referral. Then saw a dermatologist and made an appointment with the surgeon. They took pictures and submitted a package. It was approved within 48 hours.

The only catch is the my insurance won't cover some things like support garments and belly button. I'll pay out of pocket for those things. It's been about 16 months since my VSG and we have been putting aside all the money we are saving on groceries and prescription co-pays for all the medications I no longer have to take.

I'm very fortunate to have this covered and even more blessed to be in a financial situation where I can make this a priority. It's not easy, but I've been obese my entire life. I'm 43 now and I have worked so hard to get this far. I just want to be able to like the way my body looks naked for once in my life. My kids are grown and now it's about me. :-)

I had to pay $200.00 to the hospital. Am 19 days post op from a breast reduction of 1400 grams from the left and 1500 grams from the right and a FNG. Am hoping and praying I don't get any other kind of bill.

Sadly my insurance has really specific requirements including that the pannus had to pass the pubic bone and mine did not, so all the rashes and mobility issues in the world wouldn't have gotten mine covered. Other insurances don't allow them in any circumstances.

You need to get a copy of your insurance plan and read the details and see how and if it can be covered.

I paid out of pocket.

On 7/15/2017 at 11:58 PM, jess9395 said:

Sadly my insurance has really specific requirements including that the pannus had to pass the pubic bone and mine did not, so all the rashes and mobility issues in the world wouldn't have gotten mine covered. Other insurances don't allow them in any circumstances.

You need to get a copy of your insurance plan and read the details and see how and if it can be covered.

I paid out of pocket.

I'm w/ Jess, my employer is the same when it comes to the strict guidelines for the pannus. I knew going in they were going to deny my PA, but it was still worth the try. The skin in that area is minimal, nothing a little girdle can't handle. The breast lift and reduction, we (BCBS) just approved that and will be covering the costs. Out of pocket, I'll only be paying $500.00.

I'm w/ Jess, my employer is the same when it comes to the strict guidelines for the pannus. I knew going in they were going to deny my PA, but it was still worth the try. The skin in that area is minimal, nothing a little girdle can't handle. The breast lift and reduction, we (BCBS) just approved that and will be covering the costs. Out of pocket, I'll only be paying $500.00.

Nice! Mine would only cover a reduction not lift and a certain amount of breast tissue (500g maybe?) had to be removed. Sadly I had very little breast tissue left which was crazy considering how big they were when I started!