Question:
Help!!! Anyone that has had plastic surgery. The plastic surgeon I was going to use

submitted to my insurance for pannectomy approval instead of abdominalpastry approval (pannectomy was approved) and when I asked him to resubmit to insurance for abdominalpastry he refused, saying it would not be approved, and if it was approved, he wouldn't get his money from the insurance company. I have 25 lbs of excess skin and a huge panni and hernia. I have documentation of back pain and rashes. Do you think it would be hard to get an abdominalpastry approved? I have Blue Cross Blue Shield. Thanks for the advice.    — Judy W. (posted on July 15, 2003)

July 15, 2003
You know, I would go ahead and try. And, I might reconsider who you go to. He's obviously not concerned with what is best for you if he's only worried about getting paid. Thats HIS problem and you should'nt get the short end of the stick because of it. I unfortunately was a self pay for Extended TT, brachioplasty and breastlift all done at one time. (19k!). I only had 7lbs of skin removed and my PS deemed it necessary for the extended TT because of the 'fatrolls'all the way around I had. He wanted the best results possible and he also included lipo on my flanks for contouring at no charge. I'd get another PS who will work with you. You don't want to go thru with this and still be disappointed in results. BELIEVE ME!!
   — Kris T.

July 15, 2003
My PS told me that a FTT is the same as a Pannulectomy. So he kept referring to it as an abdominalplasty in the letters to the ins company and they rejected it all 3 times calling it cosmetic instead of reconstructive. The reading I did says they are about the same. Also, if you need a hernia repair, there is a good chance of getting the abdominalplasty approved. Good Luck
   — Donna W.

July 15, 2003
I agree with the previous poster. This doctor sounds like he's only concerned with the money. I saw a doctor like that. I dumped him and went to another PS who I now LOVE!!! He did less scarring and worked with me to make me look better - not to see how much money was in it for him.
   — Patty H.