Question:
I have been turned down for a abdominoplasty from my insurance company .

The reason being is that there is no documented rash from the panni. To be honest, I have never had one pre or post op. My surgeon told me to "get one" so that he can send a picture in. Any suggestions on how to obtain a nasty looking rash ? The insurance company agrees that I need the surgery they just won't pay for it without the rash....go figure.    — Kelly H. (posted on June 18, 2002)


June 18, 2002
Well, I think you would need to do everything opposite that I do to avoid the rash! Such as, do not dry the area after showering. Wear tight clothes. Avoid cotton undies (go for some poly-blends). Moisture of any kind is what starts mine.
   — Karen R.

June 18, 2002
There is another approach that may work for you. At the last support group meeting I attended, a person talked about successfully appealing her denial for Abdominoplasty on the basis of 'reconstruction'. The comparison was made to women who have had breast reconstruction after having a mastectomy to treat cancer. Insurance companies typically cover this work on the basis of restoring a 'normal' appearance after surgery. So the reasoning is...WLS is medically necassary to treat the disease of obesity (and they approved that, right?) and a TT is needed to restore normal appearance, therefore it should be covered. Your mileage may vary but, to me, this approach is better for retaining one's integrity and making it easier for others who follow to receive their approval. Good luck.
   — Phil M.

June 18, 2002
sand paper or poison ivy!! LOL.....good luck
   — Jack W.

June 18, 2002
I have gotten a rash from forgetting to rinse enough after soaping up during a shower.
   — acluff

June 18, 2002
spray hair spray under the panni frequently. it will create a nasty looking rash in no time.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 18, 2002
OH MY GOD,WHAT I WOULD DO TO NOT GET A RASH.
   — deb44m

June 18, 2002
Fool proof rash in two HOURS: Pick up some Nair and rub it on the area. Keep it there for about 30 minutes. I pulled on the skin so that it would become more sensitive. I also blow dried the area. What a rash! The doctor was impressed. Problem is now I have one again. It's like cold sores, once you get one, you always have one.
   — Jeannet

June 18, 2002
I sure hope that your insurance co is not reading this site Kelly. I think what you are doing is fraud or at least in thier eyes it would be. Posters: would you encorage a person who wanted a facelift to rub chemicals on thier face or cut it with a razor balde? How about if Kelly got complications and died from your sugestions? Would you at least feel guilty ? Perhaps you could be found copeable in a wrongful death suit. Food for thought.
   — Robert L.

June 18, 2002
I have to agree with Robert...fraud is the reason insurance costs us all so much money. Too many people very deserving of surgery for valid medical reasons are unable to afford it, with or without insurance. I am fairly certain I'll need an abdominoplasty as a post-op. But if I have insurance that won't cover it, I'm going make it my mission to save the money to pay for it myself. I cannot fathom vanity being a valid reason to be deceitful. Now if you developed a serious, life threatening ailment and your insurance company denied you....that's another story. I hope you're able to have the surgery. But try another way to go about it. Good Luck - Anna
   — Anna L.

June 18, 2002
Well, I wasn't encouraging fraud. I assumed that she avoided the rash on purpose- as I did mine, and like the majority of us do. I still have the trouble sleeping, the terrible back aches and what-not associated to my panni- and I would think those issues alone would get me (or her) the TT.
   — Karen R.

April 30, 2004
Hi Kelly, Like you, I have never had a rash--and I don't care to either. Only one time, after a shower I was drying myself and when I looked down I thought my belly button was bleeding..it scred the crap out of me. I mentioned this to a friend of mine and she said welcome to the world of rashes. I read somplace on here a long time ago that "NAIR" works wonders. But like the other posts, thats really fraud. I've always made sure I've kept my pannie clean and dry, but I too need a rash for ins purposes. Email me at [email protected]
   — M H.




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