Question:
DOES MEDICARE PAY FOR TUMMY TUCK ?

I AM READY TO HAVE THE EXCESS SKIN REMOVED AND MY FAMILY DOCTOR HAS SAID MEDICARE COVERS IT IF MEDICALLY necessary, BUT ALL THE PLASTIC SURGEONS I HAVE CALLED SAY NO THEY DON'T ?    — MATER-SALAD (posted on December 9, 2008)

December 8, 2008
Medicare will pay for a pannelectomy if it is medically necessary. I lost from 365 to 180 and had an "apron" that had continual infections under it. None of the medication available helped. I had documentation of this from my PCP and my dermatologist complete with pictures. I had my surgery on the 16th of October and am very pleased with the results. My surgeon, Dr. Tung from Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, did the pannelectomy with fleur-de-lis (not sure of the spelling). He used stitches inside and used dermabond (I think that is the name of the glue type stuff) on the outside. My scar is very thin. There is a difference between the pannelectomy and a "tummy tuck" as they do not tighten the muscles with the pannelectomy; however, mine looks as good as my friend's who had the full tummy tuck. In fact, my scar looks better. When you talk to your PCP, have him refer you to a plastic surgeon who does the pannelectomy and see if it is right for you. Oh, and by the way, my surgeon has also petitioned Medicare for permission to do my thighs and arms as reconstructive surgery due to my arthritis, fibromyalgia, and PVD. He said they will probably turn it down the first few times but if we continue to appeal, they will eventually pay for it.
   — Karen P.

December 9, 2008
Sounds to me like they should be paying for it. If they need to do this surgery to alleviate more and chronic pain from your arthritis and fibromyalgia that makes it medically necessary. vinnigirl
   — vinnigirl

December 9, 2008
I know that my insurance will pay for the removal of the skin but not the muscle tightening. Much of it is how it is worded on the paperwork. If they can word it as reconsturctive surgery instead of plastic surgery they should pay.
   — phyllismmay

December 9, 2008
The plastic surgeons told me the same thing...that it is medically necessary, but they want their money up front and will not wait on medicare to pay them later. I have a 6-1/2 inch panni hanging in front and with Rheumatoid arthritis it is making things difficult to do like walking and pulling on my back causing much pain and skin rashes are getting harder to treat. I get them really bad during the summer and winter is not any better it seems bundling up and the smell when i sweat is horrid. I have to take showers about 3 times a day. I take baby wipes wherever I go cause I am afraid I smell. I go through baby powders like no other each month. As some one mentioned about the fibromialga (msp) and it making it worse..I am going to mention this to my PCP and see what she says as well as my wls surgeon in January to see if they can get something done to get this panni removed. If not then back to square one. I have medicare only.
   — mspisces

December 11, 2008
Karen P. - What is PVD?
   — sem51