Thank you for your question and photos. If a surgeon contracts with insurance, you can certainly apply for insurance benefits for panniculectomy. Each insurance policy has its own requirements for what is considered "medically necessary," so having documentation from your PCP, dermatologist, and pain doctors would be helpful in applying for benefits. Keep in mind that a panniculectomy only covers removal of the excess skin hanging over the fold, so will not address the excess skin and tissue above the belly button, liposuction, reimplantation of the belly button, or repair of any rectus diastasis. In order to achieve the results shown in the diagram in the middle, you would need a full abdominoplasty which is not covered by insurance. But panniculectomy coverage can help supplement the self-pay costs of abdominoplasty. Best wishes!
Than you for your question and photos. I also agree that it would be best to wait until you have the financial resources to do the right surgery and get the full abdominoplasty. Just doing the panniculectomy + lipo will not give the same results as a standard abdominoplasty. It seems unlikely you would be able to get insurance coverage for a panniculectomy based on your photos. Every insurance policy has different requirements to meet criteria for being "medically necessary," but they generally want documentation that your pannus hangs below the pubis and you have chronic issues with rash requiring prescriptions to treat. Some insurance companies also want documentation that you have had to be treated with antibiotics for infection in the fold of the pannus. You can check with your insurance carrier regarding their specific criteria.
Pregnancy after panniculectomy/tummy tuck will likely affect the results of your surgery. However, if you do not have plans to get pregnant in the next 1-2 years, it may be worthwhile to pursue tummy tuck surgery if it is affecting your daily activities and lifestyle. You can expect resolution of rash and itching after panniculectomy, and possible improvement in low back pain (depending on the cause of the back pain). I would recommend a full tummy tuck for the best aesthetic results. Whether you would qualify for insurance coverage for panniculectomy is a different question, as every insurance policy has different requirements for what is considered "medically necessary." You can request details from your insurance provider, or make a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon who accepts insurance.
