Plastic Surgery Q&A Group

Comment

Comment by Anna Sandos on April 28, 2009 at 11:45pm

Apr. 08 I had a hernia repair witha full tummy tuck and panni removal.
For me the recovery time was very slow.....almost a year out and was still on limited weight/endurance. Now at a bit over a year, I can really see the increse of strength aand stamina. My insurance at first was only going to pay for the hernia, but fter 2 delays in my surgery date they ended up paying for all of it, shy the $2000 doc fees. We had already made our yearly deductable/out of pocket expenses. Thank God because my 3 day stay ended up 5 days! And then at week out my inscision opened up about 12" long wise and at a month out after surgery #1 I had surgery #2 to debride and sew up the open area. I've had over a year of "spitting" where my body spits out the unwanted disolving stitches. Just had one pulled out a couple weeks ago....again!
All in all with the complications and long recovery time.....IT WAS WORTH IT! I have a flat belly for the first time in my life! I actually spill things on my lap.....not my chest or belly shelf! I understand why the napkin is laid on your lap! It is amazing!
My advice is do your homework.
Ask LOTS of questions.....and demand answers
Expect a long recovery time and a few complications.
Plan on needing help for a few weeks.
Enjoy the continuing of the journey! It is worth the trip!!!!!

Comment by Kathleen Hoskins on April 12, 2009 at 9:17pm

I recently had plastic surgery and had a lower tummy tuck and also a vertical tummy tuck. I have Blue Cross insurance and they paid for the lower skin removal but I had an out of pocket expense for the vertical procedure. I had rashes that I had been to the doctor for and the insurance company wants documentation that you have been treated for rashes and any other problems that the excess skin causes. Your plastic surgeon should be able to tell you what your insurance may or may not pay for and then you can decide what you can do. It has been wonderful for me and well worth the extra cost. I have lost 126 pounds and went from a size 24/26 to a 4/6. It has been a great journey. Good Luck to you.

Comment by Pam Leis on April 11, 2009 at 10:03pm

On Wednesday Last, I went for my 4yrs's post op check up and talked with my surgery about the plastic surgery- well I was told there is another thing that Insurance companys well allow for people who had wls..it's called Panniculectomy (maybe some of you already knew about this) any how I going to be checking with my insurance company more, getting picture taken of the rash, and so on hopeing maybe this well be something I can have done.

Comment by Deby on March 26, 2009 at 7:42am

I began my journey on 4/6/03 and lost 130 pounds. After stabilizing at approx. 18 months, I had 2 plastic surgery procedures: lower body lift & thigh reduction in October 2004 and a breast lift/augmentation & arm reduction in April 2005. I have begun to gradually regain a little bit of weight (about 20 pounds) but the plastic surgery still looks fabulous!

Comment by Katie Jay on March 24, 2009 at 5:55pm

Hi Cleofet!

You might want to start a discussion thread by clicking on the "Start Discussion" link above. That way people will be able to see your topic more easily. Let me know if you need help doing that. In the meantime, congrats on your weight loss. Honestly, it is really worth it to finish losing and maintain your weight for as much as two years. I would recommend being stable and well-practiced at maintaining your weight loss. I know it's hard to be patient, but it's not uncommon for people to have PS too early and then to regain. So, first things first, in my opinion. With regard to insurance, many want to see physical health problems related to the excess skin -- and they require documentation. So, if you get any rashes or other problems, see your doc, take photos, etc.

Glad you're here in the NAWLS Network!

Comment by Cleofet on March 24, 2009 at 4:53pm

I was banded Oct. 07 and have lost about 70 pounds and have about 30 more to go. I know I will make that goal sometime in 09 (hopefully soon then later). I was wondering when is a good time to go see a plastic surgone. I have Federal Blue cross and Blue shield insurance does anyone know what do they look for as their reason for approving the surgeries?