Tummy tuck-insurance coverage

elliebean78
on 10/16/16 1:27 pm - Phoenix, AZ
VSG on 02/19/15

Hi everyone. 

 

Im about 18 months out and have lost about 110 and I have stayed pretty much at steady weight  for a while.

 

For the past couple of weeks,  I've been having issues with my belly button. It's extremely deep and my skin hangs over. Ive been experiencing frequent infections. Very painful,  red,  itchy,  stinky,  the works. Im able to put athletes foot cream in there (anti-fungal stuff) and it usually clears up within a few days. 

 

Has anyone had experience getting surgery to remove excess skin for this issue? I'm not looking for a completely flat tummy. My husband is the only one to see,  and he doesn't care. Lol. Just mainly to stop this obnoxious issue. 

 

Thanks!

jenorama
on 10/16/16 1:47 pm - CA
RNY on 10/07/13

If you're interested in getting insurance to cover skin surgery, work with your PCP to document the incidents and treatments.  I don't know how much or how long you'll have to document the issues, but it's definitely the place to start.  I know one lady in my support group that got a brow lift paid for by insurance because skin had started to droop over her eyes which is regarded as a hazard to vision.  

Good luck!

Jen

Gwen M.
on 10/16/16 1:53 pm
VSG on 03/13/14

Definitely get to your PCP or dermatologist and get this documented.  Then talk to your insurance company and see what they say!

I have a similar belly button thing going on.  It comes and goes, but is annoying :P

VSG with Dr. Salameh - 3/13/2014
Diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder and started Vyvanse - 7/22/2016
Reconstructive Surgeries with Dr. Michaels - 6/5/2017 (LBL & brachioplasty), 8/14/2017 (UBL & mastopexy), 11/6/2017 (medial leg lift)

Age 42 Height 5'4" HW 319 (1/3/2014) SW 293 (3/13/2014) CW 149 (7/16/2017)
Next Goal 145 - normal BMI | Total Weight Lost 170

TrendWeight | Food Blog (sort of functional) | Journal (down for maintenance)

Beam me up Scottie
on 10/16/16 2:06 pm
I had a LBL paid for by my insurance company, and a upper body lift (it's was more like a mobile removal...but my doctor extended the scar under my arm to get all the excess skin).....I had a good dermatologist that was willing to see me every month to go over my skin issues, and submit a letter to my insurance company regarding the need for the surgery.

It was approved without any issues. They denied my though lift and arm lift though.....so sadly it does not work in every case...but I got about 30k+ worth of plastics for a very small copay....and because insurance paid for it, I had the surgery in a hospital with a 2 night hospital stay....they reimbursed me for a lift chair retail and sent in a CNA to help with recovery and a PT to work me out. I know those sound like "minor things" but those minor things made my recovery SO much easier.

Scott
Sharon SW-267
GW-165 CW-167 S.

on 10/16/16 6:24 pm - PA
RNY on 12/22/14

You had great insurance. 

Sharon

Beam me up Scottie
on 10/16/16 8:16 pm
True. But I think that if you can make a case for it, most insurances will pay for some of it.
Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 10/17/16 8:35 am
RNY on 08/05/19

I think "most" is a stretch, given the number of stories here I've read about policy exclusions and/or denials. But that's just anecdotal.

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

Laura in Texas
on 10/23/16 2:20 pm

I agree. I have been a part of the bariatric community for 9 years now and those that get insurance coverage for skin removal seem to be the exception and definitely not the rule.

Laura in Texas

53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)

RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis

brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco

"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."

Sharon SW-267
GW-165 CW-167 S.

on 10/22/16 7:22 am - PA
RNY on 12/22/14

When did you get yours done?

Sharon

Beam me up Scottie
on 10/22/16 10:08 am
2008
×