LindsayLouLou

Hello! After visiting with my PCP, he and I have decided that gastric sleeve surgery is my best option for losing weight. He has referred me to a surgeon at HIS hospital. I'm guessing my PCP is required to recommend surgeons who work at the same hospital as he does... I am REALLY scared about the procedure! I need comforting words and recommendations for surgeons with excellent track records. I have read SO many horror stories about surgeons damaging other organs during surgery and post-op leaks that keep people from working/living life and even leaks that kill people! I know I can't be the only person who is scared and feels clueless! Please help

Unless Ochsner offers their own financing- I'm out! That's what's holding me back! My insurance excludes ALL bariatric surgery even if it's deemed medically necessary! My credit is good, but no bank will loan me $15,000 without collateral. I'm only 30- my retirement fund is not yet large enough to borrow against. And, no, I'm not going to Mexico. Any other ideas? I've had no luck finding private insurance that covers bariatric surgery......i'm all out if ideas. Carecredit doesn't cover the entire procedure.....

What private plans cover bariatric surgery?? That's where I'll be shopping for new insurance!

That's what I'm working on now! I'll keep you posted!

Not yet!!! I haven't tried to finance yet! I'll keep you posted... I feel REALLY selfish taking out a loan like that when we're in the process of buying our first home! I don't want to mess up our mortgage rate!

When I called Cigna today, they informed me that there are different "versions" of their OAP plan.... It all depends on what the employer purchases. And, no, my work won't add wls to their plan. I'm really devastated. I was SO excited. Thanks though!

I'm in the same boat- EXCLUDED!!!! I'm so bummed. My surgeon charges right under $9,000 for the entire procedure, hospital stay, pre-post visits, etc. I have NO idea how to finance this. I have nothing to offer as leverage.

So bummed out. I was notified that my plan excludes ALL weight loss surgery. "Regardless of medical necessity." I'm not sure what I'm going to do! The surgeon charges right under $9,000. My credit is 620. What bank is going to make a loan like that with no leverage?! Do banks consider medical loans different from private loans? Do they pay the hospital/surgeon directly?? I've never gotten a clear answer.

I only have 1 comorbidity, but my BMI is 41...

That is great! I also have a 2 year old! I've been worrying about taking care of her while trying to recover! My husband can help, but I'll be alone with her all day while he is at work! My parents won't be much help bc they don't agree with my choice to get sleeved..... Please explain how you got financed! I'm not sure what/ or if my insurance will cover the surgery. I've heard many people use carecredit (but that carecredit doesn't give you enough credit to finance the entire procedure). I've also heard of people getting private loans from banks, but what bank will give you a $9,000 loan for "private" use?! I have decent credit (620), but I don't understand how medical financing works! My surgeon/hospital does not offer financing directly- patients must find their own lenders. Any advice?

Thank you!!!!

I have Cigna Open Access Plus. My BMI is 41. The surgeons office is contacting my insurance co to see what portion, if any, they will cover. What all does Cigna require?? If they won't pay, how do you finance? I've read different posts where Cigna approves with 6 months of dr. supervised diet, some people say only 3 months, some say no wait at all! There are also people who say Cigna won't pay at all! I'm so worried! As far as financing goes, I have decent credit, but I've read where people get financed easily with one lender, but some people report having to find multiple lenders/take out multiple loans/sell their property! Ahhhh!!! I don't know how medical financing works! Please advise!

Seattleslew- thanks! Did you have to do a 3 or 6 month dr supervised diet plan?

I can access my plan online. It says nothing about any surgery, except ALL physician recommended inpatient procedures 70% covered. The weightloss coordinator at the surgery center is contacting Cigna to get the exact details. I'm just wondering what all hoops I'm going to have to jump through!

Hello! I'm currently waiting to hear from my insurance about coverage.... If insurance doesn't cover all or only a portion of surgery, how does one go about financing this procedure? I have decent credit.

I have Cigna Open Access Plus. My BMI is 41. The surgeons office is contacting my insurance co to see what portion, if any, they will cover. What all does Cigna require?? If they won't pay, how do you finance??

I'm waiting to hear from insurance as well! I'm not sure what I'll do if my plan doesn't cover the procedures! I've heard getting financed is a nightmare! Keeping my fingers crossed! I have Cigna Open Access....

Wow! So the bank wouldn't loan you the full amount? Would carecredit finance the whole thing? I'm still waiting to hear from the insurance company.... I just don't like the thought of having to get multiple lenders! That means multiple monthy payments for one procedure! Not sure I can swing that!

Hang in there! Keep us posted!

Hello all! My husband is the ONLY person who supports my/my doctor's decision for gastric sleeve surgery. Both of my parents AND my sisters are obsese. My mom has yo-yo dieted for as long as I can remember. She makes losing weight a miserable competition among the women in my family. The first time I even mentioned that my doctor had referred me for gastric sleeve surgery, everyone started rolling their eyes, yelling, and telling me how I "don't try hard enough." (I try harder than ANYONE in my family.) They call me lazy and tell me that if I REALLY tried I could lose all of the weight on my own. If I choose to go through with the procedure, I'm going to have to keep it a TOTAL secret from my family! Is that even possible??!! It's just that every time I mention it, my parents and sister tell me that I'll end up dying from complications (leakages) and that I will be miserable because I'll never be able to eat "normal" or drink alcohol again.......They are doing a GREAT job of scaring me out of gastric sleeve surgery. They also ask, "Why would you risk dying and never seeing your husband and child again just to be thin?!" AHHHHHHHHH. I am SO SO SO confused. Please help!

Good luck! I have the same fear! Let me know how it goes!

Thanks guys! I already feel better! Recycled- you are so right! I try to keep a score card! And I am exhausted! Thanks again!

The most confusing part of the decision is understanding the info that I research! Half of the VGS patients report positive life changing outcomes that they can't imagine living without, while the other half report how miserable they are suffering from nausea, leaks, pain! WTH?? I mean, look at the two replies on this post alone! One make me feel confident, then the other makes me freak out! HA!