Question:
Is it kind of a given that insurance won't pay for plastic surgery

I get the impression that a lot of people get plastic surgery after bariatric surgery. I'm curious how seeming so many do when insurance probably doesn't cover it unless medically necessary?????    — Kathleen F. (posted on May 24, 2009)

May 24, 2009
Kathleen, My insurance doesn't cover plastic surgery, to my knowledge. But I think alot of them allow one. I am not real sure on that. I might or might not have it done when I reach my goal weight, it will depend if I need or not. Then I will pay out of pocket for what ever my insurance wont cover. I think that is what a lot of people do. Vickie
   — lpn_1992

May 24, 2009
I have read on here a couple of different times that there are some instances where you may be able to get insurance to pay. One way was someeople have issues with skin rashes and infections in the folds of the extra skin so then it becomes a medical issue. Of course it takes time and LOTS of documentation. Another I read was a lady who lost about 200 pounds had a really big problem with her lower back from carrying the loose skin around her abdomen,she was really having this problem already with her belly fat. However, a lot of documentation from a couple of different doctors and she was able to get a tummy tuck paid for and then she added very little of her own funds to get the breats lift.
   — texasred

May 24, 2009
Insurance usually doesn't cover anything if it is for cosmetic reasons. So, if you have a lot of excess skin that is causing skin rashes and infections, for example with a pannus or apron (stomach hanging way down), they might do a tummy tuck, but usually won't do the whole abdominoplasty which tightens up your abdomen as well. If you have large breasts that are now really saggy and it is causing you a lot of back and neck problems, they might do a breast reduction which would include a breast lift, but no augmentation. I haven't heard of any insurance that will pay for cosmetic surgery itself, though. So, most usually end up paying for it on their own. Our surgeon agrees to do the tummy tuck surgery for free once we have lost our weight as long as we maintained our muscle during the weight loss - we still have to pay for the hospital/anesthesiologist costs, but it helps.
   — Wendy M.

May 24, 2009
Kathleen: I have BCBS and they allowed the first breast reduction b/c of rashes, tightness in shoulders, headaches, grooves b/c of bra straps. in 2004. A couple of weeks afo I had panni and lateral breast lift. They paid for the panni of which I had a anchor cut. (PS did a great job, looks like abdominoplasty. They did not pay for revision of breast lift. that was 3500 out of my pocket. But documentation is the key before or after your RNY, etc. backaches, headaches etc. document everything. Hope all goes well! MJ (Boston)
   — mjvallee