I have a big decision to make

Has anybody here had just a panni, no TT or anything else, just straight panniculectomy? What kind of results did you have? Do you wish you'd  pursued more aggressive body contouring?

I'm three years post lap-band and have been hovering between the goal my surgeon set for me of 135 lbs. and my own personal goal of 130 lbs. for a little over six months. I do weights three times a week and cardio at least three times a week, wear a size 6 (down from a 22/24), and was actually starting to feel pretty good about myself until I started consulting with plastic surgeons. Is there anything more humiliating than standing buck naked in an exam rooom while your loose skin is pulled and prodded like a big ol' lump of Play-Doh?

Anyhow, I have insurance approval for a panniculectomy. However, my PS doesn't think it will effect enough of a change in the skin above my belly button to satisfy me. Really, all I want at this point is to be able to forego the Spanx. Summer will be here again before you know it, and the hotter it gets, the more miserable it becomes having to wrestle with those things. He recommends a LBL, which will cost almost $8,000 above what insurance will pay, and that's a boatload of money. I know I'm worth it and all that, but there's so much more that money could be spent on, including helping one of our grandchildren, who has cerebral palsy, with the hyperbaric therapy her neuro has recommended.

I really appreciate the input of those of you who've been there, done that, or are getting ready to go there.

I don't really have the answer you are looking for because my insurance company paid for me to have a full tummy tuck.  But I have some advice.  Only you can decide this for yourself because only you know what you are comfortable with and only you will have to live with your decision.  I admire that you think that money would be better used for your grandchildren.  You just have to make a decision,  then make it the right one.  I know for me there are surgeries that I wish I could have, like a BA, but as a mother of three I feel my money (what little I have) is better spent on my kids.  Good luck with your decision and I hope someone comes along with some better advice for you.

Laura

I had a TT which was fully self pay.  It cost 7110.  A LBL includes thhe bum so I would JUMP at the chance to do that for 8K.  Another woman I know had a consult with my surgeon for LBL and it was over 20K (this includes hospital and ansthesia fees)

It is your choice but even if you did not opt for a LBL and chose a full tummy tuck which should be MUCH cheaper with ins paying a portion I think you would be happier than with just a panni.

You are going to go through the whole thing of surgery and pain you may as well be thrilled instead of just satisfied... I would ask the difference between a full tummy tuck vs a panni.  You should get all your options out on the table!

I agree with Johanna.  Ask your surgeon what the price would be for a full extended Tummy Tuck with mons lift included.  Make sure he will include the mons lift.  That's a big deal.  Some panni's do not include that part. 

I had a tummy tuck rather than a panni and I am pleased, even thought I will be going back for an Anchor Cut TT and LBL.  I have a lot of excess skin due to losing more weight.  I got my initial TT due to chronic back pain after losing over 200lbs.

I understand about wanting to not spend the money on yourself, but if the doctor can give you a lower quote for something that is between the LBL and the Panni, that might be a better deal for you.

Good luck, you're a good grandma!

I appreciate the feedback; y'all have given me food for thought and also provided a different perspective on the price. I've left a message with the PS's nurse requesting that she ask him about the results a TT could provide and a quote.

Now, on my insurance company's website, it does say a TT can be a covered procedure; however, it doesn't mention what cir****tances would merit approval. That's also something to look into.

Do you have any hernias that need repaired at the same time? That could bring down the cost, slightly of a more extended approach then just panni.

Panni wouldn't have done much for me. I had lost almost 200 pounds but I didn't have much hang in my panni , however I kept having problems with infections in my BB and I had a very large umbilical hernia that needed repair at the same time. My priorities were different - I wanted the hernia repair tied into a tummy tuck without additional scars and I needed the excess skin above the BB to be removed - so I opted for a LBL which also fixed some back end hang as well. What are your problems - both vanity and health issues? How does just removal of the excess skin hanging below the BB address that? Consider also your age and health and the amount of down time you are will to endure. This is a hard decision because you only want to go through this once and not be sorry. Look on the internet for pictures and be certain to visit at least 3 plastic surgeons for their opinions as you'll find they may differ.

I spoke with my insurance company and was told that since I already have approval for the panniculectomy, then all the surgeon's office has to do is call them and request a change, which would be the addition of the ICD-9 code for an abdominoplasty. I've got the information pages printed out in case the surgeon's office needs me to fax them over. Hopefully his assistant will be able to call me back this afternoon. Let's just cross our fingers that it really is as easy as the CSR made it sound.

I do wish you well!  If the insurance company will pay for the full TT you are in great shape.  if you opt for a lbl too, it will be much cheaper.  With the new info in hand be sure to go to a few consults.  Let us know what you find out from the present surgeon.  Loris