Approved for panni and abdominal skin removal!

Hey Diana,
My plastic surgeon just sent in that my weight has been stable for 3 months and that I'm having problems with rashes.  BCBS does require that you wait 18 months after surgery (which will be February for me).  Best of luck!  Hope you get an approval fast!
Marsha 

Thanks for the information Marsha. Hopefully all will go as well fro me as it did for you.

Diana

Congrats that is very exciting.

Way to go. 

Cngrads! I have a question for you. What r the steps you had to take to see if your insurance would approve an panni and a abdominal skin removal. And did ur surgeon refered you to a surgeon or you found one on your own that help u got ur approval through ur insurance company. I have Empire BC/BS.

Hi there!
My gastric bypass surgeon actually referred me to the plastic surgeon.  My insurance does not require a referral though.  I called my insurance prior to my consultation and they said the panni removal was covered as long as it was medically necessary.  My plastic surgeon sent in to my insurance company for the approval.  They sent pictures (yuck!) and information such as me having a problem with rashes and so forth.  They approved it in about 2 weeks but I do have to wait until I'm 18 months out which is February and maintain my weight loss.  Best of luck to you.  Hope you can get an approval soon.  Marsha

HI Marsha,
     It is Justine we chatted earlier this week....Just wanted to let ya know I was APPROVED...It looks as though my surgery will be Nov 16.....I am so EXCITED. I don't know whether to laugh or cry............Again good luck with everything.......................

WooHoo!  Good for you!  Congratulations.  You will have to tell me all the details since I have to wait until February.  I don't know about you, but at first I didn't think I would really care about having the plastic surgery, but the more weight I lost, the more I wanted to have it done.  It's like the whole process is not complete until that extra skin gets removed.  I am so excited for you.  Best of luck for an easy surgery and a super speedy recovery.  Take care and let me know how it goes.  Marsha  

Thanks, Marsha
          I always said I would never look into plastics but as you said the more weight I lost the more I thought about it. I could use alot more work but can't afford it so I knew I had a shot at having the panni removed and covered so I went for it because I said if I did not look into it I would always wonder. I really did not expect to be approved. I am soooooo excited. We will have to keep in touch...Take Care, Justine

My surgeon referred me to my plastic surgeon  who takes insurance  I have BC&Bs of Massachusetts  he took pics and within the week I was approved for the panni remov al.. I am paying 3500 out of pocket since he does the anchor tt  Hurry up November 18th !!!
Natalie

Such an exciting time for us all..