Question:
Has anyone had their Insurance to pay for plastic surgery

I have heard so many times that the most successful WLS patients are those that have went on to have the loose skin removed also. But how can you go about getting the ins. to pay for it, It is so expensive. I am 2 yrs out of RNY and no problems keeping weight off, ( especially since I still have dumping very easily) but I would love to have some plastic surgery done.    — VICKIE H. (posted on October 2, 2008)

October 2, 2008
One way to get this payed for is to be very careful about the type of plastic surgery. some will pay for skin on skin without the belly button reconstruction or lypo.
   — phyllismmay

October 2, 2008
Yes I had my tummy tuck paid by Premier Blue Cross. I went to a skin dr several times due to rash under the belly flap and was prescribed several medications with no help with the rash. I finally asked the Derm. dr if I had a tummy tuck would that help and he said yes I asked him to document that in my chart. I also went to a othopedic dr for back pain beacuase of the hanging skin. I would keep going back to the different dr's for documentation and finally I ask my WLS dr to do the surgery they took some awful looking pictures that were not very fun to pose for. I had to get on the table on my hands and knees and they took pictures of the hanging skin. They also took pictures of my belly while I was standing up straight. They submitted to the Ins co along with all the other's dr's documentation and a tummy tuck was approved. I still have loose skin on my theighs, but that is not a health issue so I was not concerned about that. I lost 185 pounds so the skin had to go. They took 8 pounds off with the tummy tuck. My stomach is very flat. It is a very painful surgery, but well worth it. Good luck
   — pjwinslow

October 2, 2008
Most insurance companies do not pay for it, as they consider it cosmetic. Many insurance companies will cut off the excess skin, but not the same way a plastic surgeon does a "tummy tuck". Get your primary care physician to document rashes or other skin conditions due to excess skin. There is a local plastic surgeon to me who does work with primary insurance companies. He negotiates with them and takes the monies they are will to pay for "excess skin removal" and takes that as part of the total plastic surgery fees. Muscle tightening, and "top notch" appearance from surgery are a part of plastic surgery, which is far different than what the typical insurance company will pay for in the form of excess skin removal. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

October 2, 2008
My MIL had open RNY 3 years ago, and just last year she had plastics done on her thighs and arms. Her insurance paid for the thighs because all the skin was hanging and weighing on her knees, and because she has bad knees to begin with, her doctor said it was a medical neccessity to do so. She paid for her arms to get done at the same time as her thighs
   — mommydragon2

October 3, 2008
Bottom line is to get documented a GOOD medical necessity problem. Rashes, back problems, etc. I had a small curvature in my spine, and after losing about 80 lbs with the Band, Stanford did 4 plastic surgeries over 2 years - bottom panni, upper abdominalplasty, breast lifting and reduction, and threw in the face. As I was loinsg weight and exercising, the loose skin and tissue was flopping around putting pressure on the spine. Make sure you get the whole surgery with muscle tighteing. Best go to a reconstructive surgeon. There is a possibility I could get my thighs done to get pressure off my knees and throw in the arms, but I'm not to thrilled with the scarring issues. i have brown Indian skin.
   — Barb McGraw

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