Ideas to raise money for my future skin removal surgery

Jul_334

I'm a young woman who has lost a little over 200 pounds. I'm happy to say I've kept it off for over a year.

The frustrating and sad part is that I don't have the financial means to cover the cost of skin removal surgery. I have a significant amount of loose skin on my stomach that extends to my back, and my thighs. I was even more discouraged when I found out my insurance will not help at all with anything, despite rashes and discomfort.

I'm not one to ask for help, especially help with money, but I feel as if I have no other choice if I want to get this done. I'm not sure where to start or how to go about doing this.

Any ideas are appreciated.

Bronty3

You can always start a GoFundMe Campaign or another campaign on a different website that does it. Random people can see your story and your progress and donate money. Then spread the word about it. It can't hurt to start one because you won't lose any money doing it. Every little bit can help. Include pictures because it helps people actually see the progress you've made and what an issue excess skin can be, besides not being aesthetically pleasing, it can be very uncomfortable.

tiptoethruthetulips

Is there any opportunity to make an appeal? Did your doctor certify ongoing medical issues arising from the significant excess skin for the insurance? Perhaps if you were to keep diary (and have it verified) for rashes, infections, other difficulties experiences...take photos when rashes and infections are at their worse.

ps congratulations on your weight loss by the way

amyk0202

I know exactly how you feel. I ended up prioritizing what needed done--I just couldn't afford everything. My arms are still floppy. My girls are large & I have this fold of tissue from the side of my breasts to my back--like my boobs are swallowing my upper body. My neck is looser than I would like---just thousands more that I could spend if I had it. In the end, I decided that my tummy was the worst & I was able to get enough credit to cover it. I will spend years paying it back & I know that I will end up paying a ton in interest. I just don't care. My tummy tuck was the best thing ever. It has improved my self confidence a thousand times over. Look into Care Credit. Their terms are horrible, but they seem to be pretty flexible on income & credit rating.

That being said, don't look for the cheapest surgeon. Look for one who will do the best job at what you need.

MelodyandBarbells

Second job, start a savings account specifically to fund this? Take on a roommate, etc any other options to cut your expenses drastically, especially if you do not have responsibility for children. Could even (temporarily?) move to a location with lower cost of living, if you can find employment

Alluminati

Start a savings account and put money away for it.

Jul_334

Thank you all so much for your help. This is quite frustrating to go through.

I currently have a separate savings account for this.

I will definitely look into financing down the road.

Unknown

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scolaris

I agree with the above. If you are not completely indigent I find all the 'middle class' self fundraising sort of self indulgent. I regularly get links to fund family & friends that way and it starts to get murky.
Better to get an extra side job or rent a room, etc & dedicate that small income stream to your procedure. And it's certainly okay to tell parents, grandparents, etc that in lieu of a gift you would love to receive a contribution to that account.

MelodyandBarbells

I don't know where you could possibly go with this, but maybe someone else does. What about some weight or health related sponsorship? Surely there must be some companies that would be impressed with someone who lost so much weight. Could be a factor as well if you were to get a second job.

Sabine_Stroehm

scolaris wrote: »

I agree with the above. If you are not completely indigent I find all the 'middle class' self fundraising sort of self indulgent. I regularly get links to fund family & friends that way and it starts to get murky.
Better to get an extra side job or rent a room, etc & dedicate that small income stream to your procedure. And it's certainly okay to tell parents, grandparents, etc that in lieu of a gift you would love to receive a contribution to that account.

I'm feeling this more and more. So many of the "gofundmes" have better means than I do. A friend recently had a devastating medical situation and someone ELSE started a drive to raise funds. Without asking the family if they even needed it. My friend, when she got better, was mortified that people might think she was involved.

And yes, asking family to donate instead of gifts is a great idea.

mccindy72

If you have a savings account started already, as you accumulate money in it, check with your bank regarding investment accounts. Often there are 6-month accounts or other short term accounts that give you quite good returns on your money, rather than just sitting in a savings account. You'll have to be patient and wait until you can afford the surgery.

100df

Is it possible to change insurance companies?

jgnatca

There are board certified surgeons in Mexico who do excellent work at a lower price. Many of my Canadian group have used them.

mccindy72

jgnatca wrote: »

There are board certified surgeons in Mexico who do excellent work at a lower price. Many of my Canadian group have used them.

Please, please be careful when thinking about this route. Do a lot of research and verify that you are seeing a board certified surgeon who is trained and works in a facility which is recommended by an organization within the US.
I helped treat a woman who wanted bariatric surgery, and when she was told she didn't qualify for it, she went to Mexico to have it done. The day she was discharged from the Mexican hospital, she had a temperature of 104. She was told that was 'part of the natural healing process'. By the time she was brought to our hospital, she was septic (a system-wide blood infection). She had a large abscess in her abdomen that required additional surgery. Because of the sepsis, her body started to shut down and her lungs went into ARDS (a condition where the lungs get so stiff it's very difficult to ventilate the patient-she couldn't breathe on her own at all). She was on the ventilator for three weeks and came very close to death.

Please be careful when considering surgery outside of the country.

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kbmnurse

Try getting a second job.

Remilia_Scarlet

I've heard of people who receive discounts on the surgery if they arrange it through a burn treatment center with the intent to donate. Maybe look into that?

Jul_334

I just wanted to update and say that I'm sorry if it came out the wrong way in regards to raising money and asking for donations. It's something I'm not 100% comfortable with, but thought it was a good starting point.

I was thinking of it as just a close family and friends type of deal. I wasn't going to announce it on FaceBook or anything like that. I was just going to ask close family members and friends, and maybe even bring up the idea to the church my family and I attend.

I am open to all kinds of ideas. The only reason I'm not working a second job at this particular time is because my current work schedule is random and hectic, and will be that way until Feb 2016. After this I'm planning to look into getting a second job on the weekends

I have done some research on other insurance companies, and honestly most of them are alike in regards to plastic surgery.

Alatariel75

I'd be wildly uncomfortable asking people to fund me, and would be wildly uncomfortable being asked to fund someone else.

mccindy72

Jul_334 wrote: »

I just wanted to update and say that I'm sorry if it came out the wrong way in regards to raising money and asking for donations. It's something I'm not 100% comfortable with, but thought it was a good starting point.

I was thinking of it as just a close family and friends type of deal. I wasn't going to announce it on FaceBook or anything like that. I was just going to ask close family members and friends, and maybe even bring up the idea to the church my family and I attend.

I am open to all kinds of ideas. The only reason I'm not working a second job at this particular time is because my current work schedule is random and hectic, and will be that way until Feb 2016. After this I'm planning to look into getting a second job on the weekends

I have done some research on other insurance companies, and honestly most of them are alike in regards to plastic surgery.

Honestly, I certainly don't think the church is the right way to go. Church donations are supposed to go for things like feeding the poor and sheltering the homeless, according to the tenets of most religions. I don't know how such a request would be received.

Jul_334

I understand, the church was just an idea. The church I attend isn't your typical idea of a church, it's very small, laid back and casual. My father and step mother have very close long term friendships with the members there. Maybe myself and the members there can help me come up with some ideas.

deescrafty

Most insurance companies have an appeal process. Ask for a second opinion, and a third from a skin care specialist--your primary care physician can refer you. Then call membership services and appeal the denial. I work with healthcare insurance daily, and many people I know have gotten the appeal approved. It helps if one specialist is also a psychologist. You can also talk to reputable plastic surgeons, some have reduced rates for people in your situation. Some may let you work part of it off by providing office help. Good luck, I'll be in the same situation soon. In the meantime, get your weight into your ideal body weight range and build muscle, it will show you are serious and will improve your looks, too.

amberlyda1

i used care credit. It took a long time to pay off, but it was worth every dime

Jul_334

@amberlyda1 Do you mind me asking if your credit score was good?

Machka9

JaneiR36 wrote: »

Second job, start a savings account specifically to fund this?

This ^^

And now is the time to get that second job with Christmas coming. Lots of people I know pick up Christmas retail work to fund things like a holiday in February or work on the house or something.

You might have left it a little bit late ... I think most of the hiring is usually done in early October, but you could still try.

amberlyda1

oh god no. my credit was horrible. My x husband used my social to open a bunch of credit cards in my ssn before the divorce paperwork was final. I had to file for bankruptcy. I got the surgery about 3/4 years later. I paid for half of my surgery from savings and the other with carecredit

amberlyda1

insurance will not cover plastic surgery in the US unless it is reconstructive because of an accident/cancer etc.

mccindy72

amberlyda1 wrote: »

insurance will not cover plastic surgery in the US unless it is reconstructive because of an accident/cancer etc.

This isn't true. Depending on the insurance company, often with the correct documentation and MD recommendation, insurance will cover plastic surgery for other things. If a woman has very large breasts, for instance, and they are causing damage to her neck and back, many insurance companies will cover a reduction. I have heard of companies covering skin reconstruction after weight loss when severe rashes and pain are happening. Rhinoplasties have been performed for both deviated septum repair, and for those who are suffering emotional distress from their appearance.

It's not always black and white.

Jul_334

Wow that's horrible what happened regarding your husband. Half with savings and half with credit sounds like it could be a great option for me. My credit score is just okay. Did you have a really high interest rate with care credit? Did they work with you regarding payment plans?

jaqcan

Just skin removal may not be all that expensive. I had a full tummy tuck with muscle repair and an insurance covered breast reduction. The muscle repair was because of two pregnancies that essentially tore my abs apart. Have you spoken to a plastic surgeon? Got an actual estimate? I went to the best in my area for an opinion, and then went to a doctor that would cover my reduction. I wish I would have gone to the best and not worried about having the reduction covered. Everything went fine, and I'm happy with my results, but the "best doctor" would have done things just a little neater and perfectionist than the one that was covered.
If you have any questions about the actual procedure or recovery you can send me a message!
Good luck in your research!