Hi Fellow Sleevers,

I may be a little early but I wanted to start planning and saving.

How soon after the sleeve surgery did you have plastic surgery?

Also, how much weight did you lose before you completed plastic surgery?

I know this is personal, but if you don't mind sharing (I know this will help a lot of us)....

What plastics did you have completed?

What was the cost?

Thank you!!

Hi Got2BThin' date='

Thank you for your response!

Do you have to jump hoops to have insurance pay?

My insurance company told me I would have to prove

that it is considered "medically necessary."[/quote']

My Dr. Said that it's not too uncommon to have approved.

My PS (well, chosen PS, I haven't had PS yet) and I, along with my family physician, have been "building" a PS case for insurance approval for... 8 years now. At this rate, one of them will retire before I get rid of my excess skin. You can build a case but it takes time and persistence, and quite a bit of dedication from your providers.

Since I"ve not had PS I can't really answer OP's question, but I can give my guideline. Goal + 1 year of stable weight. My PS will not do reconstructive procedures on WLS patients who have not maintained their weight (loss is OK but no gain) for at least 12 consecutive months.

Cost is estimated around $6200.

A quick note on approval - what happens most frequently is that part of the PS someone wants is considered medically necessary, while other parts are not. Often you can self pay the additional surgical costs and use the approved portion to cover hospital fees. I don't know the exact breakout, and I don't know percentages at which this is done or anything.

Just for example, you're far more likley to get approval for a panniculectomy than a brachioplasty, but the brachioplasty may end up having OOP costs of, say, $2200 versus $4000 standalone.

A quick note on approval - what happens most frequently is that part of the PS someone wants is considered medically necessary, while other parts are not. Often you can self pay the additional surgical costs and use the approved portion to cover hospital fees. I don't know the exact breakout, and I don't know percentages at which this is done or anything.

Just for example, you're far more likley to get approval for a panniculectomy than a brachioplasty, but the brachioplasty may end up having OOP costs of, say, $2200 versus $4000 standalone.

Wheetsin,

Thank you for your response.

I am not ready for PS, but

I may see a fee doctors just to get an idea of what to prepare for.

The most important thing is documentation when it comes to having insurance pay for things and it depends on your insurance.

Mine will pay for TT and full body lifts including breast lifts.

I can tell you that as far as the TT is either has to be significantly loose or cause you some discomfort or rash.

You have really, really good insurance!

If you don't mind, which insurance do you have?

I have Cigna.

You have really' date=' really good insurance!

If you don't mind, which insurance do you have?

I have Cigna.[/quote']

I have Ucare. Feel free to inbox me if you have any specific question because as I have been researching this there is truly a lot to know

I would love to see if there are any Canucks weighing in on this. I am just in the beginning stages of choosing a surgeon (which may include MX) and I don't know what the heck I'm doing right now....

I am I one year today. Need an inner thigh lift. Not sure when I will get it, but I know I will. Tummy tuck at some point too, but will wait to meet with a doctor. Have a consultation on August 3rd with one doctor. Washington, DC is out of this world expensive in comparison to other markets. My sleeve was $18k.

Say whaaaaat!! Your sleeve was only 18k!!? I had my sleeve done at the Washington Hospital Center in July... Hospital bill came in the mail and I almost fainted... $46,000.00!! Can't recall the exact figure. Thank God for insurance.

Are you seeing a doctor in the DMV for plastics?

Say whaaaaat!! Your sleeve was only 18k!!? I had my sleeve done at the Washington Hospital Center in July... Hospital bill came in the mail and I almost fainted... $46,000.00!! Can't recall the exact figure. Thank God for insurance.

Are you seeing a doctor in the DMV for plastics?

Wow, I would really like to know what all goes into a $46,000 price tag!!!

That price sounds insane compared to what I paid in Mexico. I do wish I had follow-up care, though.

The doctors in DC are the most expensive in the entire country! Dr. Markmann wants like $19k for a Brazilian butt lift. That is just ridiculous. I have a consultation in September with a surgeon in VA. I told myself that I would not have surgery until I really gave good effort in working out. I really am going to start now. I finally feel ready...which ever since I have been taking vitamin D and b-12 I feel better. I was kind of in a funk, but I am ready ready ready! So I will see him for pricing, but wouldn't consider doing anything until January or February. I do feel like my body is changing but only time will tell. Then the whole $20k for plastics!! That just is overwhelming. I still owe $5k for the sleeve! I have to pay that by November soni don't get charged any interest. I just wish I had $50k to pay everything off & have plastics! Thigh lift, lower body lift, breast lift, Botox, and whatever else!!! Surprisingly I am totally fine with my arms.

Wow' date=' I would really like to know what all goes into a 46,000 price tag!!!

That price sounds insane compared to what I paid in Mexico. I do wish I had follow-up care, though.[/quote']

I know! The best part is so far all I have to pay is $150 of it.

I've so far lost 50ish pounds in 2 and a bit months. I saw my surgeon for a check up the other day and he says I'm looking younger (bless him). I told him the wrinkles have not set in yet due to the weight loss, though I'm hoping I won't have any.

I too am already looking into surgery and sussing out surgeons in my area that do the procedures, as I know I'll need to get something done. I think I'll wait a year post reaching my goal weight, though that might change when the time comes.

I'm already saving money...I'm even forgoing a trip to the US next year *cries*