anyone have their ins pay for tummy tuck due to it being "medically necessary"?

[greensleeve 457]

I'm not trying to be rude but I have heard that is an urban legend. They say that the skin we would donate is too stretched out to work properly. I wish it were true.

It is 100% not an urban legend. My friend has not one stretch mark bc she has been over weight her whole entire life. Maybe do your research before you say something is not true

I did do my research. As my username indicates I've been at this for over two years and this subject keeps coming up. All I can ever find are the same links that the previous poster found.

And like I said I hope it is true. That would be so amazing for so many people. Even if you still have to pay for the surgery it would be awesome to know that your skin is helping someone else. Wow.

So I went to that organ transplant website and there was nothing there for live donors, it seems geared for families of people who have passed or people to register in case they die.

[greensleeve 457]

"These questions are asked quite often by individuals who have lost large amounts of weight and have excess skin folds. We appreciate your desire to donate, however, this kind of donation is unworkable. Allow me to explain why:

Our center does not obtain skin from these patients for several reasons. First, this method of obtaining skin is cost prohibitive. The amount of transplantable tissue obtained from tissue reduction surgery is minimal when compared to the amount of tissue obtained from a cadaveric (deceased) tissue donor. The procurement costs would be much greater as it would require the services of doctors, nurses, anesthetists, and other health care professionals as well as the use of an operating room and other hospital services. Cadaveric donation requires only trained tissue recovery technicians, and they can procure tissue after the body has been sent to the morgue (rather than in an operating room), thus keeping expenses to a minimum.

Additionally, cadaveric donated tissue can be used for transplant soon after recovery (as soon as quality assurance testing is complete), however, the FDA requires that tissues recovered from living donors must be placed into quarantine for six months. At the end of six months, all serologic testing (HIV and Hepatitis) of the donor must be repeated before that tissue can be used.

It is extremely difficult to obtain a skin graft from tissue than has been removed during tissue reduction surgery. The usual procedure for tissue reduction surgery involves the removal of skin and underlying attached tissues, often several centimeters. Skin grafts used for transplant (burn patients) are only 15/1000 (0.015) of an inch thick and do not include these underlying tissues. Skin grafts for transplant are obtained by the use of a surgical device called a dermatome, which peels off a very thin (0.015 inch) uniform layer of skin.

I do not know of any tissue bank that would pay for a donor's tissue reduction surgical expenses for the purpose of obtaining skin for transplantation. If you are interested in donating your tissues upon your death I would encourage you to share this information with your family. Your gift can save lives and greatly reduce suffering."

From a tissue bank web site. Maybe it is different in some countries?

Edited January 11, 2014 by Loveit2012

[ooffa511 507]

"These questions are asked quite often by individuals who have lost large amounts of weight and have excess skin folds. We appreciate your desire to donate, however, this kind of donation is unworkable. Allow me to explain why: Our center does not obtain skin from these patients for several reasons. First, this method of obtaining skin is cost prohibitive. The amount of transplantable tissue obtained from tissue reduction surgery is minimal when compared to the amount of tissue obtained from a cadaveric (deceased) tissue donor. The procurement costs would be much greater as it would require the services of doctors, nurses, anesthetists, and other health care professionals as well as the use of an operating room and other hospital services. Cadaveric donation requires only trained tissue recovery technicians, and they can procure tissue after the body has been sent to the morgue (rather than in an operating room), thus keeping expenses to a minimum. Additionally, cadaveric donated tissue can be used for transplant soon after recovery (as soon as quality assurance testing is complete), however, the FDA requires that tissues recovered from living donors must be placed into quarantine for six months. At the end of six months, all serologic testing (HIV and Hepatitis) of the donor must be repeated before that tissue can be used. It is extremely difficult to obtain a skin graft from tissue than has been removed during tissue reduction surgery. The usual procedure for tissue reduction surgery involves the removal of skin and underlying attached tissues, often several centimeters. Skin grafts used for transplant (burn patients) are only 15/1000 (0.015) of an inch thick and do not include these underlying tissues. Skin grafts for transplant are obtained by the use of a surgical device called a dermatome, which peels off a very thin (0.015 inch) uniform layer of skin. I do not know of any tissue bank that would pay for a donor's tissue reduction surgical expenses for the purpose of obtaining skin for transplantation. If you are interested in donating your tissues upon your death I would encourage you to share this information with your family. Your gift can save lives and greatly reduce suffering." From a tissue bank web site. Maybe it is different in some countries?

I think u have too much free time. All I know is my girlfriend is getting it done and I cannot think of anyone better to have it done.

[greensleeve 457]

Can you please get her to give more detailed information about where to go on the site because that would really be amazing if it's true.

[anmiller07 8]

I am going to call them on Monday.

[greensleeve 457]

Let us know how it goes.

[Queenfreak 36]

I had read if you get a hernia or other medical issues, once they have you in the OR they can also remove your skin for a lower price. In other words, you are already in there. I also read after surgery your insurance will pay for one part of the body. I wish I knew where I saw this to back it up.