Would you have self paid?

Gwen M.
on 11/9/14 9:27 pm
VSG on 03/13/14

This is sort of a strange totally hypothetical question, so bear with me.  I got to thinking about it due to the recent question of costs.  

Knowing what you know now - with the weight you've lost and the health you've gained (hopefully!) - would you have gone the self pay route if insurance hadn't covered your WLS?  

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

downhome
on 11/9/14 9:33 pm

Yes, no doubt about it!

Stacy_WLS
on 11/9/14 9:35 pm

Yes.  I did ms I would do it again.  Wls was a specific exclusion for my company.

VSG: 12/12/13, LBL, small TL, BL/BA: 11/7/14 Twins 12/9/18 HW after Twins 260. 5'10 37 years old - Stacy_WLS (MFP)

Stacy_WLS
on 11/9/14 9:38 pm

Between my surgery and my plastics I could have had a new loaded Camry.  My body and health is worth much more.

 I am very lucky tho have been in a position to do this for myself.  Not that I didnt work my ass off for it, but I know I am lucky to have had a job, finances, and relatively low cost of living that allowed it.

VSG: 12/12/13, LBL, small TL, BL/BA: 11/7/14 Twins 12/9/18 HW after Twins 260. 5'10 37 years old - Stacy_WLS (MFP)

SATXVSG
on 11/9/14 9:45 pm - Selma(San Antonio), TX
VSG on 04/22/14

I doubt it.   But, if I had found a site like this 10 years ago, I might have.

Surgery Date 04-22-14 HW 2011 388(lost 60lbs on WW, regained 40) Surgery Consult Weight 1/10/14 - 367 SW 357 - CW 9/15 210.

Stalls are your body's way of telling you not to get too cocky.

5K - 1st 59:00(9/14) PR 33:45(9/15)

10K - 1:14(10/15) 1/2 - 1st 3/20/16

bigredlt
on 11/9/14 10:11 pm - Harrisburg, PA
VSG on 03/07/14 with

my insurance did not cover me. i went to Mexico for the surgery.  Hands down, the best decision i ever made.  If i had to make this decision 1,000 times, i would choose this every time. 

     42 y/o, 5'7", HW 289, Start Weight 280. SW 264 on 3/7/14. Diagnosed w/IDC 5/16/14.

    

    

tstowe
on 11/11/14 9:36 pm
On November 10, 2014 at 6:11 AM Pacific Time, bigredlt wrote:

my insurance did not cover me. i went to Mexico for the surgery.  Hands down, the best decision i ever made.  If i had to make this decision 1,000 times, i would choose this every time. 

 

+1 on this.

My wife and I both teach so we aren't the wealthiest couple on the block. We put it on a credit card and went to Mexico. 

We had it done on September 1. My weight is down, blood pressure is down, and diabetes is gone.

NO regrets.

    

    

            
G5x5
on 11/9/14 10:19 pm, edited 11/9/14 10:19 pm - VA

Knowing what I know now, I would recommend that people try an honest 12 months on a true low carb high fat diet.

I would recommend that they do the appropriate reading before they start so that they understand you can't tip toe into the the process, that you can eat enough (of the right foods) to never be hungry, and that you have to (can) trust the biology to loose massive pounds without surgery.

This is not to say the surgery doesn't work.  You just need to determine honestly whether the LCHF can make it avoidable.

HW: 255 (6/5/13), SW: 240 (6/19/13), CW: 169 (9/16/14)

M1: -26,  M2: -17,  M3: -5,  M4: -13  M5: -12  M6: -11  M7: -8

M8-10: Skinny Maintenance (10k Training)   M11-13: On Break

M14+: **CROSSTRAINING FOR ALL AROUND FITNESS**

Google NSNG and learn the right way to eat each day

Gwen M.
on 11/9/14 10:21 pm
VSG on 03/13/14

So your answer is no?

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

susan88
on 11/9/14 10:39 pm
VSG on 08/08/14 with

I tired the low carb route for the last 8 years.  I lost 30 - 50 pounds each year and then proceeded to gain it back the minute I stopped or got stressed and had to start all over.  I travel for business and it was an eye opener last spring when my cousin told me, "you are always on a diet when you come her.". Well, this fall I am at her house down 55 pounds and no longer on a diet.  I just eat differently!

This fall was extremely stressful for me.  Took care of both parents with pneumonia and then my mother-in-law broke vertebrae in a fall. This surgery has gotten me through it!  I would have gained 20 pounds in the last 30 days stress eating and instead I lost 10.  My stress eating was beef jerky and spicy peper jack laughing cow on celery sticks.  

I self paid in Mexico for 1/2 of my deductible so even if insurance would have covered it with a high deductible (10K family) I couldn't afford it. I borrowed the money and paying it back with the food savings.  I can't believe how much I don't eat out and how much less I spend on food. On the road RTD shakes are my friend and save me so much money.  For me this surgery has been the answer to my prayers.

I do agree that research is important and that weight loss can be achieved without the surgery; however, it is the maintenance phase that is so difficult without this tool.  

        
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