I've been reading about Dr. Suporn and all the amazing work he does. Wetness? REALLY? What a revolutionary! Hopefully soon insurance will be required to cover this.

Actually, does insurance ever cover surgeries abroad?

Quote from: MugwortPsychonaut on April 09, 2015, 01:16:02 PM
Actually, does insurance ever cover surgeries abroad?

I don't think I have ever heard about anything like that... It could be possible with taking a legal action approach, IF you live in a country where is no option for any kind of SRS, and you have very decent health care system. Like if you live in one country within European Union, and because they don't provide that, they should enable you to have that done in some other country within European Union.

Other than that, wishful thinking.

No disrespect to any surgeon, but there is a lot hype about some of these techniques - for example some of us who had surgery over 30 years ago have "wetness" so while I don't doubt that he does do a great job, I would advise doing your research when the time comes.

Techniques are always changing. Also you only have to look at some of the other threads on here to understand that no surgeon is infalible. They all do their very best, but they can all have the occasional failure too. So keep an open mind, and be aware that some of what is written on the internet is probably a bit hyped by over-exicited journalists who don't always know what has been possible for some while.

Insurance as far as I know only covers surgery in the U.S. I may end up staying stateside for my SRS as a result. That said if you are eligible you could deduct it on your income tax.

I read a ton about Suporn before I chose Chettawut for my surgery in July.

I can summarize what I've read about Suporn as follows:  When he's good, he's exceptionally good, maybe the best in the world. When he's bad, you're going to have issues and it may take another surgeon to fix them. The inconsistency I perceived from my readings, here and at other websites, led me to rule him out. If you go, I hope he's having one of his great days!

Eighteen thousand dollars... what does it matter? I'll never be able to afford this, anyway.

Quote from: MugwortPsychonaut on April 16, 2015, 01:50:06 PM
Eighteen thousand dollars... what does it matter? I'll never be able to afford this, anyway.

It seems daunting, doesn't it? But you can do this. Maybe not instantly, but you can.

My GCS for this summer with Dr. Chettawut was listed at 330,000 Thai Bhat. Right now, today, that is 10174.68. Add in about $900 for a month at the cottages, another $1000 for food and such (and I'm being extravagant I think even taking a friend) and add in $3000 in air fare for two and my entire trip is going to cost about $15,000 for all of it related to GCS. I have another 110,000 Thai Bhat, or $3391.56 for BA but not everyone does BA when they do GCS.

From what I know, you could do this for $15,000 or thereabouts.

Now let's think about this. If you have a decent job and can save say, $5000, in a couple years, you could apply for a $10,000 personal loan, to be paid back over 3-6 years. That $5000 is about $138 per month for three years. That's it. If you could save $200 a month for three years you'd have half the cost saved ($7200).

A personal loan plus your savings and you could do this. Plus insurance may eventually begin covering this more uniformly too.

Don't think about what you can't do. Ask yourself how you can do it then start working towards that goal, one step at a time.

*hugs*

I haven't had a job in over four years. I had a serious accident in my brain when I was a child, that has left me with various physical and mental issues that make me an undesirable employment candidate. (I'm not dumb; I just space out a lot.) I also deal with crippling anxiety and depression. I know these all sound like excuses, but it's the truth.

I was terrible at school, and I'm terrible at work. This sucks. I hate this. I hate life.

Quote from: MugwortPsychonaut on April 16, 2015, 03:55:23 PM
I haven't had a job in over four years. I had a serious accident in my brain when I was a child, that has left me with various physical and mental issues that make me an undesirable employment candidate. (I'm not dumb; I just space out a lot.) I also deal with crippling anxiety and depression. I know these all sound like excuses, but it's the truth.

I was terrible at school, and I'm terrible at work. This sucks. I hate this. I hate life.

Have a *hug* ... and another one *hug*

it does not sound like an excuse...

well is it possible to get some kind of disability and maybe do some kind of volunteer work ?
And being active at susans is kind of volunteer work too imo...

and, well, life sometimes compensates in other ways...
*hugs*

Quote from: Laura_7 on April 16, 2015, 04:47:44 PM
Have a *hug* ... and another one *hug*

it does not sound like an excuse...

well is it possible to get some kind of disability and maybe do some kind of volunteer work ?
And being active at susans is kind of volunteer work too imo...

and, well, life sometimes compensates in other ways...
*hugs*

Thank you.

I do volunteer at the world's coolest non-profit thrift store, which makes it the world's coolest thrift store, which puts it up as a candidate for the world's coolest store. I love it there. Everybody I work with makes me feel so good and loved. I do a good job at what I do there. Granted, it's super easy. I've never fit in anywhere in my life, but I fit in there. When I lived in the city, I was in there most days, since I had not much else to do. Even if I were a gazillionaire and never had to worry about money, I would still volunteer there.

Unfortunately, I now live an hour away from the city. I only get to go once a week now. The rest of the time, I'm isolated at my parents' house, in the middle of nowhere.