Question:
Has anyone had a panniculectomy paid for by their insurance company

even though there was no back pain, rashes etc... involved?    — Helen C. (posted on October 27, 2001)

October 27, 2001
Yes, It all depends on your specific policy. Use the ASPS position paper on "reconstructive" surgery vs. "cosmetic" surgery at their website & include it with your request for surgery. Their address is (www.plasticsurgery.org) Good luck to you!
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 14, 2004
Yes, I just had mine last week, 10/4/04. My insurer is AvMed State of Florida Employees plan. I went from 451 to 230 and decided it was time to just go "check it out." I thought the plastic surgeon would probably tell me to lose another 40 or 50 before undergoing the panniculectomy, but he didn't! He said there's no way I'd lose much, if any, more of my hanging stomach, so no time like the present. I constantly had a horrible rash (that sometimes got moist and smelly) under it and it needed TO GO! It was classified as "out-patient" so I went in at 6am on Monday and was home by noon on Tuesday. Crazy if you ask me, but sitting in the hospital was making me crazy. I can feel bad laying at home, too, right! The drains are horrible. It's VERY painful and now my upper abdomen (mostly due to swelling) is bigger than my lower, which is odd. But, he took of nearly 13 pounds and found a hernia I didn't know I had and repaired it during the panniculectomy. So, now I'm just looking forward to getting the drains out, then ultimately getting the stitches out and watching the swelling go down further each day.
   — vmullins

October 15, 2004
Read your specific policy to see if there are exclusions for this surgery, or if they list exceptions. you may find a loophole!
   — koogy