Self Pay TT

Maybe not many insurance companies cover a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).....for sure mine won't.

I had my gastric bypass 4 years ago and lost 100 lbs and have kept it off.  That being said, I do think I have one thing left to do - get rid of the hideous flab/skin around my waist.

So I went to a consult yesterday - love love love the surgeon!  I don't have a cost yet, but the one thing that concerns me is what if you have complications after the procedure? 

Then you have to self pay some more - that could get crazy expensive!  Any one have experience with that?

I am a worry wart, I will tell you that. 

My insurance will not pay for my abdominoplasty. However, I have been told that as long as the surgery is performed in theUS, I would have coverage for any complications that may arise from the surgery. I am sure that not all insurance companies will cover this, but mine does. I am having my TT on 10/11/11 and I am so excited! Congratulations on your weight loss and for keeping it off!!

Here is my breakdown.

Circumferential Lift and Brachioplasty
10,021,00 this does not cover pre op bloodwork and xrays

breast lift/Saline Implants & Bilateral Thighplasty
12,758,00 Both of these include one nights hospital stay.

I live in Indiana.

I am paying 7k for my tt. That price includes all of my medications, my compression garments and labs.

My fleur de lis TT is gonna be $9,000.
I am spending an additional $1,050 to hire a private nurse to come spend the first two nights at home with me, since my surgeon doesn't include a hospital stay, and I want to be super safe about the first couple days, to help *prevent* complications.

It's smart of you to be thinking about that potential hidden cost. You should definitely ask your plastic surgeon about their policy on revisions and seroma drainage. Mine, for instance, will charge a $100 office fee for doing minor revisions under local anaesthetic. If a more major revision is needed, he was kind of vague, he said "Well if it's something that's obviously due to my technical skill or something I could have done better, I'll take care of it. If it's due to an unforseeable complication, there will be cost associated." If you develop a seroma (pocket of fluid) that needs to be drained in the office, most docs will do at least the first procedure for free. Mine does, and after that it's $85 a pop.

I'm not sure about insurance coverage in terms of complications. I mean, if I were to develop a blood clot in my leg, and needed to go to the hospital, I just assume my regular health insurance would kick in and pay. Maybe I'm wrong.

I had my breasts done 2 weeks ago and so far have been complication-free. But I know if I developed severe capsular contracture and needed to have my implants replaced, I'd be looking at shelling out another $7,000. I'd have to live with ugly boobs for at least another year until I could save up the money.

So really it's all about figuring out what the most common complications are, what your surgeon says you're at highest risk for, and whether they're medical or cosmetic complications. If it's medical, you'll obviously need to be in a position to take care of it, even if that means taking out an extra loan. But find out about your regular insurance kicking in. If it's cosmetic, then you can live with it until you can afford to get it fixed. And a slightly wonky tummy tuck is still a thousand times better than a big bag of loose skin, in my opinion.

I spent 8 grand upfront for my Hernia, TT & Gynecomastia with a few more bills to come for labs etc.
My comlications with the blood clots have all been covered by my insurance company so I would assume everyone else's would be the same. The thing with the seroma I think might be a ? mark I will have to address that with my PS today when I see her.

Good luck
Bubba

OK, got my price today - about what I expected (though I like most of those above better).

$10,900.00 this includes the surgery, all follow-up appointments, overnight in the hospital.  Surgery is about 4 hours.

This is the 2nd consult I have had (2 yrs ago was the first one) and at the time it was $8,000.00 - different surgeon.  But do accomplish the side rolls he said it was a separate surgery.  The $10,900.00 surgeon said she will just cut a little further back and get those too.

And best of all - the surgeon has cosmeticare or something like that - it is insurance they carry on patients behalf in the case of complications so they are covered.  So now all I have to do is pony up the money and schedule.

Maybe not for 5-6 months due to upcoming vacations (mine) but it may take a while to round up the cash anyway.