TUMMY TUCK

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE HAVE HAD ANY RECONSTRUTIVE SURGERY THAT MEDICARE HAVE PAID FOR. I HAVE SEEN TWO DRS. BUT THEY WANT THE MONEY UPFRONT AND FOR ME TO FILE FOR REIMBURSTMENT. I AM TRYING TO GET A TUMMY TUCK TO GET RID OF ALL THE SKIN. IF ANYONE HAVE ANY INFO PLEASE REPLY WITH THE DR. NAME AND ANY IMPORTANT INFO.

Sharon, I haven't had my surgery yet (awaiting insurance approval) but I have been in the chat room several times and haven't seen anyone who has gotten insurance to cover the plastic surgery. If you find anyone who has gotten coverage - Medicare or otherwise - please let us know. How much weight did you lose? I looked at your profile, but it doesn't say.

Hello. On June 6th of this year I had an incisional hernia repair along with a panniculectomy. She performed some additional muscle tightening etc. Dr. Michelle Shermak Took some photo's of the hernia and sent a letter to my INS co, United Healthcare POS. She is very experienced at writing these persuasive letters. The fact that I needed an incisional hernia repair assisted in the INS giving the approval I'm sure. But I also believe that Dr. Shermak persuasive letter of the medical necessity of having this cosmetic procedure done was a major point in getting approval I firmly believe. My Family Dr. also submitted a letter describing the symptoms that I have experience over the years was included. But in the end, and I could be way off base here, it was her letter that convinced United Healthcare to foot the bill. Dr. Shermak is board certified in contouring Cosmetic surgery and does most if not all of Johns Hopkins Bay View hernia repairs for Dr. Michael Schweitzer when done in conjunction with a panniculectomy procedure. She has a magnificent bedside manner along with an exceptional track record. My original scar from the "open DS/BPD was quite large. When she was finished I was shocked to say the least. The umbilicus was retained and scarring will be barely visible upon completion of healing. I have high marks for the men and women in ICU, but the service does drop off some what "upstairs" where the patient to nurse ratio increases from 1 on 1 or 1 on 2 at the most in ICU to around 1 nurse for 6 to 8 patients in the general recovery area. I imagine that might be standard, but the gals with the exception of the standard one that always shows up to give the other hardworking nurses a bad name. But I have learned that you do get more with sugar than vinegar and patience is truly a virtue. Good luck and best wishes. Sam