loose skin
Usually, the only skin removal covered by insurance is a panniculectomy (which is removal of the excess skin below the belly button IF it causes rashes or other issues (and, depending on insurance requirements, hangs down a certain amount). It doesn't cover any muscle tightening, and doesn't cover any excess skin above the waist.
People often pay additional money out of their own pocket to have the extra skin above the waist removed at the same time as a panniculectomy is done.
Insurance almost never covers removal of excess skin on the arms, thighs, butt, or back. As far as how people pay for it, well... A few are lucky enough to have bank accounts that allow them to just write a check or hand over a credit card; some start saving a little bit on a regular basis right away after their WLS; some take out medical loans from places like CareCredit; a few borrow against their retirement accounts or from family members; some simply don't have the skin removal because they just cannot find a way to afford it.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
From what I read on here, your insurance companies are like our (British) Health Service. Skin will only be removed in cases of medical necessity.
Document and photo any rashes/infections etc in foods of skin. May help!
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
My insurance covers belly button down, if there are problems (rashes, hanging that disrupts daily routine). I have made some investments. So if the skin is bad, I will use that $ to pay for it. If I can live with it, then I'll just have some extra money down the road. I'm only 11 weeks out and 37 years old, so I have a few more years to save up.
