flabby chest

this is way way jumping the gun but I'm just curious. I know without a doubt I'm gonna have to have plastics on my chest some day. Anyone have any input on this, cost, how it went, insights to reduce flabby skin on the chest for us "biggones"

Thanks

 

FF,

The super, super cheap method is just a few bucks for a roll of duct tape at one of the box stores!  

Since so few men here on OH get the that point I'd suggest Googling PS and look at some of the doctor's websites and go that route to find out.  For what it is worth what I've seen on Discovery is that they will do some lipo to remove the fat and any breast tissue that may be there.  After that it is more or less a breast lift similar to what is done for the ladies.

What do you mean "few men here on OH get to that point"?

I was referring to having plastics done.  Can think of maybe 4 or 5 that have.  On the Plastics board rarely do any men post any thing.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/plasticsurgery/a,messagebo ard/board_id,4861/

I have considered a lower body lift at some point in time but it is not a priority. 

It's true that men are less apt to get PS.  With any luck I will get my pannus removed this year along with a hernia repair.  I will certainly keep everyone updated if I do.

I had a breast reduction along with a lower body lift about 1 1/2 years ago. It was defintely worth it. The cost was about 10k (for that part alone)..my insurance paid for both the lbl and the breast reduction. Keep records of all rashes.

Scott

After losing 260+ lbs, plastics was a given for me.  I just had phase 1 of my reconstruction done.  Panniculectomy with abdominoplasty and vertical excision.   Totally worth it despite the pain (this is a painful procedure, don't let anyone tell you it isn't).  The procedure was insurance paid so I don't know what the cost would have been out pf pocket.  I can tell you that the insurance was billed a total of 44K for the hospital, pathology, surgoeon's fees, and anethesia.  They paid it all with the exception of my copay amount.  They took off about 15 lbs of skin in the process.  The surgeon told me that in some sections of the skin that was removed, he measured it at 20+ inches in width. Its pretty cool to be able to look down and see my little buddy.  Like reuniting with a long lost friend.

Phase 2 (gynecomastia reconstuction / chess tightening) will be in February.  This is self pay for the moment but I am still fighting the insurance company for some level of coverage.  The surgeons fee is $3500 and the anethesia / surgeon OR fee is $2100.  Thats pretty much it.  Its going to be done in the surgeons OR instead of the hospital (huge savings on this).  Then 7-10 days recovery.  The dr. expects to remove another 4-5 lbs of skin on the chess.  I will lose the sensitivity in the nipples because with male mastectomies, they just regraph the nipple to the skin (saves a lot of money doing it this way and it eliminates the vertical scar from the nipple to the breast line.  Can't wait.

Its amazing how these procedures change your whole image.  No regrets and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.  The dr. also outlined future phases of work if I want to get it done.  Phase 3 would be an arm lift (approximately 6K).  Phase 4 would be a leg/thigh lift and pubic area lift (6-8K).  Phase 5 would be a partial LBL to lift the butt (8K). 

Right now I don't plan to do anything other than the chess.  I am hoping hard work in the gym will help with the rest.  Of course, If I hit the lottery, I am going in for the complete workover.  :-)

Hope this information helps...

~Dalton

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High weight:  463 lbs
Surgery weight:  433 lbs
Pre plastics weight:  211 lbs
Post plastics / current weight:  195 lbs

Thanks for the great info! BTW, what insurance do you have? was it hard to get them to pay for it?

Thanks

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield NC.  They cover the abdominal work as part of my plan for WLS but you have to be 18 months postop, and have at least 2 underlying medical conditions as a result of the excessive pannis.  For me, I have skin rashes that required oral antibiotics and it was also causing severe back pain.  Once I met the criteria, it was a piece of cake.  As for the breast reduction, they claim to cover gynecomastia but the hoops you have to jump through are excessive.  The last hurdle I have is to prove that there is some degree of breast tissue in the chest, not just fatty deposits from being overweight.  Once the procedure is complete, I will have the doctor document if there was breast tissue.  If there is, then I should be able to get some level of reimbursement.  That will be about it for insurance covering plastics.  Everything else I have done down the line will be totally self pay.  Good luck with your journey.  The best advice I can give you is to document every medical condition you have.  It will help you in getting approvals down the road.

Dalton