hello ,i have been big all my life now at the most i weigh in at 430 lbs 5 foot 6 inch male so im very over weight so i had made up my mind to get a band got approved from my doc and a heart doc , was going for my class on the bad and i got laid off from my job so now no insurence to pay for it nothing i need help to have this to save my life but i dont know what to do now if i take a lone im not making money to pay it back and they say i make to much to get mediacade so i dont know what to do please help thanks very much

This is a difficult time, I am sure. Paying COBRA premiums is ideal, but I don't know anyone who can afford that. Check with the medicaid office again. You DID make too much money when you were employed. I am pretty sure your unemployment will help qualify you. It depends on how many previous months that are factored in. If you can get qualified for medicaid, is there a surgeon in your area that accepts it?

Don't give up. Even if you have to postpone the surgery until you are insured again, you can make this happen. Use this time to learn everything you can about the surgery and prepare yourself mentally and physically for it. Start working out, if you don't already. It will help you feel better. Start logging your food intake on fitday.com or dailyplate.com so you can have an idea of what you are consuming each day. If you can afford it, you may even want to join Weight Watchers if you have never followed a program before. Many insurance companies require a diet history and this may help you get it covered with any new policy in the future.

Good Luck and don't forget to check with the medicaid office again. You may not want to mention that you want this surgery.:thumbup:

I was going to suggest COBRA as well, but that can be very expensive, but cheaper than taking out a loan. Sorry you are going through this.

Hi, I had the same problem. After working at my company for 9 years, I was laid off. I was within a month from having my surgery, it was already approved. I chose to go onto Cobra and continue on with the process. Although the Cobra cost me a whopping 319.00 per month, my husband and I still think (after 8 months since my surgery) that it was the best thing that we did. I have lost 52 lbs (with little effort on my part) and was able to take the time while I was off to heal and relax while mending. You will have alot of doctor appointments after surgery and it was nice to be able to not worry about taking off work to go to the appointments. I am working again and have had my 3rd fill. I have gone from a size 32 TO A 22/18. I know that it really depends on how your family is set up financially but I knew if I didn't do it then....I would never do it! My current company's insurance doesn't cover it so I know that wouldn't have had the chance at all if I had waited. I am so glad that I did it!