I need help - Pani

I am about 18 months post op with my lab band.  I weight about 175-180 depending on my fluctation.  I just had a baby in June so I need to get back into "it" a bit more.  This is the lowest weight I have been in years.  My highest weight is 308 after having my son.   I have a huge pannus and liddled belly button and I have chronic yeast infections under my pannus.

I talked with my doc about getting the pani and a public lift to help with the yeast infctions.  they are AWFUL.   I go to the PS on 8/26 -  but now I am second guessing if I have lost enough weight.  I feel happy at this weight. I don't feel deprived -  but I think I look good and If I could just get this flap removed I would be happy.

I don't know  now I am freaking a bit.  Logistically -  I need to have the surgery soon to assist with the infections and because I have ins that will cover it if I can prove medica necessity.  I am considering a job switch in a year or so  so I don't want to get stuck with ins that won't cover it period

Any insight from the experienced?

I too am 18 months from my sleeve...I underwent a breast lift in April, and about three and a half weeks ago had Tummy Tuck with muscle tightening, lipo, breast implants with lipo of "side boob." My surgeon told me as long as I keep my weight around 15-20lbs of where I'm at it will not affect my tummy tuck. So if I loose a little or gain alittle the tuck will still remain nice and tight. As long as you are at a weight your comfortable with and feel good at I say go for it. My surgeon also said I needed to be done having children because that would ruin the TT. In less I wanted to pay for another one after another child. Thankfully for me, I have two beautiful babies and we are done. 

I had the panni done as well, I had over 10lbs of skin removed and it feels AMAZING. Even three weeks out and super swollen I already have so much more confidence. If your happy where your at and are maintaining your current weight (they usually say for six months) than I think its a good time for you. I had alot of infections, rashes, and odor from the hanging skin so to have it gone is so worth it. You'll have to let me know how your consult goes. Best of luck!

I still have about 40 pounds to loose and I just had a severe ventral hernia repair, abd wall repair with panniculectomy/anchor cut TT. 

Doc says the skin weighted just under 15 pounds WOW .   If I were you make sure all your ducks are in a row, get PCP recorded problems with pannis, see at least 2 PS/general surgeons to get more pics and opinion of medical necessity.  Write a letter of how the pannis is affecting your life in all the negative points for the insurance company which you will give to the PS of choice that is willing to submit your paper work for pre-authorization.  (this is what I did).

I know its hard but let yourself break out so they can get good pics.  Make sure they know that you are thinking about a job change and might loose your insurance and push to do this asap.  Being 18 months out is pretty much the average of were they want you to be.  Just make sure that wt stays stable. 

I hope this helps you a little.

Carla

kristy, I think this is a personal decision. I am also a lapbander and I will be having my Circumferential lift and brachio in nivember. I am 219 and my plans are to get out of the 2's before than. it may or may not happen. I am really happt with how I look minus the skin but mostly I am realistic. Could I get lower... yes.but it would be with crash diets and I plans that I could never maintain. I came from a high of 405 and that had a lot to do with my attitude as well. Bottom line is, I LIKE ME!!!

And if you're self pay like I am than you get to make that decision!!

Kristie, I think that if there is a possibility that in a year you won't have ins. that will cover it... well, that's huge.

-Jenny

Thanks for your input!   I really appreciate it.  I plan on taking a copy of my perscription records, pictures I have taken myself, as well as medical records and a letter from my pcp to document my issues.  I am really hoping that this will be sufficient.  I know ins doesn't like to cover it -  but I am hoping they will!!

My highest was 294lbs. I was 180 on my home scale and 185 on my doctor's scale before plastics and was 16 mo out from my RNY.  Everything else on my body was small except for my upper belly, pannus and a little bit on my hips from the pannus.  I thought I would need to be more near my goal of 150 but I had stopped losing basically since Jan as far as pounds.  I exercise all the time and was losing inches only.  The plastic surgeon said I was ready. I had a breast lift, saline implants, lipo to the sides of my breasts, fleur de lis TT (upper and lower TT), and lipo to my outer thighs/hips.  Insurance covered $4500 for panni removal. Surgeon fees for the rest $10,400 but he gave me a 20% discount for being a nurse and that ended up being $8400.  I paid $3100 for the facility fee for a 3 1/2 hr surgery outpatient with anesthesia.  I used Care Credit a health care credit card to finance the surgeon's fees.  I used a regular credit card for the rest.   I think I got a good deal.  I wanted everything done at once so I didn't need multiple times off, exposure to more anesthesia etc, and it's more expensive if you pay multiple facility bills.   Just something to think about.