Question:
United - OH - I've lost alot of weight and have tons of saggy skin hanging from my arm

I am wanting to find out how hard it is go get insurance to approve to have the skin removed. I have United Healthcare insurance and I am in the Columbus, OH area. Also any Doctors someone might reccommend.    — Deidre C. (posted on August 22, 2001)

August 22, 2001
I have that problem also. I had a consult with a plastic surgeon who called it "bat wing deformity". I don't know how bad yours is, mine doesn't impair function, it's a cosmetic issue. Insurance won't cover cosmetic procedures and according to the doc I saw, while the surgery would eliminate the haning skin....it does leave a long scar. He says most of his female patients aren't satisfied with the results because they still have to wear long sleeves or accept the scar. Since the whole point for removing the skin is to let me be more comfortable in sleevless clothes.......and a long, ugly scar is as bad or worse that skin.....I decided not to waste my hard earned money. A support group friend does have function impairment due to her "bat wing" deformity and problems with clothing. But, her insurer has denied her twice so far.
   — [Anonymous]

August 22, 2001
I don't know if United Healthcare will cover it - I'm curious as to that too. Did they cover your surgery? Dr. Fallang does it - if you e-mail me I'll give you the prices. He does arm lift, leg lift, and abdominoplasty.
   — K T.

August 22, 2001
Someone in group the other day proudly stood up and showed the results of surgery on her "bat wings". You can see the scar if you turn your arm over- but I think it looked great. I imagine she paid in full for it- unless it was included partly in other surgery at the time. I want it later!
   — [Anonymous]

August 22, 2001
I doubt it will cover it as its probably cosmetic. Mine isn't too bad, but I don't like the way it looks in sleeveless tops -- thankfully those 3/4 length sleeves are the rage -- there are lots of t-shirt like tops made with those sleeves. It does get some better though, as time goes by -- though it depends on how much weight you actually lost as to how bad it is. I decided not to sweat the small stuff.
   — Cindy H.