Hi everyone! 

I'm about 10 months out, but the thoughts of plastic surgery has been on my mind lately. As I get closer to my goal weight, my body is looking very bad. Being young (31), I was hoping to avoid the issues with saggy skin, but I got hit very hard with it. I definitely will need a tummy tuck (central obesity in my case), thigh lift, boob lift, and something to be done with my arms as well. I feel like I need to be cut and sewn back together again. As you can imagine, the thought has me up many a nights.

What's more, how am I going to pay for it??? I have Kaiser HMO, so I know getting it done as a medical procedure through them is next to impossible. And living here in San Francisco Bay Area, the prices alone make it prohibitive. My question is, how were you able to pay for it? What are some options I should consider? (I've read people getting it done in Mexico). What is the price range if I wanted the whole nine yards (arms, thighs, tummy, and boobs). 

Thanks for any feedback and input. =)

P.S. - I'm not a mom yet, and some friends suggested I wait until after my kids to have the plastic surgery...obviously they have not seen me naked!  

Insurance paid for my tummy tuck but I had a huge hernia and we did have Baili before I had the surgery which was a great idea.  My stomach is so tight and flat I can't imagine stretching it out again. I also think it might hurt to stretch it, I know even when I eat too much it feels tight and uncomfortable. 

 technically they have to cover it. It's the law in California. You can call the DMHC and ask them about it. http://www.duodenalswitch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7896&hi ghlight=kaiser You just have to fight and make them. 

 Insurance, and savings.

If you don't have savings but believe you will be able to pay it off in a year, most plastic surgeons offer 'Care Credit' -- a GM corporation -- which offers zero interest if you pay the whole thing off in a year.  If you miss a payment their interest is usurious, maybe nearly 30%.  So you'd want to be sure you could pay that one off pretty quickly.

I haven't had plastics but that's about what I did to pay for my original surgery.  I have pretty awesome credit for a 24-year-old student, so I was able to get a new credit card with zero interest for 18 months.  I paid what I could, and put the balance on that.  Now I make payments, and will easily have it paid off in time.  Even if I didn't, the interest is not ridiculous.  It's actually less than my other credit card!

Well every one raves about Cosmed.Look up online. You can send pics and get a internet consult and quote. The doc is from Cali. You can get the whole tamale for under 10,000.

How about a low interest credit card or apply for one for cosmetic surg procedures?

I plan on using my 401K.  My company let's me take a loan up to 50% of what is in there and just pay myself back out of my check. 

well i am sure insurance will cover some of my reconstruction  what's not covered I will take a 401K loan as well... i pay it back to myself with interest so I win sort of...besides I'm probably never going to retire... sadly.

If people can go into $35,000 or $40,000 for a mid-size car that will rust out in a few years, then they can go into debt for changes to their body that will last for a lifetime.  Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies had this quote, "Weight Loss Surgery gave me back my health, Plastic Surgery gave me back my self esteem."

You MAY be able to get CDMHC to make Kaiser cover some of it.  We have an expert on that, sh'ell probably show up here sooner or later.

Meanshile, I now of THREE medical professionals who chose to go Cosat Rica for PS.  Really.  They all went here:
www.cosmetic-cr.com/procedures.htm

They have a great deal of experience and when I was looking, the costs were WAY cheaper than here.

Sue

I'm going to Mexico... fantastic prices and excellent surgeon.

I was just thinking about this earlier. How much do they charge for plastics down there and who would you recommend?

Less than half of US prices.

i'm having an extended tt, lipo everywhere, breast lift and top of the line implants for $7500.

Renee
602 670 3498

I have Kaiser too. From what I was told by Kaiser in SD, CA was they'll pay for semi cosmetic surgery if you can prove that the skin is causing severe discomfort (open wounds & rashes in between the skin folds) and you must take the issue to you primary care DR for treatment. If the treatment fails then they'll consider skin removal but they will not tuck anything. It sound like you want a body lift. I don't think Kaiser will touch it and if the health insurance reform thing goes into effect you might as well forget about them. But IDK, your coverage may be a little different than mines.

However that are so many surgeons out there that'll accept payment plans and offers discount for taking cancelled appts which could save a few thousand bucks. You should probably start by researching your area for possiblilties. It's worth a shot.

As far as Mexico, I know that there are some wonderful surgeons there. Many people posts their experiences on OH. You should look out for them and research them when you can.