Heidi, I went through my primary physician because I had medicaid. I am still waiting for my insurance from my new job to take affect. Be forwarned it is not cheap. I need a mid section lift and the cost is 10,000.00. To have the excess skin removed from my legs is $5500.00. I didn't even bother to price my arms or boobs(which if it weren't for Victoria and her secrets would non existant)LOL!!!!! I am hoping the plastic surgeon codes it as reconstructive. I have lost a total of 170 lbs, I don't think that is cosmetic. I also work part time at the local hospital and one of the dr's here said if I had to pay out of pocket to make sure that I looked for a teaching college for a 3-4 year resident. THey are still residence but a "real" dr over see everything they do. Also, if you are having one procedure done see about having two at once and that will save $$ towards the anestesia bill, hospital/outpatient center bill. Just a few tips I figured I would pass along. GOOD LUCK!! Delainya 321/151-155/ at goal(basically)

Subject: Abdominoplasty -- Reconstructive Vs Cosmetic Here is a position paper on Abdominoplasty defining reconstructive versus cosmetic ICD-9 codes. It might be of help to any of you fighting with your insurance company over paying for your tummy tucks. One of the ladies on another support group won her appeal because of this paper. Here is the URL and you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. You can usually download it free off the internet if you don't have it. Just search for "Free Adobe". plasticsurgery.org/medical_professionals/publications/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=7119 (add http:/www. to the beginning for the link to work)

Hi Sarah, We are still unpacking .... been in our new home a month now and LOVE IT. Landscaping and BBQ were finished today. Pool and jacuzzi are usable (look great too) but the jacuzzi has some tweaking needed so are working that out. I'm using the pool at least twice a day ---- with 100+ degree weather I need to cool off and the pool is great for that. Instead of ice cream, try sugar free snow cones. They are yummy, satisfying, and no calories. So many flavors to choose from too. I use my snow cone maker a great deal even in the winter time. Mary

Heidi, I'm in the process of looking at that myself. The first step I took was contacting my insurance company and asking what they cover and what the requirements are. Some require a referral from a PCP, others don't. Mine doesn't so I just made an appointment with a surgeon myself to discuss the options and what he thought insurance will cover. It looks like I'll be able to get the boobs done because I get sores when I run, but the panni doesn't hang so there is no hope for that. Now I just have to make decisions about what's important and what I can afford. Linn

I'm like Wanda...been here but don't have much important stuff to tell. Just busy...I'm taking two college classes and I'm struggling to keep my head above water. It's was awfully hot here last week; this week is cooler but it has rained a bit every day and the humidity is worse than the heat. That makes it tough to be comfortable...too humid outside; too cold with the air conditioning inside. I keep turning the thermostat up; my husband keeps turning it down. In the evenings watching television, I still have to wear sweat pants and long-sleeved shirts! I had gained about 5 pounds and couldn't figure out why...very depressing. Today, the weight is all off again, and I still can't figure out why. It's nice to know that everyone is still here....I'm sure we're all just going through a summer slump adjusting to the heat. Love to you all, Julie