Question:
Has anyone had reconstructive surgery on their thighs?

I have a huge amount of excess skin and flab on my upper thighs. I'm looking for information on reconstructive surgery for this, what would constitute it being medically necessary. Has anyone been able to get insurance to pay for this type of surgery? Thanks for your input!    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 9, 2001)

August 9, 2001
Jill Sokol is at this web site e-mail her. She had thighs sone in April this year. I know she wouldn't mind answering your questions.
   — Donna M.

August 9, 2001
Hi -- I just had my thigh lift last Friday -- along with the brachioplasty (arms). The surgery itself took a long time (8 hours), and I ended up having to stay in the hospital overnight because I had a tough time waking up! So they wouldn't let me go home. But I did go home on Saturday morning -- kept my legs and arms elevated -- and it was a piece of cake -- since there were no muscles involved. Unfortunately, I could not get the insurance to pay. I didn't appeal the thigh lift because the doctor said they probably wouldn't pay, but I am appealing their denial of my abdominoplasty. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
   — Audrey M.

August 9, 2001
Did I hear my name mentioned? Donna might think she can bandy my name about because I'll be her angel next week, but I'll allow it since we've been friends for 33 years -- most of them long distance! I have had my thighplasty done (and Donna saw them at her consult which was my first outting and a sprang a leak and wet the chair, pants and even filled my shoes in a restaurant). The thighs are not quite the piece of cake the previous poster thinks (although hopefully she will continue w/o some of the frequent complications). I speak from experience as I have had my arms done (that is a piece of cake), breasts & underarm, abdominoplasty, eyes and neck (and implants too). Will be finishing up with the rest of a lower body/outter thigh lift later this year. The thighs are hard (many PSs won't even do them because of the frequent aftercare problems) because of drainage/infection problems due to the lymphatic system. I personally was on 5 different courses of antibiodics, numerous visits to the PS for draining and follow-up and, of course, the interminable post-op instruction to "keep your feet up". It's hard to have a life when this goes on for 2 months. However, I'm hear to tell you that I'd do it again as it was totally worth it. My PS removed 6 lbs of skin and I look great. This is NOT the kind of procedure you want to go to Mexico or Costa Rico for, as follow up is critical (one week I saw my PS every day). Re insurance: my arms, breast reduction (same as lift except for insurance coding) and abdominoplasty were paid for by insurance based on the Plastic Surgery Postition Paper of '94 which states it should be covered after MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS TO REDUCE REDUNDANT SKIN TO ATTAIN A NORMAL APPEARANCE. My thighs SHOULD have been covered but were rejected and due to time/new job pressures, I did not appeal. I would suggest you do if needed. Since I have time now to get the lower body covered, you better believe I will make sure that insurance pays. Eyes, neck and implants are cosmetic and were self pay, of course. Good luck.
   — Jill L.