Question:
Has anyone that has been about my size ever had insurance pay for a panni. ?

I started out at 5'2" and 210 lbs. I am fairly sure that insurance won't cover an arm and thigh lift. I don't want implants, so I'll just get good push'em up bras. Anyone ever had a lot of abdominal surgeries (2 c-sections, gallbladder out, tubes tied, appendix out, weightlloss surgery and a partial hysterectomy--using the "bikini cut") and have any luck with getting insurance to cover a tummy tuck? I know it's easier to get the tummy tuck covered as apposed to the abdominoplasty (sp). HELP    — Cinna G. (posted on August 27, 2002)

August 27, 2002
I'm 5'2 and was 248. My insurance paid for the full abdominoplasty. It's not the number of prior surgeries you've had, it's the amount of excess skin that you have that needs to be removed which will determine if the insurance will pay for it. Show pictures of your excess skin (turn to the side and pull it out as far as it will go) and that's normally what makes the insurance company pay for the tt.
   — Patty H.

August 28, 2002
Hi Cinda G, I had the open rny Oct 15, 2001, and have lost 125 pounds, I am 5'5", but started out at 278 pounds, so even tho I am taller than you, I had more weight on me. I had the tummy tuck/hernia surgery June 20,2002, and I had no problem getting approved; I have BC/BS of Mich, my husband is a retired GM salaried employee. I just went to a Plastic Surgeon, and he took all the pictures, and submitted them, at that time I had only lost 92 pounds, but he took care of all the paper work, and it was approved in about 2 weeks; Where are you now in the process? I have had a hysterecomy, gallbladder, and another hernia surgery; I have alot of scar tission, but everything went great with the tummytuck/hernia surgery; I have a FLAT STOMACH YEH!!!! God Bless you in your quest for a healthy trim body; Susie
   — lostitall

August 28, 2002
Many years ago I had lost over 160#s and kept it off for a while. I was experiencing lots of sores engendered by the hanging skin. Eventually, I was able to convince my insurance company (Oxford at the time) to pay for 2 surgeries to remove all the excess abdominal skin, as well as thighs and underarms for medical reasons: could not stop getting sores and irritations. Hope this helps! Michael
   — Michael H.