Question:
Can I have a tummy tuck and the WLS at the same time?

I hear some Insurance Companies will allow the tuck if it is done at the exact same time as the WLS is being performed. They will cover the tuck but not the doctors fees. Can you tell me more? Do you suggest this? Is there a higher risk if both are done?    — Courtrina Amur W. (posted on February 28, 2000)

February 28, 2000
I WOULD NOT RECOMEND A TUMMY TUCK WHILE YOU ARE STILL HEAVY. YOU NEED TO FIRST LOOSE THE WIEGHT THEN PLAN A TUMMY TUCK IF NEEDED. I WOULD ALSO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND ASK HIS ADVICE.
   — DanaDee1969

February 28, 2000
I had a tummy tuck at the same time as the WLS. The doctor removed about 15 lbs of fat and extra skin. I have been very happy with the results. I find that the muscles tighten over time as I continue to lose the weight. I started out at 244 lbs and I am down to 165. I still have 20 more to lose but my stomach is almost completely flat.
   — Joyce S.

February 28, 2000
My surgeon's office recommended against it. Although you are immediately lighter following surgery, depending on the amount of weight you have to lose and how rapidly you lose it, you may have to have it done again. So, in their opinion, it's best to wait until your weight-loss goal is reached. Hope this helps!
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 29, 2000
Be aware that a "tummy tuck" (medical term--abdominoplasty) is an operation that involves removing skin, fat, and muscle and "pulling" your lower abdomen closer to your upper abdomen by this removal. This is not the same as a panniculectomy, which is just a removal of fat and skin. Both of these operations are "major surgery" by themselves. I wouldn't recommend having them at the same time as WLS. Both can involve major blood loss and usually leave us with an iron deficiency anemia. Most WLS patients will not be able to replenish their iron stores very quickly on our limited post-op diets. It would also add morbidity to the primary operation and purpose--to lose weight. Young patients, especially, should allow time, exercise and skin's elasticity to prevail for a year after the end of weight loss surgery before contemplating plastic surgery. For older patients, my advice is also to wait until a year at least after your final weight loss and give cosmetic surgery a long and hard thought, especially abdominoplasty and panniculectomy. These can prove to be difficult recoveries. Anyway, you might decide you'd rather first have a mastopexy (breast lift), a blepharoplasty (eyelids), or some type of face lift. But that's between you and your plastic surgeon. N.B. Some panniculectomies are done on the "super-obese" at the time of surgery to allow the patient to be better able to move around and remain clean post-op. Sincerely, HDMatthias, M.D. RNY 12/99
   — Heddy-Dale M.

February 29, 2000
Hi . . I'm 6 weeks post op from RNY & pann. I had 18 lbs of fat removed. At 46 years (young) I am just now able to walk 1/2 mile but I feel great. I don't know how the ins. will pay the claim yet but I paid the surgeon $4,100. It is so worth it because I hated the apron "hanging around". I had lost 100 lbs before and I knew it was not going to disappear. The recovery was longer than people who just have the WLS but now that it is all over, I'm happy I had it done.
   — Mary P.