Question:
No Apron But Loose Skin in abdomen and midriff (sp?)area ...

I've lost about 100 lbs and my body looks a little lumpy at' this point (much better than before though). My stomach hangs and when I squish it -- it looks like a big bowl of raw cookie dough (always thinking of food!). I do not have the apron, but I could wear a size or two smaller if I had the "panni" operation. Also, what is done for the midrif if it hangs also...is that also taken in or off or what? I'd like the insurance to pay for it, but at this point the only thing "bad" is it is kind of smelly, but I have no rashes. Do we just HAVE to HAVE an apron before insurance will pay for the panni? Thanks,    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 14, 2002)

January 14, 2002
I was one of those "unfortunate" folks who had as much or more excess skin above the belly button than below, and was afraid that a routine tummy tuck couldn't help me. My plastic surgeon performed an "anchor incision"....a long straight incision from breastbone to pubic area, and a horizontal incision at the pubic area that runs from hipbone to hipbone. By doing the long vertical incision, he was able to pull in the excess skin from the sides, instead of pulling everything "down" as is done in a more traditional tummy tuck. I love the results....all that midriff bulge is completely gone, and this procedure gave me a really firm, sleek look to my back (added bonus!). Although this is indeed a lot of incision, he used no external sutures or staples.....there is simply a thin pink line which I think will almost completely fade over time. Surprisingly, this was also the most "comfortable" surgery that I have ever had....no discomfort worse than a bad paper-cut! I also had an armlift procedure at the same time with great results also. My insurance providers approved the surgery, although I did have to go through the appeals process with the primary provider. My plastic surgeon, bariatric surgeon and PCP each wrote letters of medical necessity/support and quoted frequent rashes/potential for infection, chronic lower back discomfort as a result of the weight of hanging skin, and limited range of motion and inability of perform normal activities of daily living (including a prescribed exercise regimen) as rationale for this "reconstructive" (NOT "cosmetic") surgery. The plastic surgeon also submitted full frontal and side photos....humiliating, but necessary....which had to have helped! :-) Good luck!
   — Diana T.