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I Have Lost Nearly 60 Lbs, and Have a Very Large Amount of Skin Hanging Over, Would Insurance Help with This?

asked 5 months ago by L in Fairdale in Fairdale, Kentucky
Latest answer by Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Question viewed 95 times
Tags: coverage, insurance

I have lost nearly 60 lbs, and have a Huge amount of abdominal skin hanging down. Makes my shoulders and back ache, have constant issues with yeast, which can be smelly as well as painful Will insurance consider this?

7 answers to I Have Lost Nearly 60 Lbs, and Have a Very Large Amount of Skin Hanging Over, Would Insurance Help with This?

+1

Insurance coverage and lax abdominal skin

Insurance companies will not pay for any procedure deemed to be cosmetic in nature such as a tummy tuck. However, on occassion, they will cover a procedure known as a panniculectomy which is the resection of a large apron of skin of the lower abdomen and which is associated with local skin infection, severe rashes and/or skin breakdown. In order to find out what is right for your situation, consult with one or more board certified plastic surgeons. It is also best to do what is... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

No insurance for a cosmetic tummy tuck but maybe another option

Thank you for your question. Insurance does not pay for a full tummy tuck but sometimes insurance will help pay for what is called a functional abdominal panniculectomy if you meet certain criteria. A panniculectomy only removes the hanging roll below the belly button. To see if a panniculectomy or a tummy tuck is right for you, see two or more board-certified plastic surgeons in your area for a complete evaluation to make sure you are a good candidate and that it is safe for you to have... more
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Panniculectomy insurance coverage

Some insurance companies (but very few) will pay for panniculectomy, which is removal of the hanging skin apron of the abdomen. Generally, it has to be established that comprehensive dermatologic treatment has failed. Although this may not be the "best" operation for you, if you have looseness of the abdominal musculature, if you cannot afford a tummy tuck and your issue is the inability to control the skin infections, then it is worth pursuing. more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Even if insurance covers, you don't want the operation they pay for!

Congratulations on your weight loss! Unfortunately, insurance only covers surgery that restores function or treats medical/surgical disease. Shoulder and back ache, as well as yeast infections, may in some cases (chronic problems documented in your medical record and for which maximum non-surgical treatments have been unsucessfully tried) qualify for insurance reimbursement . . . . . . BUT, only for panniculectomy, NOT tummy tuck, extended tummy tuck, or lower body lift!... more
Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Abdominal Wall Contouring Surgery and Insurance?

Congratulations on your significant weight loss. It is very unlikely that insurance companies will consider covering tummy tuck surgery. On the other hand, some insurance companies may cover panniculectomy surgery. I would suggest in-person consultation with well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons to discuss your goals, the best operation to help you achieve your goals, and whether or not that operation will potentially be covered by health insurance. Best... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Treatment of excess hanging after weight loss

Insurance companies only cover "medically necessary" procedures. Some insurance plans may (emphasis on the work "may") cover a procedure called a "panniculectomy" which is essentially an amputation of excess skin below the waist level. However, this is NOT a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is usually the procedure that is needed for comprehensive anterior abdominal wall contouring. Tummy Tucks are... more
C. Bob Basu, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.basuplasticsurgery.com

+1

Insurance "Coverage" of Hanging Skin Removal after Massive Weight Loss

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery refers to operations done to save lives and mprove function while Cosmetic Surgery refers to operations done to improve appearance. Each healthcare policy is different. The overwhelming majority of medical nsurance policies do NOT pay for Cosmetic surgery. When it comes to hanging tummy skin, removing the skin apron or panniculus, may be paid for by SOME policies but it is far from being a Tummy Tuck. Unlike a Tummy Tuck this operation will not make... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

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