Plastic Surgeon

Hi all. I am about 2 1/2 years post RNY and really interested in getting some of this skin taken care of now. I just don't know where to start. I am a teacher with state employees' BCBS insurance and I am not sure what if anything they will cover. Should I just start with a consultation with a plastic surgeon or what? Any suggestions on plastic surgeons? If you can just help me get started, I would be really appreciative. Thanks! Holly

Holly - Check this link out for BCBSNC, I have BCBS Federal but wherever you are you are administered by the state or area BCBS. They will pay for a tummy tuck within certain limitations but the rest, unless it is causing serious medical problems (i.e.- recurrent infections requiring antibiotics and such) they won't pay for anything else. This link is for their policy on plastic surgery, it is fairly lengthy but I've printed it out for my hubby. He is 18mos post op and is curious about his belly skin. You have to be at a stable weight for 18mos before they will consider surgery. https://www.bcbsnc.com/services/medical-policy/pdf/cosmetic_and_reconstructive_surgery.pdf Hope this helps! Beth

Beth, thank you so much! That is very helpful! :-) Now I just need to find a surgeon. Well, actually I have decided to try to lose more weight first, but I would like to find a surgeon and have a consult. Thank you for your help and best of luck to you and your hubby! Holly

Holly- You are more than welcome! It is difficult enough getting through the sea of paperwork that they put you through. Can't say that I blame you on the extra weight. I would want to be as thin as possible before I have it done. We both appreciate the good wishes and I'll be on the boards. Beth

Holly My only word of advice to you is call the plastic surgeons office first and ask if they accept insurance. Many of them do not. I was shocked. Here in Charlotte where plastic surgeons abound I was very limited in my choices of who would even try to submit insurance. Luckily I found Dr. Stanley Get and he submitted everything and was approved for abdominal hernia repair and an anchor cut panniculectomy. Larry

Thank you, Larry! I had not even thought of that. Holly