It Bugs the Crap Out of Me When People do This!!

[MONEL 0]

I know there is no lap-band ferry BUT in a small town not far from where I live there is a place where lap-band angels live. In a little town is Arkansas (less than 1000 people) a community gathered around one of its largest residents and raised enough money for him to have WLS. He had the surgery in May and has lost over 150 pounds. What a success for the town as well as the man.

[Apples2 19]

I know there is no lap-band ferry BUT in a small town not far from where I live there is a place where lap-band angels live. In a little town is Arkansas (less than 1000 people) a community gathered around one of its largest residents and raised enough money for him to have WLS. He had the surgery in May and has lost over 150 pounds. What a success for the town as well as the man.

AHHHHHHHH...there are Lap Band Ferries....

I happened to have 6 co-morbidities and ins paid for my surgery. I lucked out in a way. I admire self-payers for finding a way to do what they need to do for themselves.

If your credit is shot and you have no means to pay...well...maybe time to work on yourself and what is important. Where there's a will, there's a way.

[HeatherO 7]

It doesn't bother me when people post that they can't afford it but wish they could. I just consider it venting.

My vent . . . I wish everyone that needed it and was willing to make the necessary changes in lifestyle to support it could have it without it being a financial issue. I know it is wishful thinking but after struggling with obesity myself, I don't think anyone should have to suffer through it if there are reasonable options to combat it. People with no credit, no insurance and limited job prospects need healthcare services as much as anyone else.

My vent #2 . . . I was self-pay, but have good insurance that both my company and I pay alot of money for every month that happens to have a WLS exclusion. In some ways, it feels like I am paying double and my insurance will now benefit from my improved health by less claims.

[cattoy71 0]

"If your credit is shot and you have no means to pay...well...maybe time to work on yourself and what is important. Where there's a will, there's a way."

I love this quote...thank you for saying it so eloquently :tongue_smilie::thumbup::thumbup:

[trish68 0]

For those people who say they can't afford the lap band, have you tried to access your super fund? I'm Australian and I have filled out the forms and lodged them to my super fund and it looks as though it will be approved. Yes there is a fee to access these funds, but if you can't afford to do it any other way it is worth it. Since alot of the people on this forum are from different cities I'm not sure if everyone has this option. If you do go this way you need to get a letter from your GP as well as the doctor doing your lapbanding stating that this is a health issue and needs to be done to prolong your life. What have you got to lose?

[plain 12]

My vent #2 . . . I was self-pay, but have good insurance that both my company and I pay alot of money for every month that happens to have a WLS exclusion. In some ways, it feels like I am paying double and my insurance will now benefit from my improved health by less claims.

An astute observation!!

For those people who say they can't afford the lap band, have you tried to access your super fund?

I wish I had a super fund.

[Marine mom 3]

I don't dig begging, but I know many good, hard working people who deserve help, but can't afford it. Bad credit happens to many people. I, myself, let my credit go when I married DH. Didn't think twice. If we were to divorce, I would be up a creek, even though I've started dealing with it. Luckily, I'm blessed with insurance and an excellent education to get me by. So many others aren't.

eta: I just paid off my cards and closed them, didn't run them up, not pay, or anything like that!

Basically, the concept that if you are poor and fat you don't deserve the surgery or even the right to vent about it is kind of whacked, imo.

Edited April 18, 2009 by MissyMS
unclear logic...

[june09bandit 0]

I know a lot of people who get what they want/need every time they express that they don't have the money. I don't agree with it, but it's a conditioned response that starts in their childhood.

If they want it, they express their desire and someone usually takes care of it for them.

Last time I needed a root canal, I realized that I was the only one in the room not receiving public assistance. Paying for that root canal was going to be painful for my checking account, the rest had no worries. :tt1:

[Marine mom 3]

I know a lot of people who get what they want/need every time they express that they don't have the money. I don't agree with it, but it's a conditioned response that starts in their childhood.

If they want it, they express their desire and someone usually takes care of it for them.

Last time I needed a root canal, I realized that I was the only one in the room not receiving public assistance. Paying for that root canal was going to be painful for my checking account, the rest had no worries. :tt1:

My root canal last fall was one of the biggest budget busters of my life!! I work a lot with the working poor. No insurance, no qualifications for medical/dental help. They don't work any less than I did, or my husband does, and many are highly educated, but recently laid off.

[gamyj 0]

i agree with you missy. These are very trying times right now. I can't imagin having had no health insurance to help me get my band. I feel for those people who don't have the means or the insurance or whatever and not be able to have the oportunity to get control of their health. If i were them id probably vent too. I realize too that in this economy anyone could be hit and lose insurance or a job. its very scary and people need to be able to go where they feel safe and say whats on their minds. im glad that LBT is here to be an outlet for people.

amy

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

What in the heck is a super fund?

How do I get one, lol?

[maddy 0]

I have great insurance, but I didnt qualify for surgery w/BMI, according to them. According to ME it was looooong over due. The day came I signed up and had it done within a month . When I signed up for consult didnt know how to pay, but I had 24 hours, told husband made some calls and there.....it was done!! Had I had to work for it, I would have. Im not a Neimans girl, but I want what I want and NO doesnt go over well here, neither does begging. Just like I dont ask/wait for government to give me new home or car(yea right!!), this is elective so definately not on WICA plan or purchased w/food stamps!!

Elective surgery is just that. Consumer good to be PURCHASED. IF there is another way,I cant seem to find it!! Crying.....well that takes up prescious problem solving time, get busy and be creative, I did and never looked back!!

mads gads

Edited April 27, 2009 by maddy

[Fanny Adams 7]

For those people who say they can't afford the lap band, have you tried to access your super fund? I'm Australian and I have filled out the forms and lodged them to my super fund and it looks as though it will be approved. Yes there is a fee to access these funds, but if you can't afford to do it any other way it is worth it. Since alot of the people on this forum are from different cities I'm not sure if everyone has this option. If you do go this way you need to get a letter from your GP as well as the doctor doing your lapbanding stating that this is a health issue and needs to be done to prolong your life. What have you got to lose?

I wish I had a super fund.

What in the heck is a super fund?

How do I get one, lol?

A super fund is our superannuation fund - retirement fund, basically. I think it is similar to your "401K" but I'm not entirely sure - mostly coz I don't really know what that is, other than what I've guessed through posts here and in other forums.

Super has been compulsory in Aus for 20 years now, with employers required to pay 9% of the total wages/salary into a fund nominated by the employee, which can't be touched until retirement. Some large organisations (like the public service or hospitals, etc) offer their own superannuation funds but many people opt for completely private super funds held with insurance companies. I think it is very sensible - forces people to save for their retirement but gives them freedom of choice on how to do that. Employers MUST contribute - employees can choose to add their own contributions as well, and get tax breaks if they do so.

On the other hand, our employers don't provide medical insurance as part of a salary package - our medical insurance is entirely separated from employment and I like it that way!! I've heard way too many US horror stories about losing coverage and other problems, simply because you've changed jobs. To me, that seems like a really whacky thing to tie together so closely.

[maddy 0]

Fanny, 401k savings plan in US in simple terms is retirement plan that is set up in companies by choice for employess and a percentage of employees salary goes into fund non taxed. In addition Employers may choose to match contributions sometimes dollar for dollar up to a certain amount.

Our medical and 401k's are offered by most employers, we have small company and offer these, and depending on what type of plan employees choose depends on benefits and cost. We pay a portion of medical, but the gold package costs employee more than bronze package per se. Single healthy adult may choose bronze package and pay less than say a family of four who may choose gold package and pay more, but can go to any doctor any time and be covered.

The US government waters down just about everything and we spend more here on our puppy check up visits and get better care than most state run hospitals with patients. I wouldnt step foot in one, cant imagine. Our government officials surely dont darken their doors either.

People may fear losing job b/c loss of insurance, but again insurance is a product to be purchased, not just FREE service. Ive always heard, you get what you pay for, and we pay high price for insurance and care is a phone call away. If our government gave it to us, who knows we may wait days or weeks for visit if sick, cant imagine. Right now if I wake up sick in morning and call dr by 8:00am I should expect to see dr of MY choice no later than noon, primary care physician.

Im glad it works for you in your country, our government is slow and does things their way on their time, which is just about opposite from most independently owned companies in US. We have large companies as customer base we must answer to and employees to take care of in order to stay in business. The big business of government here answers to no one .

mads gads

Edited April 29, 2009 by maddy

[Brandy~ 2]

Maybe they are just venting, getting it off their chests or hoping someone has a new approach to approval.

If you don't want to read it. Dont.