I would like any scar tissue and extra fat taken out of my stomach area. Would OHIP would cover this?

Question

I think that my doctor did my c section wrong, causing me to retain a pregnant look, and need for frequent urination. I have had 3 c sections and never had a problem with a stomach pouch or anything. During my second c section the doctor told me he was removing scar tissue before closing up. My first two scars were barley noticeable, this scar was much more noticeable. The doctor did not mention cutting out scar tissue.

Mathew A. Plant, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Its really tough to advise you specifically without actually examining you, but what you are describing does not sound like OHIP would fund it. Unless you have a fold of skin that hangs below your pubic bone OHIP specifically excludes you from getting a panniculectomy. It does sound like you genuinely have a medical issue (rather than a cosmetic one) and a system that claims to be as good as ours does should cover that, but unfortunately the reality of OHIP is completely different from the fiction that our government writes. The one good thing however, is that they will cover the cost of a consultation with a surgeon to see if you are in fact eligible. The only way to know for sure if you'd be covered or not is to have your family doctor refer you to a board-certified plastic surgeon to be examined. Best of luck!

Atul Kesarwani, MD, FRCSC · Answer

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan will not cover scar revision unless it is causing significant symptomatology, and does not cover body contouring surgery.Your issue of frequent urination should be investigated medically.Good luck.

Robert Shenker, MD · Answer

Based on what you described in your note, I doubt very much OHIP would pay for any surgery.  OHIP is only interested in paying for operations that address serious medical issues, not Cosmetic issues. I hope this helps....Dr. Robert Shenker MD FRCSC

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Rosie87,

Thank you for your clinical
post.  It is unlikely that OHIP or the
managed health care services in Ontario will pay for a scar revision or
aesthetic contour or irregularity of your abdomen.  For the frequent urination I would get your
family doctor to refer you to a urogynecologist to ensure there has been no
post pregnancy alteration to the neck of your bladder leading to stress
incontinence or frequent micturition. 
OHIP would certainly cover that anatomical abnormality if it were to
have occurred.

As for the external appearance the
“muffin top” or extra tissue hanging over the scar is common when the scar has
attached the underlying muscle and retracted causing an indentation.  In general, this is a amenable to several
operative possibilities.  If your skin
tone is reasonable high-tech liposuction techniques such as SmartLipo of
BodyTite can remove the overhanding tissue or muffin top and a radio frequency
V dissector can be used to free the retracted scar and smoothen it.  This has the advantage of being
non-excisional, minimally invasive and can be performed under local
anesthesia.  A second alternative would
be to perform the advanced SmartLipo or radio frequency assisted liposuction
and then perform a scar revision or mini tummy tuck.  This is usually a skin only procedure, does
not involve muscle work and can tighten your skin or reduce the overlying bulge
and flatten the tummy.  If you have good
core muscle strength of the rectus abdominis after 3 pregnancies this is often
a good option as it can be performed under local anesthesia with little downtime.

If you have underlying muscle
diastasis and bulging due to rectus abdominis separation and alterations to the
belly button that appear unattractive than a full tummy tuck with a repair of
the belly button, tightening the muscles or removal of the extra skin and scar
revision would be performed.  This can be
performed with a little bit of liposuction on the hips and flanks to complete
your Mommy makeover.

To find out which is your best option
visit two or three plastic surgeons in consultation and pick the team and
surgeon that gives you the most confidence.

I’m sure you’ll get an excellent
result and best of luck. To find out more, please visit the
link below. I would also suggest you visit the areas of Mommy makeover as I
have been performing cosmetic plastic surgery for 24 years and the restoration
of abdominal hip and flank contour after babies is a very common procedure.

To schedule a consultation simply
click on one of the online consultation request forms or call the number and a
SpaMedica client representative will get back to you promptly.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

I would like any scar tissue and extra fat taken out of my stomach area. Would OHIP would cover this?

Answers (4)

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