Question:
Getting plastics covered when you are on Social Security/Disability

My sister has WLS two years ago and was just turned down for her last appeal for Plastics. Does anyone have any suggestions on how she can go about perhaps finding another surgeon to help her? She cannot get a loan because of her financial situation and unfortunately no one in the family is able to help her either at this point and she is very frustrated and is looking for some advice. I really appreciate it if you could help out if you had this experience. I'd really like to try to help my sister out on this (she's down 225)! Thanks so much! (RNY LAP 12/17/04) -130 pounds and 20 to go!    — jenniferw (posted on April 28, 2006)

April 28, 2006
I HAVE HEARD THAT IF YOU KNOW OF A BURN CENTER SOMETIMES THEY OFFER TO REMOVE THE EXCESS SKIN FOR FREE FOR THE SKIN DONATION. THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO CHECK INTO.
   — ncooklpn

April 28, 2006
I know some doctors do probono work. Try Doctor Robert Ray out of Beverly Hills. I've had friends go to him and they say hi is amazing. I'm sure if you were to call or write a letter something could happen. Good Luck
   — Jenney

April 28, 2006
Evidently the doctors(s) she is seeing is not saying it's medically necessary to havfe the excess skin removed. This is what needs to happen those two little words "medically necessary" can make all the difference.
   — the7thdean

April 30, 2006
HI, Unfortunately the burns center donation story is an urban legend which is untrue, this issue has been discussed many times on this board. I don't believe that any surgeon does pro-bono work, The defintion of pro-bono is "work done without compensation for the public good". Pro -bono usually refers to lawyers who will take on a case without receiving payment for their time and services. Today with so many hospitals losing money, no hospital will provide their services (operating room & staff, nurses & techs, room and board) for free. Where this isn't a life threatening situation free care/charity care won't help. I know personally of several plastic surgeons who donate their skills, but it's for those who are disfigured and born with birth defects or injuries and usually they donate their skills to persons in undeveloped countries. Unless your sister can get a surgeon to say it's medically necessary she will have to learn to live with her body as it is. Good Luck
   — goldroses