What are my chances of being approved for a panniculectomy?

Question

The most I've weighed is 375 lbs. I now weigh 224 lbs. I've had two children. I am starting to get rashes on my bikini line, underneath my "apron", and on my leg where my "apron" rubs. I've asked a doc for cream for it. It greatly affects my self esteem and mobility. It hurts my stomach to bend over because it pulls so much. It hurts my back because it weighs so much. I can't exercise properly because it gets in the way.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Let me first say congratulations of your weight loss! Whether through a diet and exercise program, or through bariatric surgery, what you have done is a huge task and takes a huge amount of effort and dedication, so way to go!As for the panniculectomy, no one can tell you that until you submit it to your insurance company. Some companies will not approved the procedure under any circumstances, some have specific criteria that one must meet to qualify. You could always contact your insurance company and discuss it with them. There are even some companies who would approve it but your insurance buyer has excluded the procedure from your benefits. It is a crazy game to play, but you cannot really know without submitting it to your insurance company and finding out. With this comes another problem, there are not many plastic surgeons who are willing to do this procedure for insurance. The results are often not cosmetically appropriate and in line with patient expectations ("tummy tuck") along with the fact that reimbursement from insurance companies is usually very poor and not worth the effort of the procedure and the three months of post-op care that is included with the procedure. You should contact a few local plastic surgeons and ask them if they see patients for insurance panniculectomies and when you find one that does, schedule a consultation with them.Best of luck to you!

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

A panniculectomy is a body contouring plastic surgery procedure designed to remove loose skin from the abdomen that hangs below the waist and causes certain symptoms, some of which you have described.A panniculectomy can be covered by insurance. What requirements will be needed for this to occur largely depends on your insurance plan.  I would start by asking your insurance company to provide you this information and then you and your doctor can work to see if thisnisnsoemthing that you qualify for.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

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