Question:
Has anyone who had a Lap procedure been approved for a Tummy Tuck???

Since the lap procedure carries less of a risk for a hernia, has anyone who had the lap rny been approved for a tummy tuck through their insurance company... is so what did you do to have it approved???    — RD S. (posted on July 11, 2002)

July 11, 2002
I had lap rny 11/16/01 and achieved goal at 6.5 months post op. I had my TT on June 12, 2002. My insurance covered the TT because I was having abdominal surgery already (I had to have my gall bladder taken out and they wouldn't approve it at time of wls) And that worked to my definite advantage. I also sent my insurance about 15 8x10 color glossy photos of my panni/belly and hanging skin. They approved the abdominoplasty/TT within 24 hours of receiving my packet. I also sent a 3 page letter describing my rashes in skin folds, the difficulty I had in finding clothes that fit properly, having to make "adjustments" in clothing for my panni. I also described discomfort it caused me in every day life, in hygiene and in sex. I finished the letter in a description of how it affected me emotionally. As I said, I recieved approval within 24 hours of their receipt of that packet. I am exactly 1 month post TT tomorrow and I have gone from a size 24 to a size 4/6. It can't get any better!! :0) ~CAE~
   — Mustang

July 11, 2002
I had my lap RNY in March, 2000, and my tummy tuck/armlift in November 2001. The plastic surgeon submitted his letter of medical necessity with accompanying frontal/profile photographs to the insurance companies. The secondary insurance approved the surgery immediately, and the primary denied, which forced me into their appeals process. For the appeal, I re-submitted the original material from the plastic surgeon, along with letters of medical support from my PCP, as well as my bariatric surgeon. Like Christine, I also included a length personal letter outlining all the physical, psychological and emotional reasons that this surgery was important to me. Lastly, I included a copy of the 1996 Position Paper from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, entitled, "Treatment of Skin Redundancy Following Massive Weight Loss". I obtained this paper from www.plasticsurgery.org/profinfo/pospap/skin.htm. The primary insurer approved the surgery within one week of the appeal. Good luck!
   — Diana T.