Hi all! I had a tummy tuck in October after a 90 pound weight loss. My dr. was adamant that it was purely cosmetic but agreed to send in a pre authorization to insurance. I received the denial a few days after I had the surgery (I paid out of pocket as I was pretty sure I would have to anyway). I decided to appeal the denial with insurance and finally in January I was approved for the panniculectomy portion of the surgery. Unfortunately in that time my dr. left the practice he was in and opened his own practice. If insurance wouldn't have taken almost 3 months to review my appeal my situation wouldn't be what it is today and that's why I need help.

The old practice will not file a claim on my behalf because the dr. is no longer there. They DID provide me with some records and a copy of the bill. The new practice is not set up for insurance so the dr. won't help me either. :( I'm at my wits end and am now attempting to file the claim myself. But, having a problem filling out the claim form (a typical Form 1500, it's red and white). Most of the form is self explanatory but I have no idea what to put in for a diagnosis or nature of illness code. I thought I would google weight loss but the only code I can find for that is unexplained weight loss, and that doesn't fit. I'm afraid to leave it blank. Also, there was no referring provider so not sure if I can leave that blank or not. And, date of current illness? Would I put the same date as the actual surgery? There is another spot for all that so I think not but there is no "current illness".

Is there anyone out there that has any insurance or medical office knowledge that could help me? I would really appreciate it!!!!

Good Morning,

i was wondering as a male who has lost lots of weight but now in very good physical condition, my only problem is loose skin hanging below the belly button, after doing alot of research, could i just do a mini tuck with no muscle repair?

could i get an estimate how long would i need to recover? how long off work?

thanks,

hey can you please tell me exact months of swelling?

I had RNY in November 2017 and am down an amazing 190 pounds. It is time to start investigating skin removal. I have pretty much decided that a LBL is the way to go for me. Has anyone used a plastic surgeon in OKC or Tulsa? Can you share your experience with me and/or give me some recommendations. I don't want to go to Mexico -- have had 2 post op infections in the past and am afraid.

Thanks in advance!

Pam

Congratulations! I am two weeks post op fleur de lys abdominoplasty today. I lost over 100lbs with my VSG and have been carrying around the extra skin for years. Honestly it was more an annoyance than anything else - in an odd way I wore the skin as a reminder of where I had come from - however it was a huge hinderance - mostly for exercise. So after consulting 3 plastic surgeons and lots of thought here I am! Now I will say my surgeon is amazing if for no other reason than he listened to me and when he asked what my biggest fear of this surgery was I said the pain. He spent 10 minutes reviewing his pain management protocol with me. That was huge for me! From the moment I woke up from surgery I was always kept comfortable with quite the drug ****tail. The first 3-4 days are a blur because of meds. By day 5 I was moving slowly with a walker but moving! By day 7 I was off the heaviest pain meds and down to 3 times a day with a mini pain med ****tail. By 10 day follow-up I was able to walk to the car, the doctor, etc with the walker (slow but again walking!). And yesterday I did all that same walking with no walker! When I am asked if I feel pain honestly the answer is no - my abdomen feels like someone taped off a square and when I move it just feels like the tape is pulling - it doesn't hurt and it's a hard feeling to explain. I am down to maybe one pain pill a day and that is really dependent on what "activity" I do. Do this for yourself - know there will be challenges, accept there will be scars but when it's all said and done be proud of yourself and know you've started a new chapter!