Insurance and plastic surgery
Insurance did not cover any of mine. Basically, DH sat down and put together a financial plan to make it happen. We both felt that in terms of good debt versus bad debt, this is more of a good debt situation (we have no other debt). Because of much of my job depends on confidence and professional image, this would futher help my career.
You may not like standing naked in front of a physician, but do not think of the consult as humiliating. The physician is there to help you and guide your decision making process. In no way, shape or form are they going to say anything to make you feel bad about yourself. If they do, that makes your decision easier... you don't use them.
The physician will speak to you based on statements of fact regarding what they can do and would recommend. It will really be okay.
Good luck.
You may not like standing naked in front of a physician, but do not think of the consult as humiliating. The physician is there to help you and guide your decision making process. In no way, shape or form are they going to say anything to make you feel bad about yourself. If they do, that makes your decision easier... you don't use them.
The physician will speak to you based on statements of fact regarding what they can do and would recommend. It will really be okay.
Good luck.
RNY: 10/11/2001 PS: May 28, 2010: Circumferential body lift with gluteal augmentation and brachioplasty & thoracoplasty June 25, 2010: Bilateral breast augmentation with mastopexy and medial thigh lift
You need to contact your insurance provider and find out what they will cover, ahead of time. Call them and tell them you have bariatric surgery and are interested in reconstructive surgery. Tell them you want to know what is covered and and ask what you need from your doctor to submit for coverage. Do not be nervous--you are their customer!
I found out exactly what my insurance company needed and set about getting that material for them. I needed a weight history (to show my weight was stable for a long time), documentation of any skin issues (photos, doctors' notes) and remedies we tried.
They covered my TT but not my arms, which is great because the TT was the most expensive one. I self-paid for the arms, tapping our savings.
The evaluation should NOT be humiliating, if you have selected a professional. If he/she makes you feel strange, get out of there--they're not the doc for you. An evaluation should mark the beginning of a collaboration. You tell him what you're hoping to accomplish, he tells you what is possible to accomplish. Don't be scared.
Good luck!
Nicolle
I found out exactly what my insurance company needed and set about getting that material for them. I needed a weight history (to show my weight was stable for a long time), documentation of any skin issues (photos, doctors' notes) and remedies we tried.
They covered my TT but not my arms, which is great because the TT was the most expensive one. I self-paid for the arms, tapping our savings.
The evaluation should NOT be humiliating, if you have selected a professional. If he/she makes you feel strange, get out of there--they're not the doc for you. An evaluation should mark the beginning of a collaboration. You tell him what you're hoping to accomplish, he tells you what is possible to accomplish. Don't be scared.
Good luck!
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Dr. Lomonaco has written a couple of articles on getting insurance coverage. You might want to take a look at them. He has them posted on his website. They are under the patient resources tab. http://www.drlomonaco.com/index.shtml
(deactivated member)
on 6/28/10 11:43 pm
on 6/28/10 11:43 pm
Andrea, I just had my first consult last week - while it was uncomfortable having the plastic surgeon (PS) move my loose skin around and take nude pictures, it wasn't humiliating. He was very professional about it. You're not the first patient and won't be the last with hanging skin issues - be proud that you shed the excess weight.
The PS found a hernia which will help cover some of my expenses, the rest we will self pay. They did include some literature and suggestions of how to pay in the packet I was given - credit cards, medical loan companies and setting up a special savings account were mentioned.
The PS found a hernia which will help cover some of my expenses, the rest we will self pay. They did include some literature and suggestions of how to pay in the packet I was given - credit cards, medical loan companies and setting up a special savings account were mentioned.
Mine is going to be covered. I went for consultation on June 1, and on June 21 I received approval! My insurance is Medcost. I was shocked to find out that I was approved.
They did require a few things. There had to be a 100-pound weight loss, the panniculus had to hang over my pubic area, and any documentation of "skin issues" I could supply. My RNY was in 2007 and I have followed up regularly with both my bariatric surgeon and my primary care physician and had each of them document skin issues each time I went. The plastic surgeon submitted my documentation from those docs to the insurance company and they never asked any questions.
My surgery is coming up on July 12!
I was a bit "embarassed" to have the pics taken only because I am an operating room nurse and I see this particular plastic surgeon in the operating room sometimes and work with him there. He was very professional, however, and made me feel as comfortable as possible.
They did require a few things. There had to be a 100-pound weight loss, the panniculus had to hang over my pubic area, and any documentation of "skin issues" I could supply. My RNY was in 2007 and I have followed up regularly with both my bariatric surgeon and my primary care physician and had each of them document skin issues each time I went. The plastic surgeon submitted my documentation from those docs to the insurance company and they never asked any questions.
My surgery is coming up on July 12!
I was a bit "embarassed" to have the pics taken only because I am an operating room nurse and I see this particular plastic surgeon in the operating room sometimes and work with him there. He was very professional, however, and made me feel as comfortable as possible.
DenaSee my YouTube vlogs here: http://www.youtube.com/user/LiLtinee
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Starting weight: 297 / Goal weight: 140's / Current weight: 138-143
Lap RNY 3/12/2007 ~ Fleur-de-Lis tummy tuck 7/12/2010
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