questions re plastic surgery

Hi everyone,

I know there is a Plastics forum but my question in BC related.  A friend, who was considering having RNY, told me that she believes that the BC medical plan covers two post-WLS plastic surgeries providing you've reached your goal weight and they're done within two years of your surgery date.

I can't seem to find anything that supports this and though I'll ask my surgeon the next time I see him - I'm still pre-op - he's not the most communicative fellow so not sure what sort of response he'll give.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with this.

Thanks very much,

Cathrine

HW: 261  CW: 232

My friend (who had RnY) is getting plastic surgery soon and she is not getting anything covered by BC Med.
Rhonda

I am 13 months since surgery and started seeing a plastic surgeon in Vancouver in March.
Its for breast reduction surgery which is paid for by MSP.  There is an additional procedure involved with the surgery that I have agreed to pay an additional $1000 to have.  We also discussed an adominplasty and was told that I would have to pay for this directly and it was approx. $4K Cdn.  MSP pays for pannus removal, so that would be part of the surgery and then I would have the adomiplasty which is the additional.

The surgeon would prefer you are at goal, however, I was not aware or made aware of within 2 years.  That is something I would ask your surgeon.

If you are considering any plastic surgery, your GP can refer you to a plastic surgeon.  I am having another appt once I lose another 15 to 20 lbs and will ask about the 2 year deadline.

When in Bellevue for OH conference in July, went to the plastic surgery session and both of the above surgeries are $7500 USD each. 

Not sure what the out of country rates are, but that is also a consideration.

Thank you.  I'm sure there are procedures that aren't going to be covered by MSP but it's reassuring to hear that breast reduction is as well as pannus removal.  That's all I'll really be looking for.

I welcome other replies if anyone else has something to share.  :)

Unfortunately for me I don't need a breast reduction, I need a breast reinflation lol.

I can totally relate! 

Dr Amson told my friend that even though BC Medical does pay for the extra skin to be removed, in the panni area.......the doctors barely get paid for it, and most won't do it because of that.
The trick is to find a doctor who will do it for what they pay.

My friend just seen someone in Duncun and I'm waiting to hear how that went.