Fit2btied

I am 10 months out and the last week my stomach has felt sour and is tender to the touch. Could this be diet related or does this mean something more serious?

Thanks! I have been on there daily trying to look for more PS to get opinions from. I have another today and after this one I will see if I feel I need another opinion.

According to RealSelf the average price total for a Panni with out the muscle repair is $6,125 with prices I saw anywhere from 3-8 thousand...so the 5 you were quoted sounds just about right...You can go there and check out other reviews from his patients too..

Thanks for all of that! They have their own facility the surgeries are done in, which saves a lot on cost. I will be sure to get it all in writing so I don't encounter what your friend did. As far as the price, he has been in practice for like 35 years, so when I say he's not trying to make hand over fist, that's why. And honestly, if one doc gives me a price with my insurance that is more than another's price cash pay, I would say she is making bank. Whether it's bc of her insurance and education cost makes no difference to me. Experience and reputation will win me over.

So, just in case, some things to consider... Find out if you can see some of his work first hand, and check the internet for complaints. Is the anesthesia fee included, and what about the or, & hospital stay? One of my friends was given the bargain price of $5000.00, only to get additional bills from the facility and anesthesiologist, bring the price closer to 10 thousand.
Also, please take into consideration that these docs come out of school with huge education cost, malpractice insurance, and office start up, equipment and staff. It does not make them out for the money, or BAD people, their overhead is ridiculous. Just sayin' .

So I just went for a second opinion. UNREAL!! This guy charges 5grand for the TT WITH Lipo. That's less than the other doc wanted to charge with insurance. They are going to submit a pre cert today to see what will be covered but I am going with him regardless.

1st doc- $10,000 for TT no lipo

$6,000 for TT with insurance paying part

2nd doc $5000 for TT with lipo (no insurance)

Waiting to see what amount insurance will cover.

I don't think I am going to find a better price and I am hoping if I can't afford the TT that he will give me a little freebie if I do the panni. Lol.

This guy is older, board certified, and patient choice award. I don't think he's in it for the money anymore like the younger doctor I saw first seems to be.

Please oh please let this work out!!

I agree 100%! My dr. Did my full Tummy Tuck and for free he did my flanks for free! Also when doing my breast lift he took away the extra skin on the side.. I was soo pleased and happy he did that for me.. He went above an beyond what he was supposed to do.. That's the kind of surgeon everyone wants to get!

Where is your plastic surgeon out of, I need him. Lol

Do you have any before/after pics?

I am very happy with my panni/tummy tuck! For me, it competed the process.

Wow that is a lot of extra money just to have the muscles tightened...Makes me wonder how good of a job she would do if you don't pay up the extra??? Glad you are going to other consults. I know plenty of people who have just had the panni and been thrilled with the results, and you also get the bellybutton redone, so you should look pretty good. Hope you find a good honest doctor who can help you...

I feel the same way about the price. It's like I will do the pani but it's not going to look good unless you agree to the TT. I'm thinking I won't go with her regardless of what the others say. She is obviously in it for the money.

i dont kno yet if i am happy with the results,as i am still very swollen.but,i'm sure i will be ,because all that skin isnt there any more. a pani is all y insurance would cover and i cant afford a full tt.

How are you now? Do you like the results?

I am scheduled for may 22 for panni only. Already saving for my tt, but ins is paying for my panni

How did it go? Do you like the results?

Fit2btired, have you gone to your PS visit yet? I am sure if you haven't that your PS wants to give you the option of doing more while you are in the OR...Give it some thought it could save you a lot on later plastic surgery....Most of the time they will give you the option of including the muscle tighting to the panni. I know someone who had her panniculectomy a couple of weeks ago, also paid by insurance and while the doctor was in there he decided to go ahead and tighten the muscles for her....She was very pleasantly surprised, since the doctor knew she couldn't afford to pay to have it done...Give us a update...

I just got back! She wants to charge $6000 for the rest of the TT. Initially the TT was $10,000. I will not pay the $6000. I can't afford it and if I add my deductible into the cosmetic costs it's almost the same as paying outright. I have 3 other opinions to go to this week. So now I need to research getting just the pani done. I will update again after my other consults.

Thanks for your thoughts!!!

I had the sleeve about 9 months ago and couldn't be happier, it has changed my life. My father is obese, has so many health conditions but just can't lose weight because of them all. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is any surgery that can be performed by someone with extensive medical conditions. Yes, I know he needs to get an answer from a medical professional. But I am asking because I would like to have a plan if there is at all a chance he could have it. I know he would immediately say no, but if I had facts and hope for him I think he would consider it. I would love for him to regain his life back as I have.

Thanks for any replies.

Did your insurance cover both 15830 and 15847? Or was it just the 15830 because that's the code for just the skin removal. 15847 covers the cost of the fixing of the belly button and tightening. Thanks for the reply.

I just went to my second consult and the doctor explained that my insurance would cover the panniculectomy ( abdominal skin removal) below the belly button This is the part that some people and doctors call the fatty apron, the portion that hangs below the pubis. My insurance does not cover the muscle repair, and the vertical cut and skin removal above the belly button. I will have to pay $2200 for that portion of the surgery. I really want to have a good result.

As anyone had both 15830 and 15847 covered by insurance?

I am seeing 2 other plastics that week..lol

Don't forget, you can always get another opinion :-)

They could be wanting to discuss your portion of the costs. Such as copays, coinsurance a, deductibles. Or they could be out of network and want the difference between what the insurance approves and their charge (only applies to out of network docs)

Thanks! They are in network and I just get the feeling they don't like working with insurance bc their cut is less that way. So I'm trying to gather as much info as I can so if they try to tell me I owe for this or that I can come back with facts.

I am not going to say that you shouldn't be scared, we are all scared! I have 4 kids as well, but a little bit older. I am telling you, forget the worry as long as you have a great team working on you everything will be great. The only pain I had was from my incisions, and I am the biggest baby in the world. No pain tolerance what so ever going on here. I think I used the pain pump twice and they finallly un hooked me. You will have a rough first month or two but not because of pain but learning how to eat and getting in your fluids.

This site is 100% truthful. You have obviously done all your research. I would do this again in a heartbeat. You have made the hardest decision to go ahead with the surgery. You should embrace that next week is the start of who you will be on the outside, the person you already are on the inside.

There are only a handful of people who know about my surgery. I didn't even tell my husband until the day I was going in for it. He thought I was having my gallbladder removed..lol It's not anyone's business if you don't want it to be. Please pm me with anything you want to know. I will even give you my number to text me. You can do this!!!

HELLO THANKS FOR YOUR POST I THINK ITS THE PUSH INEEDED TO FEEL A LITTLE BETTER MY SURGERY DATE IS JULY 1 ST AND IM PETRIFIED BECAUSE I HAVE 3 BOYS UNDER THE AGE OF 11 AND I HUSBAND I CANT BELIEVE AFTER WAITING SO LONG IM SO SCARED SOMETHING IS GOING TO GO WRONG BUT I THINK IT COULD BE NORMAL PREOP JITTERS ANY ADVICE? ITS GREATLY APPRECIATED SINCE YOU ALREADY WENT THOUGH IT THANKS

I have been meaning to come and post for so long but hadn't had the time. I want anyone who is considering the Sleeve to stop worrying and just do it. I am almost 9 months out and have lost close to 130#. It's not an easy road by any means but when people say it's the best thing they have ever done for themselves, they mean it. I always thought they were nuts to say how much they loved their sleeve, but it's a life saver.

I started at 278 pounds, 5'8" and just like most people I had tried everything in the book to lose weight. When you get to a certain point it's just so difficult and discouraging to stay on track. July 8th will be my 9 month and I am now at 157 pounds. My inital goal was 170, but now I keep changing my mind as the weight comes off. Right now I am loosing a little less than a pound a week. That's just fine by me! Thinking I would love to be 140 but I don't feel that's a realistic goal to maintain for the rest of my life.

It was just a year ago that I had decided to look into weight loss surgery. I wanted the Lap Band and went into my surgeron with only that thought. I felt it wasn't permanent and I could remove it if I wanted. Well my mind was changed in 1 consult and honestly I am so glad he didn't go with what I wanted just to have the $$$.

I know there are so many wonderful people on here to talk to, but if anyone has anything they would like to discuss with me, I am all ears. I wish more people had the opportunity to get this done and covered by their insurance. It changes your life!!!

Great to hear and read the pre and post op discussions. I am set to have my surgery at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. Nervous but excited. Had a bad experience with the North Shore Physician group but now back on track. Please continue to share your stories and they ease the anxiety. Excited about June 25

Who did you end up going with? I had mine done at Good Sheppard with Dr. Hoeltgen.

My insurance has approved codes 15830 and 15847.

My question is for anyone who knows about insurance. When the plastic surgeon called they said they wanted me to come in and go over my insurance benefits and discuss the "cosmetic" cost of the procedure. Are they going to try and sell me other things or are they going to try and tell me that there are things that are my cost that really shouldn't be? Insurance said they are covering both procedures and everything that goes along with them so what could I possible have to discuss cosmetically?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Here's what my insurance states:

Clinical Conditions

Reconstructive

Abdominoplasty

When the following conditions are met:

• Panniculus hangs to or below the level of the pubis; and causes chronic intertrigo that consistently reoccurs or remains refractory to appropriate medical therapy that includes systemic antibiotics, topical anti-infectives, anti-inflammatory medication and appropriate skin hygiene; OR
• Repair of diastasis recti in the presence of a true midline hernia (ventral or umbilical).

You look freaking fantastic!!!

I have been stressed...and I have stalled horribly. I in 2 weeks I fave lost 2 lbs very slowly.

So frustrating when you know you're not eating too much. I need to get back to the gym and get the scale moving. I want to be at goal by 6 months. Good luck!

I hit a 2+ week stall at almost 3 months. The scale is starting to move again, but very little and very slowly. I was under a great amount of stress with some very serious family issues, including the death of my father. I've wondered if stress had anything to do with it, I, too, could have eaten cleaner, but it still wasn't bad and I wasn't going over my calorie goal. I don't know the answer, but I think stress could be a factor.

Have you begun to lose again or are you still losing slow?

I am on a 3 week stall at 3 months out. Does stress play a role on our weight loss? I have been under a huge amount of stress since before Christmas. I'm still not over eating or anything and yes I could eat cleaner but my calorie intake is still very low.

Hi! I'm almost 8 weeks out and doing well. I have lost 55 pounds so far. I'm not keeping track of anything, really. I eat small portions and stick to my dietary guidelines. Can't wait to see what the next 8 weeks brings me.