plastic surgery info session update

Here is what I learned:

insurance generally only covers a pannilectomy - and usually only if your panni hangs to or below your pubic bone.  rashes, etc help the cause.

Tufts insurance is the hardest to get approved with, Harvard Pilgrim is the easiest (though no guarantees with either).

Breast Reductions CAN be covered, but usually not for WLS patients.  The "rule of thumb" is to need to remove at least 1 can of soda worth of tissue (not skin) in order for insurance approval.  Most of us don't have that after major weight loss.

This particular surgeon said that most of his procedures cost $5000 - $8000 each. (that includes hospital stay, OR, anesthesia, etc). 

He said his practice is 2/3 WLS patients (which is great - he knows our bodies!).

He reiterated what we have all heard, that no amount of exercise is going to change how much leftover skin we have (in fact, he said what I have already learned, which is that the more you exercise and build muscle the MORE skin you will have because you will be much leaner  - unless you go into body building of course - then the muscle will fill in, you'll just be a bulky body builder!).

Genetics and youth and how many gain and loss cycles you've been through in your life are the real determinators.

Scarring is unavoidable after plastics.  We say many examples of his work, some scarring more noticeable than others.  He explained that the differences were because of the individual person's scarring - not examples of him having a good or bad day at work.  We are all different in terms of how are skin repairs scars.

Worst scarring areas:  under arms (brachioplasty)
Best scarring area: abdomin - lower body lift, tummy tuck. 

Here is his website - he has a whole section on post-WLS procedures, "body contouring".  He operates out of Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and does some procedures in his office in Wellesley.

I have a consult scheduled with him in 2 weeks.

Thanks for the info Sue! 
I have an appt with Dr Pitts,she also works out of Newton Wellesley (and Faulkner Hosp).  I'm having a consult for breast reduction...I am having alot of pain in my neck shoulders and back.
When I saw my PCP last week she said the insurance will cover it, as long as you have 3 grams of tissue that need to be removed. I'm not sure if that's the same as a can of soda? 
Good luck with your consult! :)

Sue, this is very helpful.  I had no idea what was involved with the lower body lift, I just checked out his site and it explains it pretty well.  I carry the bulk of my weight in my hips/bum/thighs, mostly bum, so I'm thinking this is where my excess skin will be the worst.  I'd love to learn more about this.  Good luck at your consult!

Going to add something:

My plastic surgeon told us (at our group) that she has seen insurance cover droopy/saggy eye lids from excessive weight loss. I guess it's not considered cosmetic. Just adding it to your list

actually, any droopy eye lids that impair vision are likely to be covered, regardless of how they got that way.... but EXCELLENT to point it out, Brooke!!

Good luck Sue!! I will be interested to hear about your plastics journey!

Great info. Sue !! It's such a daunting process at least for me (I'm sure for everyone !) and I'm so not sure where, when or anything else to start it so!!! You answered some questions though!  And I guess I should start saving my cans BUT don't drink soda anymore so..... Lol

Anyhow great info. Thanks !

Hey, the next meet up we have (that I make it to) I will show everyone my panniculectomy results and give you all my pro's and con's to this semi-wonderful surgery