Question:
Does insurance pay for pannilectory? And does it hurt more than the rny surgery?

   — melinda M. (posted on February 19, 2003)

February 19, 2003
My insurance, Aetna, paid for my panniculectomy...no questions asked. They have been great!!! My starting weight was 230. I am 5'7". I had open RNY. I am now 118 pounds. YIPEE!! The pain from the tummy tuck was not nearly as bad as I expected. My opinion is....it hurt about half as much as my open rny. good luck!!
   — skymaxjr

February 19, 2003
I had a "lipectomy". Removal of skin, liposuction, and tightening of the muscles. My PPOM paid for it 100% as all I needed was a letter of medical necessity.
   — Phiddy B.

February 20, 2003
I had a panni in June of 2002, and my insurnce paid for 90% of it, and in my mind the pain was bad, but it was more uncomfortable than anything else!
   — Amber1981

February 21, 2003
My insurance providers paid for my panniculectomy AND armlift surgery. I have Acordia as my primary, and CIGNA PPO as secondary provider. They were wonderful to work with! I had a lap RNY, but have had over 10 other major surgeries in the past (including two C-sections, an abdominal hysterectomy and a "traditional gall bladder surgery), and I have told everyone that the panniculectomy/armlift was the most "comfortable" surgery that I have ever had. I had an anchor incision....long vertical incision from breastbone to pubic area, and a "smiley-face" incision from hip to hip....and I was up walking in my room the same evening. I was offered the option of having the procedure in the surgical suite of the plastic surgeon's office, but elected for an overnight stay in the hospital. In retrospect, I feel that I could easily have done this in the office and gone home the same evening. I did have four drains in place post-op (which is fairly standard procedure), and was back at work full-time in an office position in two weeks. It is important to remember that we all have differing responses to surgery and/or pain.....just follow your surgeon's instructions and don't push yourself. Take as much time as you need for rest and recovery. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.