Can't afford weight loss surgery

nicolerasmus94 · April 2018

I'm 21 years old and have been obese nearly all of my life. It's always been hard for me to lose and keep off weight, so I've been thinking a lot about surgery lately. I feel like it could be really good for me, but I am a student and will be for a couple more years, so it will be a while before I have substantial income. It would be great if I didn't have to wait that long though as I feel like my mental health would improve a great deal as a result, along with my physical health of course, and that these would help me to finish out school strong. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone on here was able to receive financial help for their procedure and how you went about doing that?

Francl27 · April 2018

Save the money and start using MFP. Surgery isn't a magical solution, and it's not without risks either.

sschauer513 · April 2018

My insurance would pay for mine but it would not pay for me to do it naturally and visit the dietitians and doctors at the weight loss center at the hospital figure that one out. I also would add don't expect surgery to cure anything except your weight if you have an unhealthy relationship with food that will still be there and should be addressed. Surgery is not a simple one step solution there are many complications and health concerns to address.

My suggestion is try it MFP way seek help from registered dietitians and doctors that can help you. Plus when I looked at surgery I had to lose weight anyway before I would even been aloud to have it anyways.

weebo1980 · April 2018

hi i have been obese most of my life and i am 37 now, i am starting my journey here on my fitness pal its hard i am scared but this is the way to do it surgery dont always work and you can spend all that money for nouhing you need to teach yourself new ways or eatting and living if you like to chat i am here x

snowflake954 · April 2018

My niece had the surgery--and gained most of the weight back. ANY surgery is risky and can have complications. I would advise you to start MFP. Plug in your stats and get your daily calorie goal. Buy a digital food scale and weigh and measure everything you eat and drink. Stay within your daily calorie goal. Try to exercise a little to start--even walking is good. There are many success threads on here of people who have lost 100+lbs. Read them now and again to keep yourself going. Take your measurements once a week and keep a journal. This will help you when you hit a rough patch, and you can see your progress on the tape measure. You have to learn to eat smaller portions and surgery will not teach you that. MFP will. You can be a success story too. Good luck.

ceiswyn · April 2018

I had been obese or morbidly obese for my entire life before I started working on my relationship with food and my new understanding of how much of what I thought was physical hunger was actually psychological.

I’m now merely ‘overweight’, and only 12 lbs away from ‘healthy weight’. No surgery needed.

tiptoethruthetulips · April 2018

Weight loss surgery is a tool to help in weight loss, but unless the issues that led to overeating are addressed, it is likely that weight loss surgery will fail over the long term.

Weight loss surgery will not resolve mental health issues you need to work on them with your medical care team.

lois1231 · April 2018

I thought I did everything right, researched the surgery, attended every support group, talked to people, went to all my appointments, and had counselling. I had the surgery in 2001 and lost 72 pounds only. After about 5 years I regained all the weight plus reinforcements to my highest weight ever of 317 pounds. It is not the easy way out. I collapsed both lungs, was in ICU and the hospital 10 days. Surgery does not change your relationship with food. The smallest serving of meat would make me ill so I found ways to get around it by eating food that wouldn't make me ill and grazing. I still had bad habits. I try to not discourage people from getting it because in the long run it is your choice and in some ways it was good for me. At the time I didn't feel I could lose the weight on my own and needed double knee replacements. After surgery I was able to do that. I have been pain free in both knees since 2002 and 2003. It is not an easy way out or a quick fix and some people like me have side effects later on. For me it is hernias, ulcers, barretts esophagus, and major dental work from all the vomiting and weight gain. Most people not all gain some weight a couple of years after the surgery. Again I am saying not all, but many do. My insurance did cover it. I was lucky in that aspect.

malibu927 · April 2018

So lose weight without it. My sister-in-law had it when she was younger than you and she’s had numerous complications from it. That turned me off the idea for good.

ACanadian22 · April 2018

I am one believes that people should do what they want. If that is what you want, fine

While you are waiting, why not adjust your eating(because you will have to after the surgery). One thing that I would do(which I did) is set your goals low....like 10 or 15 pounds at a time to lose. It doesn't hit you as hard when you see the weight moving instead of saying for example that you have 100 pounds to lose or whatever it is.
Now, here are some treats that have really helped me..
-Walden Farms( LOVE THIS!! Totally fat and sugar free creamers, sauces, salad dressings, chip dips, and more!)
-Halo ice cream...Hey, until you try it, don't knock it

-Subway!! Yes, I love me a sub, but I get it mayo free and lay the gobs of Walden farms mayo on it.

Walk!!! Walk!!! Walk!!! Low impact and start slow. Don't dive in on any of this. Slowly change your walking and eating and you will be shocked at how fast you will be buying new clothes. And never kick your butt if you have a bad day. We all have them...Be like a dog. Sniff it, pee on it and move on

Wishing you the best of luck!!!!

kshama2001 · April 2018

nicolerasmus94 wrote: »

I'm 21 years old and have been obese nearly all of my life. It's always been hard for me to lose and keep off weight, so I've been thinking a lot about surgery lately. I feel like it could be really good for me, but I am a student and will be for a couple more years, so it will be a while before I have substantial income. It would be great if I didn't have to wait that long though as I feel like my mental health would improve a great deal as a result, along with my physical health of course, and that these would help me to finish out school strong. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone on here was able to receive financial help for their procedure and how you went about doing that?

How much weight do you have to lose?

I'm all for WLS for some cases, for example for the people on My 600 Pound Life WLS is a truly life saving procedure. I imagine given your age you don't have multiple hundreds of pounds to lose, however.

What kind of counseling do you have available at school? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very beneficial.

This book on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for overeating was available in my library system, so perhaps yours as well, and if not, it's a lot cheaper than surgery

The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person

Can thinking and eating like a thin person be learned, similar to learning to drive or use a computer? Beck (Cognitive Therapy for Challenging Problems) contends so, based on decades of work with patients who have lost pounds and maintained weight through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Beck's six-week program adapts CBT, a therapeutic system developed by Beck's father, Aaron, in the 1960s, to specific challenges faced by yo-yo dieters, including negative thinking, bargaining, emotional eating, bingeing, and eating out. Beck counsels readers day-by-day, introducing new elements (creating advantage response cards, choosing a diet, enlisting a diet coach, making a weight-loss graph) progressively and offering tools to help readers stay focused (writing exercises, to-do lists, ways to counter negative thoughts). There are no eating plans, calorie counts, recipes or exercises; according to Beck, any healthy diet will work if readers learn to think differently about eating and food. Beck's book is like an extended therapy session with a diet coach. (Apr.)

Lesscookies12 · April 2018

You're young and you don't have much income perfect time to check with your insurance carrier about getting it if you don't have much income it may end up being free. Good luck!!

I once had to be in the hospital to get an X-ray my income was low so the trip was free for me, and I was also obese, and my insurance said if I got weight loss surgery it would be considered preventive service so it's free no deductible or 20% co-insurance. I ended up losing the weight myself so didn't take advantage but I had many opportunities. Make sure you ask don't assume you can't afford something if you haven't asked.

TeaBea · April 2018

Francl27 wrote: »

Save the money and start using MFP. Surgery isn't a magical solution, and it's not without risks either.

This^

Weight loss (even from surgery) is going to take some permanent lifestyle changes to maintain. A smaller (future) you is going to require a smaller calorie intake forever.

Start by learning about your current eating habits. That's FREE. Set your goal on My Fitness Pal to maintenance. Then measure & log the food you currently eat. Get an idea about what foods "cost" you in terms of calories.

After a couple weeks of food input, change your goal to weight loss. Your new calorie goal is going to require some changes. But you can make educated changes based on your data from the prior weeks. You can decide what foods just aren't worth the calories. If you can eliminate 500 calories a day, you will lose 1 pound a week. If you can eliminate 1000 calories a day, you will lose 2 pounds a week. Food choices will be all yours.

slw37 · April 2018

The surgery isn't magic; you still have to DO THE WORK. (I have not had the surgery but I have seen coworkers have it, lose weight, then regain the weight. All that for nothing.)

kommodevaran · April 2018

Use the fact that you can't afford weight loss surgery to stop and think. Surgery is risky, and weight loss surgery is irreversible and will impact many aspects of your functioning for the rest of your life.

Rephrase and reframe. Instead of "it's always been hard for me to lose and keep off weight" - can you say "it's always been hard for me to not eat too much"? Weightloss, not surgery, will be good for you, both mental and physical health. The good thing is that you don't have to wait, or pay for anything, or let yourself be cut open. Take charge, today. Face the difficulties and the anxiety. Stop whatever diets you've tried. Use MFP's calorie target as the base for a healthy and sustainable weightloss and maintenance plan. Get help, find someone to talk to, educate yourself on the basics of nutrition, work on patience and mental toughness.

skinnygirly23 · April 2018

You're very young to be considering surgery as an alternative. In this day and age, with all the advanced technology we all tend to want everything instantly. When we don't get it we grow irritated.

One thing you have on your side is your age. Being 21 you should be able to make changes to your diet and exercise that should give you some results fairly quick.

Surgery should be a last resort. Have patience with yourself and the process. This app is good if you apply it. Take it one day at a time. You may not get instant results but be persistent and you will get them.

Lounmoun · April 2018

Even with surgery you will have to reduce your calorie intake and have some discipline to be succesful long term. Surgery isn't magic. Your body is altered and you have to change your habits.

Try using MFP starting today.
Start logging everything you consume as accurately as you can for a couple of weeks. Then start reducing calories.
Setting a goal to lose 2 lbs a week might be okay if you are obese but 1 lb a week might be easier to stick to. It is going to take time to lose a large amount of weight and learn to keep it off.
Look at your food diary and pay attention to where a lot of calories are coming from in your diet.
Change your diet in small ways over time. Reduce portion sizes of higher calorie foods and drinks. Increase lower calorie foods in your diet like vegetables. Try lower calorie versions of products. Try cooking more and eating out less. When you eat out look up nutritional information to make choices that fit your goals better. Buy smaller amounts of food. Switch to diet drinks, water, unsweetened teas. Get enough protein, fats, fiber to feel more satisfied.

Every day will not be perfect. It takes time to change. If you have a high calorie day learn from it, move on and do better.

If you are an emotional eater you need to address that and develop new tools for dealing with your emotions.

Walking might be good exercise to start with if you have been very sedentary. Try short walks and increase what you do over time.

MoiAussi93 · April 2018

If you can't keep weight off, surgery won't help you. You need to change your unhealthy habits. If you magically woke up at a healthy weight tomorrow but keep eating the way you currently do, you will gain back every pound very quickly.

Surgery is not magic. Many people who have weight loss surgery gain the weight back as well. They fail for the same reason other people fail...they kept their bad eating habits.

svel713 · April 2018

Calorie count to lose weight. Save the money instead for potential loose skin removal.

candicew70 · April 2018

My mom is planning on getting the surgery. She told me that most people gain back the weight within 3 years. That seems crazy, but it also demonstrates that it's not a permanent solution. She's elderly and not really able to exercise so I'm being supportive. But for you at 21, it seems like you might want to consider other options.

SalinitySally · April 2018

svel713 wrote: »

Calorie count to lose weight. Save the money instead for potential loose skin removal.

You beat me to it. My niece put her WLS on her credit card. She lost some weight but gained it all back and was still in debt. I'd be more willing to finance skin removal/breast lift/tummy tuck. It's a good incentive for losing by eating less and moving more, which you have to do even with WLS.

evileen99 · April 2018

Chiming in with what everyone else said--if you don't change your eating habits, WLS isn't going to work. I know two people who had the surgery, and they're now fatter than they were before the operation because they kept their old eating habits.

Since you're a student, take advantage of your school's mental heath facilities to get help figuring out WHY you overeat. Then, as others have said, lose the weight naturally and save your money for any skin removal surgery you might need.

Good luck. I know it's not what you want to hear, but even with the surgery, you're going to have to follow a very low calorie diet for the rest of your life if you want to be thinner. You can do that for free and without the risks/side effects of surgery.

cbstewart88 · April 2018

Take the money the surgery would've cost and bank it. Starting today, do the MFP thing and work to lose 1lb/wk for two years. That is 100 lbs!!! Then using the "surgery" money, treat yourself to a trip to Paris and buy a new wardrobe!!!

ninerbuff · April 2018

Surgery DOESN'T change your relationship with food nor your behavior with eating. If you're obese, you got that way by over consumption. Till you fix that issue, surgery is nothing more than a band aid. Gotta change your behavior first. And for many that do it, they end up losing weight anyway.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Silentpadna · April 2018

nicolerasmus94 wrote: »

I'm 21 years old ... I feel like my mental health would improve a great deal as a result...

Only you can make the decision you are talking about. There are points posted by others on both sides that have merit.

So I'll nitpick for a second instead. The parts of your post that would concern me are above. Be very careful if you are depending on this for mental health reasons. Quick fixes may help - sometimes they don't. And I'm not saying that in a perjorative sense. WLS helps in the right situations. But your mental health may be in a worse position if the WLS doesn't give you the long-term answer you are looking for.

But...there are underlying habits that got you where you are. You can change them. You do not have to change all of them immediately. For example:

You can cut out one snack.

You can start by weighing your portions without changing anything. Then make small adjustments there.

You can start with very modest deficits.

You can start walking. Progress over time.

Just start with one of them. Then add another. Then another, etc. It's not a race. It's a life.

At 21, time is on your side. You can start any of these things well before WLS if you decide to have it. If you do, the chances of the surgery being successful will increase. You also may realize that the surgery along with its associated risks is not necessary. Remember some of the risk of the surgery is not just its complications, but the risk of it not working for you.

WillingtoLose1001984 · April 2018

nicolerasmus94 wrote: »

I'm 21 years old and have been obese nearly all of my life. It's always been hard for me to lose and keep off weight, so I've been thinking a lot about surgery lately. I feel like it could be really good for me, but I am a student and will be for a couple more years, so it will be a while before I have substantial income. It would be great if I didn't have to wait that long though as I feel like my mental health would improve a great deal as a result, along with my physical health of course, and that these would help me to finish out school strong. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone on here was able to receive financial help for their procedure and how you went about doing that?

If you can't afford it or insurance won't cover it ( I'd go to an introductory bariatric meeting to find out, thann either use MFP or another app to track calories. Don't be too hard on yourself! Take your time to lose the weight. You are still young. If I was 21, I'd just try to lose a pound a week for 2 years. I wish I had done that! Now I'm 33 and want kids and feel like that time is getting short!

Sayanogo · April 2018

If you have urgent health issues caused by being overweight, I think surgery might be a good choice. Talk to your doctor about it if you haven't. An educated medical opinion is tons better than dreaming of a surgery thinking it will help.

If you don't have urgent health issues, then you have time to lose slowly. Take that time. Learning how to develop a healthier lifestyle is what's important. If you don't develop one, surgery won't help anything. You'll just gain the weight back, be out of time and money, and have faced the complications of surgery for nothing.

I second the idea that you should use the mental health services available at your school. Work on bettering your quality of life. You have time to grow into a healthier person.

estherdragonbat · April 2018

My father and sister have both had WLS. This is going back a few years, so the complications my sister experienced may no longer be as common. My father did well initially, but the weight is starting to creep back. He's fighting to lose it again.

When I was 103lbs heavier, he was pushing me to get on the waiting list. I decided against it for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that I'm a vegetarian. Whole grains and beans area major part of my diet. And are generally not safe to eat after WLS. I saw my father have to give up fresh bread, because he could only handle toast and crackers. I didn't want to have to give up so many of my basic staples.

I started MFP just over 17 months ago and I've dropped 103lbs making small changes, keeping most of the same foods (I've consciously cut back on bakery desserts and I tend to order foods at restaurants that are easier to track. Example: I'll go for a 10" pizza over a salad-bowl sized serving of pasta. If I'm having pasta, I go for stuff like canneloni, where I can look at 4-5 entries in the database and ballpark it, as opposed to the 'chef's signature dish with an original sauce', etc. But I haven't given up desserts or pastas; I just mostly opt for homemade and weigh my portions.)

amusedmonkey · April 2018

From what I know, surgery patients need to lose weight for 6 months before they go into surgery. Pretend you're in the pre-surgery phase and start counting calories. You may or may not be able to get the insurance to pay for yours, but after 6 months you may find yourself saying "hey, this isn't as bad as I thought" and change your mind about surgery. Stick around the forums here and you'll pick up quite a few tricks that don't require you torturing yourself for weight loss. Even if after a while you decide to you still want the surgery and manage to get funding, you will have acquired a few skills to help you with weight management post-surgery.

WillingtoLose1001984 · April 2018

estherdragonbat wrote: »

My father and sister have both had WLS. This is going back a few years, so the complications my sister experienced may no longer be as common. My father did well initially, but the weight is starting to creep back. He's fighting to lose it again.

When I was 103lbs heavier, he was pushing me to get on the waiting list. I decided against it for a number of reasons, not the least of which was that I'm a vegetarian. Whole grains and beans area major part of my diet. And are generally not safe to eat after WLS. I saw my father have to give up fresh bread, because he could only handle toast and crackers. I didn't want to have to give up so many of my basic staples.

I started MFP just over 17 months ago and I've dropped 103lbs making small changes, keeping most of the same foods (I've consciously cut back on bakery desserts and I tend to order foods at restaurants that are easier to track. Example: I'll go for a 10" pizza over a salad-bowl sized serving of pasta. If I'm having pasta, I go for stuff like canneloni, where I can look at 4-5 entries in the database and ballpark it, as opposed to the 'chef's signature dish with an original sauce', etc. But I haven't given up desserts or pastas; I just mostly opt for homemade and weigh my portions.)

You can eat a plant based diet after surgery. There's a bariatric doctor on youtube who talks about it.

Can't afford weight loss surgery

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