I have lots of questions!

I really want my arms done before next summer. Anyone have a recommendation for a surgeon in the Phila area? How do you get your insurance company to pay for it? I have BCBS. What is a Panni?

I don't have a recommendation for a Philly physician.  As far as insurance goes, check your policy.  Not all policies cover plastic surgery.  The policy my company has only covers plastics if it's part of reconstructive process for cancer.  Another company using the same provider, may include plastics in their policy for their employees.  So start with looking at your policy.

Then call the insurance company and ask them what they need in terms of documentation.  Once you have all that and you start the consult process, your ps will take care of filing the paperwork, etc.  At least mine filed the paperwork.  Of course it was denied, but he still tried.

A panni short for panniculectomy and it is the procedure used to remove the apron of skin on your belly that hangs.  This procedure is the one that is mostly commonly covered by insurance when it's included in the policy.

I have HMSA which is the Hawaii version of BCBS and they covered my arms after gastric bypass. They also covered Panni and thighs. My PS just took pictures and also I had documentation of rashes on belly. I didn't have any problems with the insurance company and my PS threw in the LBL even though my insurance only covered panni.The only thing I had to pay for was the breast lift.Good luck to you.
Aloha,
Linda

my insurance is good but no way for arms ...as a giving maybe someday in in the future when one has gastric bypass all the xtras skin removal should be a giving...dont ya think

My insurance won't pay for anything but a panni (and my PS will do an extended TT for that price).  No way on arms.  BUT putting them together saved me some money (as my insurance was paying for the overnight in hospital and OR time etc.