Question:
does anyone have bc/bs of sc and have reconstructive

surgery done? I have lost already 120lbs and was wonding if bcbs has paid for anyone to have a abdominoplasty ( circumferential)done? I have gone to the ps and was quoted $8400 to have it done the anesthesia and opertaing room will be $3021. i still have some weight to loss not a whole lot but I am just trying to get all my ducks in a row I want to try and get the surgery done on me 2 year in March. Any help will greatly be appreciated. thank you for all your help. Becky    — rebegraves (posted on October 1, 2004)

October 1, 2004
First, most insurance companies will not approve surgery until you have been post op (min.) of 1 year to 18 months. You have to have reached goal and be at a stable weight for 4 to 6 months. They will not approve if you are still losing weight because the surgery will have to be redone. Please keep in mind that most insurance companys think that skin removal is cosmetic and not reconstruction. You will need to have your surgeon and primary doctor if you have one start writing in your medical file that you are having problems with the extra skin. This still may not help. Before doctors recommend bypass surgery they need to be honest and state that insurances approve bypass surgery for health reasons but the skin removal is not considered a health risk. I'm very lucky, I'm having a butt and thigh lift December 10th. However, I do have some out of pocket expenses. I have to pay an additional 4,000 because of the extensive surgery they will need to perform on the lower part and I'm paying for my arms (addtional 2,500). All has to be paid up front before the surgery. Please keep this in mind. In the meantime, keep exercising and losing the weight. The more you firm up the less the the SP has to cut. Good Luck to you.
   — Linda R.