How do I go around plastic Surgery after finding out they need more information.

I have not been on in a while. My name is Jessica and I had Roux-N-Y done on May 2, 2002. On November 12, 2002 I had an insicional Hernia. Which made my stomach uneven. I had very bad infections at one time that left my skin scared. I have very bad stretch marks. I was 264, now i weigh 130. I am 28 years old and I look like I had a few children in my time. But, guess what I have no children. Their comes I time in your life were you think you will be able someday to wear that bikini or buy and wear a short skirt or mini skirt in that matter. I guess not someone stops you cold. I feel that plastic surgery is a big money maker. I just want to be able to wear something that does not show my legs jiggle when I walk. Instead I can't and I cry. I feel I came to that time in my life that i thought that pain will go away but guess what it is still their. Now I am at that point that I need to get rid of the skin. So I have been doing research. I just received a letter from GHI saying that they need more information and Pictures. More the pictures and for proof. So am asking what should I do. I live in Staten Island New York, I don't mind to travel. My last resort is to apply for extreme make overs but like I'm really going to get on that show. Please someone Help me.

Hi Jessica - Although I can't speak from direct experience, since my surgery date is actually *tomorrow* (say a prayer for me please), I've been doing a lot of research on the plastic surgery issues. Here's what I have learned: 1. The insurance companies are far less likely to pay for the surgery if they believe you are doing it only to improve your appearance. They want you to show that the loose skin, etc., is actually endangering your health. That's why they want pictures. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: convince them that the surgery is necessary because you have rashes from the skin, or back pain from carrying the skin, or other *medical* problems. Let the pictures support your arguments. 2. If you still have a hernia, then correcting that problem *is* a medical issue and they will cover it. That gives you an opportunity to combine a plastic surgery procedure with the hernia correction. Why do that? Because the costs of the hospital stay, the anaesthesiologist, etc., will all be covered, and you'll only have to pay for the plastic surgeon's fees, and maybe not even that. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: find a good plastic surgeon, mention the hernia and formulate a strategy to approach the insurance company. Give them what they need to be able to say yes. I hope this helps. Hang in there, you'll get where you want to go if only you persist.