Plastics for bat wings

Starting to realize my arms are going to need some extreme help.  Can those of you who have had this done let me know the out of pocket cost, did anyone's insurance cover.  Are you happy with the results, what was the recovery time?

I'm going in for bat-wing removal this Thursday!  I'm so nervous...    but it really needs to be done, my wings are quite prominent after losing about 150 pounds.

I can't speak to the results or recovery yet (ask again soon...)  but I can tell you the cost.  My surgery will be done in the surgeon's office under general anthesisia (some do it under IV sedation, maybe even local in some cases).  He estimates it will take about 6 hours, I will go home afterwards, no need to spend the night.   I am also  having neck lipo done at the same time.  So the neck lipo plus the de-winging cost just under $10,000.   

Insurance would not cover any of this - no way, no how.   My surgeon isn't especially cheap,  but experienced with the bariatric crowd and he is board certified, etc.  Cost will also largely depend on location.  I'm in the Midwest (US) and I know there are more expensive surgeons on the coasts.   Also the experience and reputation of the surgeon can drive cost to some degree.

I've read on the plastic surgery board that many are happy with a surgeon in Mexico (Dr. Sauceda?? I may not have spelled that right) and his prices are significantly lower than what you'd find in the U.S.   He also appears to have lots of bariatric experience.  So if you are open to travel, and cost is a major consideration, you may want talk to some of his patients here on OH and consider it an option.

I haven't had it.. I'm just almost 3 weeks out from surgery, but I did check my insurance and they do cover it if it is causing problems like rashes and stuff. So, all insurances are different. You just have to check with your insurance and see. 

WOW!  You the only person I have heard of that insurance covered the bat wings.  I've only heard of belly skin causing issues being covered.  Even people that can't walk due to excess leg skin aren't covered.  I want your insurance.

I know it is unusual.  Here is what my insurance plan says:

A. Brachioplasty:

Brachioplasty is considered medically necessary when done in the presence of significant physical functional impairment (for example, redundant or excessive skin is interfering with activities of daily living or causing persistent dermatitis, cellulitis, or skin ulcerations) and impairment persists despite optimal medical management (for example, topical or systemic treatments for infection) and the procedure is reasonably expected to improve that significant physical functional impairment.

I had it done about 5 years ago after reaching my goal weight through WW.  I too had it done with just a local so I got to watch the whole thing.  He did it in his clinic and not in the hospital so I saved a lot.  I think the whole procedure cost me $1800.  I am at a teaching university so our prices are cheaper and I get a discount being an employee.  I was extremely pleased with the results and then gained 90 lbs. just after they healed.  I am stuck again with loose skin but not as bad as before.  I'm more self conscious with the wrinkles just under my bicep and above my elbow, looks really ugly to me.

I have heard of exactly one story of insurance paying for batwings.  They were a chef whose batwings kept getting burned in the course of his job (I cant imagine how MUCH skin that must have been!).

I am going in for mastopexy+brachioplasty next month or April some time.  My cost out of pocket is going to be about 12k.  I am told that the recovery time should be less than what I experienced with my LBL since this is really only a cosmetic procedure and I am doing no muscle repair to the top half.

I had my LBL last October and that turned out being about 20k.  I recovered from that in about 2 weeks physically.  Getting my full strength and endurance back took about a month.  Swelling took about 3 months to come under control.

Bob,

I will see if I can find the video but on YouTube there was a woman who had hers done and the doctor debated going up into the armpit or not, if you have the option, it looked like a good one. With hers you could barely tell she had it done. If I can find it I will send you a message with the link.

k

thanks so much for all the information!!