Crowdfunding your surgery?

For me personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking my friends and family to fund my weight-loss surgery.  This is something I can plan for and save for myself and I’m not overly concerned about heading to Mexico for the surgery.  I guess I just see crowdfunding more as a resource for dire emergencies. I don’t judge others who crowdfund for any reason though. 

I would absolutely donate to a friend or family members crowdfunding account, assuming I had extra funds at the time.  However, I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting help with weight-loss surgery simply because I’m so insecure about my body and don’t want to draw attention to my weight.  I was blessed to have insurance that covered my surgery and my heart goes out to those who are struggling to figure things out.  It shouldn’t be this way.

I was fortunate that my insurance covered my surgery, but I know there are a lot of people who aren’t as fortunate. I’d gladly donate towards a friend or family member’s surgery if I had extra funds. I think it’s hard for most people to ask for help, so I’d consider someone who does rather brave. 

Even with medical insurance I needed help paying for surgery.  I’m thankful that my parents were able to give me a loan for the copay and deductible.  My grandparents helped purchase some of my supplies like vitamins and protein powder.  I really appreciate their support.  Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. 

I’ve donated to a friend who wanted to have gastric bypass surgery.  She set her campaign up on YouCaring and I was happy to kick some money her way.  I don’t see any difference between funding weight-loss surgery and funding coronary-artery bypass graft surgery.  The latter is likely to happen unless she loses weight, so the way I see it, funding the preventive is a wise choice.