HELP!!!!!!

Help me if you can---I was told that plastic surgery was not an option for me any more after my by-pass--This is absurd calling hanging skin cosmetic surgery--that may be but aren't we suppose to feel good about ourselves after our surgery but we aren't suppose to look our best. If this is true then people will get to where they will not have the surgery because they can't have the plastic surgery afterwards!!! I hear that the burn center will do the surgery for the skin but I can't find out where it is located. If you can tell me then PLEAASE do so. I am desperate to find out if I can get this done in hope that I can eventualy get completely out of this wheelchair!!!! I am on medicaid and I know this is a big deal for the state of Georgia.

I too have been denied for Plastic surgery, due to it not being medically neccesary according to my Insurance. I have also heard about the possibility of skin donation. I spent several days looking into this, this past fall and this is what I found out. For people that have lost a great deal of weight and have alot of excess skin, (like us) we are not really canidates for skin donation. Actually, on several websites including the National donor registry it is medically UNETHICAL. The reason for this, they say, is that people who have been burned and need skin only need the thinnest of layers, and when we have the skin removed there is much more than they need. So the cost factor is involved as most of the skin goes to waste. Also, the most optimum place to remove skin for donation is the back or anywhere else where the skin is " tighter" and in our case the places where skin is in excess would not be suitable. I spoke with someone at Shriners Hospital Burn center all the way in Ohio, and they told me, that they receive alot of inquires about this, but they can not do it, and that no one should do it. I am sorry that I couldn't give you much hopeful information, I to was really counting on that as an option for me, Now maybe there is someplace that does do it, But for me, I spoke with reputable people and made the decision that this was not an option. I really wish you luck in whatever you can do, and please keep up the search, I am just telling you what I know. Cathy Martin

i have heard that they will do the plastic surgery but it has to be noted that the skin is causing irritation and it has to be noted in your medical records either by your pcp or surgeon.

I have heard many different things about this. At first, someone told me that the Augusta Burn Center would do it here in GA. My best fiend who had the sugery about 21 months ago was calling to check into it, and played phone tag with the lady there and got fed up and quit trying. Now her insurance has approved it, so no need for her to keep investigating. I have also heard that burn centers won't do the plastic surgeries. So who knows for sure. However, make sure whenever you get any kind of rash, or infection that you make sure that your PCP makes notes in your office chart. You will needs these notes when it comes time for proof of medical necessity. Susan Lap RNY 12-1-04 285-247-155 (-38)