Question:
Does anyone have info on plastic surgery and getting medicare to pay?

I had open RNY on 1/13/03. Last night I found out that I have lost 85 pounds (my scale at home doesn't weigh correctly). I desperately need cosmetic surgery nd by the time I finish losing all my goal weight I am going to be a walking piece of flabby skin. Has anyone had success in getting medicare to pay for tummy tucks, breast reductions and arm flab removals? Any strategies? Any important medical conditions? Please help steer me in the right direction. Many thanks    — Melanie H. (posted on April 18, 2003)

April 18, 2003
Medicare would pay only if there was a medical need. You would need documented visits to your doc for skin infections (like in the folds, or underneath the excess stomach skin). It would also help to have photos of the infected areas. If you are having structural pain because of hanging skin, that should also be documented. From what I have heard, it is not easy to get Medicare to pay for these kinds of things. You need a very well documented case to present - and even then there is no guarrantee. I think it would be worth a shot. You might want to call a few plastic surgeons' offices and ask them what your chances would be. Good luck! :)
   — Judy K.