Question:
early tummy tuck

I have a lot of excess skin hanging off my stomach. Is it possible to have an early tummy tuck just to get that off? I still have a lot more to lose, but it is really aggravating and it is getting irritated underneath. I have Medicaid. Thanks!    — brokenangel (posted on November 30, 2006)

November 30, 2006
You should wait until you have lost all of the weight that you want before having a tummy tuck. I feel that if you get a tummy tuck before all of the weight is lose you will still wind up having excess skin. This is just my opinion. I know that the excess skin can be attractive and yucky but if I were you I would wait.
   — The One

November 30, 2006
Hi, I agree with the last post, you want to wait until you are about 10 pounds from your goal, at least thats what my surgeon said. Insurance will only cover it once, so you dont want to have it done and then lose a substantial amount more and still have even more excess skin.. and then have no insurance coverage. I just had the tummy tuck and breast lift done 5 weeks ago.. I am just starting to feel back to normal and the results are just amazing. Be patient and lose your weight first!! Best wishes, April
   — April

November 30, 2006
HI.... I agree with the other post-ers. You should, if you are not already doing so, be calling your doctor getting these irritations (yeast infections,etc) documented - even if it means calling once weekly. The more documentation that you have regarding the problems with the excess skin, the easier time you will have when it comes to getting your TT approved by the insurance. Congrats on the weight loss so far and keep up the good work..................
   — Kari_K

November 30, 2006
Congratulations on the weight loss! It is better to wait. There are lots of reasons for waiting. You do not need two surgeries, your Medicaid would not cover it twice, you will have a better chance of getting it covered if you wait and you really need to wait unmtil you have maintained your weight for a few months before having it done. There is a powder, RX only, Nystatin that will work great for the infections.Also, there are body suits out there that will help with this until you can have the surgery. Check them out. It is onlya temporary fix but will help for now. Be sure to see your Dr. regularly for the problem. This will help in getting it paid for. Best of luck in your progress, sounds like you are doing GREAT! Patticake
   — Patticake

December 1, 2006
Many insurance companies will not cover surgery to remove excess skin at all, so you should hang in there and only do it once, unless youo are rich. Not to mention - it is major surgery with all the attendant risks.
   — Novashannon

December 2, 2006
There are folks who have had to haven a pannilectomy early on, prior to reaching goal. It depends on the size and or any physical impairment. Do you have back pain, trouble walking etc. Only a Dr. can help you through this. If it is just based on rashes then I would wait. Use some of the items litsted above to treat your issue. See your PCP document everything. Usually, some one who started out very heavy will have to have a pannilectomy early then a full TT later on. Good luck to you. MaryLYn
   — Kriola