After my insurance company approves for my panniculectomy, how long do I have to wait to get my surgery?

Hi yazzysantos in Philadelphia, PA. Thank you for your question about how long I will need to wait after my insurance company approves my panniculectomy before you can proceed with surgery. The timing after insurance approval for your panniculectomy depends on the availability of your plastic surgeon, the surgery center or hospital, and the anesthesiologist. Timing is also dependent on how quickly you can complete your mandatory pre-operative blood tests, labs, chest X-ray, and urinalysis. An efficient plastic surgery office that works in a surgery center should be able to get you into surgery about 3 to 4 weeks after insurance authorization. If you are working with a very busy, experienced plastic surgeon who only works at the hospital, it may take one to two months. However, it should not take longer than 3 months. Thank you for your question about how long I should wait after my insurance company approves my panniculectomy before you can proceed with surgery. If you have any more questions regarding the panniculectomy, extended lower body lift, lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Since the panniculectomy or lower body lift is a major procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these procedures. Do your research. Ensure they have performed numerous panniculectomies or circumferential lower-body lift surgeries and have before-and-after photos documenting these procedures. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced panniculectomy or lower-body lift surgeon in your area, consider traveling out of state if necessary. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

The timing for your surgery once you get approval will depend on your surgeon's schedule and the schedule of the hospital. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Once approved by your insurance it's up to your surgeon and the facility to find the necessary time. I'm sure his schedulers could give you a better idea. 

Hello,
Thank you for your question. Once the panniculectomy is approved, timing depends on the availability of your surgeon and the surgery facilities. In general, it is two weeks from approval to surgery for my patients.
Best wishes,
Dr. Moein

There is no specific time frame that is required between approval by insurance company and date of surgery.  Even if you are still waiting on your approval, you can likely speak to the surgery scheduler at your surgeons office to see what their availability is like for the upcoming months-best of luck!

it would all depend upon OR availability and surgeon’s schedules.  This tends to be more limited during the holiday season.