Anyone have any luck with Kaiser plastics?

Will do. Thanks so much!!

Hi Jo, I'm currently going through this process and it is somewhat difficult to say the least!  I am going through Kaiser Fontana.  I was referred to dermatology due to a chronic yeast rash under my breasts and under my pannus.  After 12 months your primary can refer you to plastics.  You are supposed to have a BMI under 30 and be weight stable for that to happen.  My surgeon and primary had agreed that I really couldn't lose much more due to my high level of muscle mass and low body fat percentage.  I had to attend a panniculectomy class at Kaiser Fontana, and then see a plastic surgeon.  At Kaisers in my area, they ONLY do panniculectomy, and will not do a breast lift without a reduction.  Since the dermatologist that I had seen AT Fontana was also the chief of dermatology at Kaiser West LA, and since he had recommended a complete tummy tuck, I was allowed to have another plastic opinion by someone in West LA.  West LA and Kaiser Westwood have an extensive plastic surgery program, and you can pay the difference between the surgeries.  I do not have enough breast tissue left for a reduction, but I have a serious skin problem there, so when I went to the plastic surgeon in West LA I asked about my breasts as well.  The surgeon I saw agreed that I needed well more than a pannus removal and that my breasts HAD to be lifted due to medical issues.  He also felt that for me, my best surgery would be a belt lipectomy or lower body lift.  I have to pay the difference in price from the covered benefit of a pannus removal - which is ALL Kaiser will cover and the LBL.  That difference is just under $16,000.  The difference between a panniculectomy and tummy tuck is about $4,000.  I am planning on doing the LBL and Kaiser West LA will do a breast lift on me due to the chronic rashes without removing any of my remaining breast tissue.  Also, West LA does not have the mandatory 6 - 12 month waiting period to make sure that your weight is stable, and they do not require a BMI of less than 30 for those of us who are very muscular and low body fat.  They look at each case separately.   One thing important to note is that if I do this through Kaiser, and have any complications or need additional care, my Kaiser medical covers it.  If I went outside of Kaiser and had a problem, it would not be covered by Kaiser, and I would have to pay more out of pocket.  To me, that was important.  I could pay less else where, but if I had a problem during recovery, how much more would it cost?  I would ask if you could be referred to West LA for a consult if need be.  They are in the Kaiser system, and are part of the S. California Region, they just offer more and better services!

Hi Jennie,

Thanks so much for the info. Kaiser fontana is where I was going to be headed for my "preventative medicine consult" so now that I know how that's going to go I'll just go with plan b....good ol' mexico after I'm cleared to have another child.

For the cost difference I might as well just do it down there...it's cheaper...and less hassle.

good luck to you..keep me posted with your progress

Thanks your info was most helpful.  I will keep it for future reference.

I had no problem getting approved by Kaiser for a Panniculectmy and hernia repair, of course its been a couple of years..

Luckily I didnt have a large "muffin at the time, and the panniculectomy tightened my abdoman enough that it looked fine with out the extra muscle work.

 

 

good luck