Question:
Has anybody got their insurance to pay for a panni tummy tuck?

I had a hernia repair surgery done in May along with a abdominoplasty.My doc. was gonna do both kinds of tummy tucks but she thought the"T" scar would be a hard wound to heal properly. She wants to do the panni tummy tuck this winter. My question was has anybody ever had a panni tummy tuck paid for alone buy their insurance co.? My co is BC/BS PPO. I had my bypass surgery 8-19-02 at 356 and now weigh 152lbs and wear a size 6 down from a 26. I have alot of loose skin below my belly. I workout daily but the skin is still there. Yuk! Thanks for your help, Beth    — Elizabeth C. (posted on July 24, 2003)

July 23, 2003
Hi! I am getting ready to have the panni tummy tuck in September, I too, have BCBS PPO and they approved my tummy tuck first thing. The plastic surgeon told me BCBS ARE approving tummy tucks cos of the excess skin below the public area. I know other people that have gotten theirs approved too. Of course, I don't know your insurance policy, and they are different, mine is the state government policy but I would say you probably have a very good chance of getting it approved.
   — Judy W.

July 23, 2003
Just what did your doctor do? Did you use your WLS to do the hernia repair/abdominoplasy or a 'general' surgeon? I dont know what type of doctor you had; BUT I had my WLS do my hernia repair and a "Plasic Surgeon" do my abdomnoplasy. I had no trouble with my T scar healing, in fact that healed faster than the hernia part. The excess skin you talked about was REMOVED withe the admonnoplasy. Just what skin did they remove? In my opion, you might have trouble getting a panni' approved when they already apoved your abdomoniplasy and you had it done. THAT skin should have been removed at the same time.. it was 'included' in your abdominoplasy. I had BC/BS and Aetna and both approved.
   — star .