Skin Removal Surgery

I'm sure this has been asked before.  But I am starting to seriously think about skin removal surgery.  Any information from anyone that went through it, has researched it or any pros/cons would be greatly appreciated.  Maybe names of very good doctors?  I am in the Phoenix AZ area.

I am a little over 2 years out from my BPD-DS and have lost 147 pounds since then (187 from my highest weight).  I feel like i'm at a good weight now, but I have a lot of excess skin on my arms, legs and especially my stomach.  I have no boobs or butt left :( and still need to work on my legs, but it seems like I lose weight everywhere but my legs! Argh!

I do have a amibical hernia which I am going to see a surgeon about.  I was wondering if anyone had a hernia repaired and skin removal at the same time?  Would insurance cover if both done?

Thanks for any information you can provide.

I would have paid $6k if I wanted a tummy tuck with my hernia repair.  Insurance hand no interest in paying.

I don't know of any doctors near you - I live in the Midwest.

I did have skin removal surgery on my thighs and legs last year, because it was deemed medically necessary. 

That is the key to having skin removal not being classified as cosmetic surgery.  There has to be a medical reason, like infections, for instance, to justify the surgery to remove the skin. 

Also, it must also be a simple excision, not going in and surgically tightening muscles, unless your surgeon can argue that there is a medical reason why the surgery must include muscle tightening. 

Since you have an abdominal hernia, I'm guessing that muscle tightening and repair of the abdominal wall will be part of your surgery, and will probably be medically necessary.

Jazzy...what kind of scars do you have on your thighs? I'd like to have my thighs done one day. They're gross!

I have two long scars on each leg, from near the crotch spiraling from there to the back.  My inner thigh skin was darker than my outer thigh skin, so I have two dark skin "triangles" at the top of my inner thighs that would be visible in a bathing suit from tthe front, and straightish scars down the back of both thighs.

I have dark , approximately 6 inch scars on each inner knee, where skin and fat was removed from there.

The long scars have lightened  and flattened a little on their own, the knee scars are thinnish, but a bit more raised.

I will likely seek my dermatologists help in getting them completely flat with cortisone injections, the same as I did for my abdominal scar for the DS.