[GinaMarie]

I have my first consult with a PS doc on Tuesday. My insurance covers "removal of excess skin after wls". Does anyone know what the difference is between that and a TT?

I'm sure the doc will explain it all to me, but I wanted advice from my peers before just walking in there and asking for something other than what I need. I really don't ahve the $$ to pay for surgery so I really need my insurance to pay.

I am not beneath complaining about back pain for a breast reduction. I am trusting that would be covered.. Any suggestions or advice?

[Aliswife]

I am a little thrown about your loss? Your stats don't seem to be correct. Looks lke you weigh zero?

As far as the PS...It is an individual preference. I would think if insurance is paying for the excess removal of skin it would be where you have the excess skin. For me, exaurating the issue would leave me feeling guilty. If your loss is great then, you should be approved for not anly what you need but, also get the coverage u need.

I would also think a TT would be the excess skin removal. I can't imagine the removal would be any less then a traditional TT. I could be wrong!

Good luck!

[RC59105]

When I went to a special plastic/cosmetic surgery seminar here in my town it was explained that every procedure done to your body is billed differently (all depends on where on your body the need is and exactly how much alteration is involved) that most insurances will not cover removal unless you have documented medical reasons to justify surgery of this nature.
Far as I know most people in that seminar said they can't just have had alot of weight loss from surgery- they have had to prove to the insurance company why the extra skin is a medical health issue.
The best advice I could offer is get all of the info that you can before getting into something you might not be able to afford. Especially info directly from the doctor who would be doing the surgery..... Find out how much it costs and if insurance has a problem maybe you can start saving up for it yourself.
Best of luck to you.

[ragdolldude]

Excess skin removal from the abodmen is commonly called a panni. Jus the excess skin is removed. No musclse re-attachement or other things are done, just skin removal. The panni is nowhere near as cosmetic pleasing as the PS surgery. The panni are paid by most insurance companies, if you have a documented history of the excess skin causing issues--lots of documation over several months and photos of rashes, etc.
A local PS in our area works with one or more insurance companies. Not every patients is just happy with the panni, and the PS surgeon knows it. So he's approached local insurance companies to have them pay for the "panni part" of the surgery, and the PS surgeon charges the balance of the PS surgery costs to the patients. This saves $3000-4000 to most patients. It helps, but I doubt most insurance companies will come out and say they pay for plastic surgery. It's considered cosmetic, and is not normally covered. DAVE

[decker1976]

What Dave says makes sense. Insurance compaines usually require tons of documentation over an extended period of time. See your doc for every rash, skin irritation, etc...take pictures. If you've got back pain have the doctor document that. Every insurance company is different in their requirements. Mine wants six months of physician documented problems including pictures & treatment.

[Kenyar]

the way dave explained it is right. the panniluctemy (sp?) is just removal of skin that hangs below the belly button and nothing else. abdominoplasty is a tummy tuck which may include tightening of the abs etc. panni is NOT something to do for looks. in fact, i wouldnt recommend it AT ALL unless you can afford to have the rest done with it otherwise you will be disappointed when you wake up.

research this thoroughly before letting anyone talk you into having it done.

[BreeChick]

A lot of women call the panni a TT and that's actually incorrect. A TT is one of a couple of ways..an abdominoplasty (sp?) which involved removing the excess skin, taking the muscles along the full abdomen and tightening them then also pulling the skin from either side tightening it also, lifting the mons too and creating a new belly button usually too!

I've know sooo many gals now that have had the full TT and the Panni done. They are most assuredly NOT the same animal!

The Abdominoplasty will result in an anchor incision that is from below the solar plexus all the way to the mons, then hip to hip.

A breast reduction/lift will result in a scar from the nipple down to the crease then side to side on the underneath..nipple position readjustment and then sometimes an implant is also put in to fill it out tight if the patient want this. This is TOTALLY different than just a 'boob job'..much more involved.

Sometimes, in pics and friends who've done the full TT it will also pull up some of the thigh skin if they only have wrinkling at the tops of the thighs. These full TT's have some really amazing results!

The most important part of getting the insurances to pay for these things IF they do..is-------------

DOCUMENTATION OF ALL RASHES, PAINS

you must keep a great picture journal and keep going to the PCP with complaints of the pain, rashes caused by the extra skin, pain from the hanging skin, pain from the breasts at the shoulders, etc.. Even then you may still have to apply for the surgery a few times before they finally see you are totally serious about it and PAY for it.

Good luck!

It's good to get all the info ahead of time for sure.

[GinaMarie]

Thanks so much for the feedback. I will keep you updated.

[SkinnyMe1342]

I was interested in seeing the difference after reading these post. I didn't know about "panni". I found a interesting web page, I think from a PS office, with photos and a Q&A.

Beverly Hills Abdominoplasty Los Angeles Tummy Tuck

Thanks for asking the question. I am always learning stuff here.