Question:
Does anyone know of Blue Cross CaliforniaCare HMO covering tummy tucks?

   — Natalie G. (posted on September 3, 2001)

September 14, 2001
To be honest with you, I don't think anyone covers tummy tucks. They are considered cosmetic surgery. They expense is out of pocket my dear.
   — sistabodean

September 14, 2001
I try to keep an eye on this board as there is continued mis-information, particularly about reconstructive plastic surgery after WLS. PLEASE DO NOT POST IF YOU DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE POSTING ABOUT. Repeating urban myths helps noone. I cannot answer about a particular insurance company, except my own (UHC, Empire BC/BS) but abdominoplasty is definitely NOT cosmetic surgery. Neither do you need back aches or rashes or the bubonic plague to qualify (they may add cause to your claim, but are not the central issue). Again (I feel like a Greek Chorus every time I post this) the APS (Assoc. for Plastic Surgery) Position Paper delineates the necessity of insurance approving RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY FOR REDUCTION OF REDUNDANT SKIN AFTER MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS TO ATTAIN A NORMAL APPEARANCE! My bat wings, breast reduction and abdominoplasty were 100% paid for and I intend to get my lower body lift paid for soon. Not a rash in sight. This is the same principle as paying for reconstructive breast surgery for mastectomy patients. We have a right to look NORMAL and many of us don't after lives of gaining and losing hundreds of pounds. I have lost, at 23 months post-op from my BPD/DS, over half my body weight (181 lbs) and only surgical assistance can correct the effects of this kind of weight loss on stretched out skin. Another urban myth on see on these boards is platitudes about exercising, moisturizing, drinking water and assorted snake oil remedies. NOTHING WILL REDUCE STRETCHED OUT, SAGGING, DAMAGED SKIN EXCEPT RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY. I confirmed this after working out 5 days a week for a year with instructors at the Y, my DS surgeon and 3 plastic surgeons. The good news is that Plastic Surgery works and insurance has to pay (although you may have to fight and appeal to make them do what they should, just like with WLS). But now you have the CORRECT information.
   — Jill L.