haven't been on here in awhile, was wondering if someone could help answer some of my questions...i had surgery on august 9 2012 and i was wondering how soon can i have any plastics done? i have medicaid and was wondering if they would pay for it. i've spoken to someone already and she said after a year they would remove the panniculectomy because its very heavy and uncomfortable. so my question is how soon? does medicaid pay if so what are the requirments? ready for this hanging stomach to go!!! it's digusting to look at myself naked

My Dr. said one year out ask your Dr. not fore sure if medical will paid for it. if it's medical necessity medicare might pay for it they have guide lines may be your Dr can give you a letter. I know some one who did for her back having a hard time carrying the weight.. Good Luck!!

I do not know the specifics with Medicaid but generally if your pannis is causing medical issues, e.g. Fungal infections, continuous breakdown of the skin, then insurance will pay. If it purely for cosmetic reasons, e.g. I want to look good in shorts, then it is usually not covered.

Thanks to the both of you!!! No skin break down and thankful for that, and not so much for looks but I will be more confident but its more so because its very heavy and I sweat a lot and it tends to smell!

If it hangs below your genital area, it should be covered.

I was told 18 months out, and at goal for 6 months.

All you can do is try, a lot of times, if you have bariatric surgery, they expect to pay for at least a panni. Heard it helps if the request states 'reconstuctive' surgery not 'cosmetic' or 'plastic'.

thanks so much for your help. i have an appointment for next wednesday to see a plastic surgeon, hope all goes well!

Can anyone tell me if Medicare pays for reconstructive surgery? And what all are the requirements for being approved? Any and all opinions welcome. One more question do you usually have to wait a year after your surgery? As by then you would have lost all the weight. Lj

Insurance coverage varies but I will tell you, it takes skin 2 full years after a maintained weight to draw up as much as it can.