Plastic Surgery

I have been putting the notion of a tummy tuck on the back burner for some time now. Trying very hard to tighten up everything I can with hard work. But as of now, I am developing a vertical fold on my stomach that is about to breed a rash or something like it. Can anyone give me information about the procedure, is it covered by insurance, any good doctors along the parkway south? Any information would be helpful. Thanks

Natalie, I had a panny 4 years prior to my WLS due to a very large pannus. My insurance didn't pay for it. However, if you are developing a rash, get a doctor to document that and start taking pictures. This will help with the insurance part. I don't know if this is a fact, but from what I have read getting the insurance companies to pay for PS is really difficult. Good luck. Jeanne

Could I ask you about how much your panny was? I also appreciate the advice. Thanks Nat

Hi Natalie, Roberta has given you the best advice. I don't know how much a tummy tuck will be but my panny was $15,000. including an overnight stay at the hospital. Good luck. I hope your insurance will pay for it. Jeanne

Thanks Jeanne for your info. I hope they will pay for it too, sounds like a long hard road but.............. Natalie

Please forgive my ignorance, but can someone send me to a web site to read up on this....what's a panny and how do I know if mine's too big? Thanks in advance.. Lisa

Hi Lisa: I had a panniculectomy in October2003 prior to my WLS. I didn't want to have GB so I opted to have the fat removed from my belly. Also my pannus was pendulous and just annoying. I was fortunate as I didn't get rashes, just uncomfortable and made walking difficult. After I had the surgery, they removed about 50 lbs of skin and mostly fluid, I didn't follow any strict diet or exercise program and gained back the 50 lbs. That is when I decided to have WLS. Normally you have a panny after WLS if you have excess fat in the pannus area. There is a difference in a panny and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in that the tummy tuck tightens the muscles along with removal of excess fat and skin. A panny just removes excess skin and fat. Hope this helps. Jeanne

Jeanne....this helps tremedously. I fully understand now. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me! Lisa

Lisa, You are welcome. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me. Jeanne

hi natalie go to your PCP -- and DOCUMENT everything -- every little rash -- every little everything -- documentation is key -- get your dr to prescrie creams and ointments and whatevers -- when they do not work in a week -- go back to your PCP -- document everything again -- how this or that won't work on the rash -- the PCP will have to get aggravated and send you to a specialist or dermatologist -- they will get aggravated and eventually you will have to have surgery as that is the only answer to your problems -- but document everything -- belly, butt, arms, chest, legs -- every body part -- back -- everything -- this will all make it 'medically necessary' to have plastic surgery -- if it is medically necessary then the insurance company should pay for it good luck roberta