abdominalplasty approved

Hi all.  I'm new here to the plastic surgery board.  I just received news yesterday that my insurance has approved abdominalplasty for me.  Surgery is scheduled for 12/27.  My bariatric surgeon is performing my abdominalplasty.  Anyone else have their bariatric surgeon do their tummy tuck?  He is an amazing surgeon who I completely trust.  I'm really nervous and I actually didn't think I would get approved so this is all a wonderful surprise to me.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Laura

Congratulations on your insurance approval. You are one of the lucky ones!

My bariatric surgeon was also a general surgeon but he wasn't the one I wanted doing my plastic surgery and he assured me that he wasn't the one I wanted either when it came to plastics. Everyone has a different comfort level as to who their surgeon is. I personally wanted a board certified plastic surgeon who was very well experienced in post weight loss patients. My plastic surgeon was very much about the asthetic look of his procedures. I can't place any judgement on your surgeon because I have no knowledge of his skills. If you feel comfortable then that's what matters. I would ask to see a lot of before and after pictures of his work and I would ask how many tummy tucks he has done. That's just me.

I wish you the best of luck!

My thoughts are similar. I need a hernia repair and abdominal reconstruction. I wanted a tummy tuck along with the hernia repair so I went to a Board certified plastic and reconstruction specialist. I was thinking of going to my Bariatric surgeon to have this done. I have a ton of scar tissue from previous surgeries. That is the only reason I wanted to go to my bariatric surgeon was because he knows my insides better than anyone else. I called to see my bariatric surgeon and got shipped to his associate. I have decided to go with the reconstuction specialist because even though he has'nt done surgery on my before he was straight up with me and sent me to have an evaluation with a intestinal surgeon.Those 2 doctors together will perform the surgery and reconstruct my abdomen as best as possible considering my previous history. I figured " If I am going to have surgery with a stranger it might as well be a specialist in the field that I need . Does that make ense to anyone besides me and my friends?

It makes perfect sense to me! Best of luck to you!

Congratulations. I'm surprised your bariatric surgeon is doing it - many years ago when I first started to look into WLS, some bariatric surgeons were doing panniculectomies/tummy tucks etc. but then they got so busy doing bariatric surgeons that most don't have time. I haven't seen anyone post that their bariatric surgeon will do the surgery in quite some time.

I don't want to be a Negative Nelly, but abdominalplasty and tummy tuck can mean different things to different surgeons - so make certain to ask your surgeon (whether it's a bariatric or plastic surgeon) exactly what is being done so your know what to expect about where the scar will be located, what will happen to your belly button, will excess skin and fat be removed above the belly button and what kind of muscle tightening will occur. Also discuss how the wound will be closed - I had a LBL/hernia repair and arm lift - internally I have sutures but the exterior wound was glued shut. Does your bariatric surgeon do that too?

Everyone is nervous before hand - that's normal, but you'll do well. Best wishes for a safe surgery and easy, quick recovery.

I appreciate your advice!  I will look into things a bit more.  I want the best possible outcome for sure.

Laura

You will be just fine, my friend! I do think you should do a little bit more investigating on your particular surgeon to see how many of these he has done before, and if people were happy with the results. I know he's a great surgeon... but it won't hurt to do a little more research just to be sure you're going to get the best possible result!

Thanks Les! 

Hi Laura,

Wow what a great christmas present for you..they only approved my Panni which took off 6 pounds of flesh Gross...but now I have a muffin top because of my upper tummy not being closed tight they wouldn't pay for that so in the future i'm going to need a corsett surgery to get the flat look i want ..so my advice to you is find out what they are doing cause most Ins. wont pay for a full TT just a panni removal which does not do the belly button up..Best Wishes..to you . Despinasdream

I'm having a hernia repair and Corset TT also.  My bariatric surgeon is doing it and I'm completely pleased with that.  I've seen his before and` after pics and although he's warned me, I will be really uncomfortable the week or so afterwards, that I will appreciate the final product.  I wish you well and I'm excited also..My surgery is Monday, Dec 6th  and I was shocked it was all approved so quickly, a little less than 2 weeks. Initially it was denied, then my doctor did a peer to peer with Cigna and it was approved and all this happened in that two week period. So it's meant to be!  Take care and be blessed.