CONSULT

Went for my first consult for plastic surgery and got the insurance "go ahead."  They have deemed my abdominoplasty as "medically necessary!  I have also made an appt for a second opinion to compare apples to apples and determine which way to go.  Of course, insurance only wants to pay the bare minimum and I need more than insurance is wiling to do.  I think that's pretty typical, isn't it??  Next step is to determine how I'm going to pay for my out of pocket portion.  At least one of the hurdles is done!  Right now it's still a pipe dream...

Yes, that is pretty typical. Find out how much your portion would be to upgrade. If you get just the minimum done now (I assume just a panni) it is hard to revise later and still get good results. It is better to do it all at once.

Definitely plan on doing the full thing the first time.  I think if I just had what the insurance says, I'd be pretty deformed still.  I can't imagine what I would look like.  I only want to do this one time only.  Thanks for your great advice!

Absolutely go for more than one consult. After going to 5  I can tell you they all have a different take on what exactly they want to do. It is an art as well as a science.

There also can be a wide variation in prices. I did go to one consult with an in-network doctor, but the amount of his fee they were covering if I did more ...was so small...I decided not to make my decision based on that. Some insurances pay better though.

 Also if you can do a consult with someone who specializes in people with massive weightloss, it is worth it.

That's great! Hopefully my insurance decides the same thing. :)

Do you know what you will be looking at as an out-of-pocket cost? I'm curious how much is saved via the insurance covering the hospital fees, etc.

Haven't gotten that part yet.  The clinic is on vacation so waiting for the staff that does that portion to come back and they will get that for me.  

You're lucky to get any portion paid for.  Very rare = still get mult consults until you know all the details and feel comfortable with the surgeon and the plan for your surgery.  Make sure you understand the healing process - recovering from an 6=8 hr plastics surgery makes recovrey from WLS look like child's play.

( just finished my second round of plastic surgery (two weeks out today) - I know of what I speak)

I totally get it...  I've had 3-c-sections!  I'm sure it will be no picnic for sure!  I've heard when they do the muscle tightening, that's the worst part.  

I saw a youtube video of a tummytuck.  If you can take viewing that sort of thing, I highly recommend that you find one.  I do not need a tummy tuck, but the procedure was fascinating.  It showed why it works and why it takes awhile to regain your mobility. 

I've had two 8-hr plastics and the recovery can be long and uncomforatble, which you expect, but still gets wearying. Esp the compression garments.  (The initial post-op period fro my facial work was absolute agony, (no one believes me, but 20 out of 10, true agony for 3.5 days, so make sure you can get adequate pain relief if the skimpy percosets do nothing)) - It is the only thing where I needed a plan B and did not have one - PCP, ER room, pain mgt specialist, or even better another doctor!!, which is what I did for my second round of plastics and pain was adequately addressed on my second round. 

If you have read any of my PS posts, you know that I swear by the electric recliner.  I got one on craigslist for $40 and steam cleaned it (and my rugs) before my UBL.  I wish I had it earlier for my shoulder surgery and face work which I made do on a beach chair or bed with 1000 pillows and a few days on a friend's recliner.  I would think it would be helpful for recovery from a tt - but I don't know if you will need to sleep elevated with your tt.  Good Luck. 

Congratulations!!!!!!