Sorry for cross-posting in the general forum, but I know I posted my recovery and process here, so I wanted to share here too.

So my surgeon sent me my "before" pictures yesterday, which of course made me want to take an "after" pic to compare. My surgeon does the "official" after pictures at the 3 month appointment when the scar is more healed. So I snapped a couple of pics today. It amazes me. There's only a difference of about 5 pounds in my weight since before and after surgery, but it seriously looks like a huge difference. I couldn't be more pleased with the results so far.

I have scar sheets on the scar, so we will see how that ends up, but so far so good.

Amazing difference! You apparently had a great surgeon.

Congratulations on your success. I know you worked hard for it.

I am now 5 days post opt from a tummy tuck and muscle repair and I feel great, it was highly worth everything and I had no major pain, I encourage anyone who have a large amount of skin after major weight lost surgery who do not like the extra skin to pursue it.

Cupcake and livvsmom.......... did you pay out of pocket? At my two year mark, in December, my insurance will pay for a panni, but not a tummy tuck. I would hate to spend my retirement funds on cosmetic surgery, but I am curious to what it would cost to finance it.

Amazing difference! You apparently had a great surgeon.

Congratulations on your success. I know you worked hard for it.

Thank you! I really did have a great surgeon. I joke that he must be a god. The surgery took 7 hours, and I'm so glad that he took his time and really did it perfectly. He's really please with the results too and the scar. I would say if anyone is thinking about having it done, picking the right surgeon who will take his time and get it right is SO important.

Cupcake and livvsmom.......... did you pay out of pocket? At my two year mark, in December, my insurance will pay for a panni, but not a tummy tuck. I would hate to spend my retirement funds on cosmetic surgery, but I am curious to what it would cost to finance it.

I was lucky enough to get approved for both the panni and the abdominoplasty. I haven't paid anything except office visit co-pays. You do raise a good point though. I'm certain I wouldn't have been as pleased with the results if I would have just had the panni. Firstly, that wouldn't have included the muscle repair I needed, secondly, it wouldn't have given me that nice hour-glass figure, and thirdly, I would have tummy overhang over my belly button. I would definitley encourage having both done.

Wow you look great! Congrats!!! Mine is scheduled for this Thursday! Your results are so encouraging!

I'm scheduled next month!!!!!! Terrified but thrilled to have a flat tummy.

S

I'm so envious. You look great. You are very fortunate to have great insurance. My loose skin is much worse than yours was, but my insurance turned me down for just the panni. It's crazy how our health decisions are so controlled by insurance company caprice.

Wow you look great! Congrats!!! Mine is scheduled for this Thursday! Your results are so encouraging!

thank you! Good luck with yours!

I'm scheduled next month!!!!!! Terrified but thrilled to have a flat tummy.

S

Don't be terrified. Just do your research & know what to expect. The more prepared you are the better it will be for you.

Here are a couple tips I would pass on. Get a lanyard that you can wear hook your drainage "bulbs" to while showering or going to the bathroom. That was a lifesaver. Also the hospital will send you home with a binder but I ordered an extra from Amazon for under $20 & liked it way more. And I don't know if you have one, but my recliner was crucial. I slept in it until I had the drainage tubes removed.

I'm so envious. You look great. You are very fortunate to have great insurance. My loose skin is much worse than yours was, but my insurance turned me down for just the panni. It's crazy how our health decisions are so controlled by insurance company caprice.

I'm sorry yours was denied :-( Did you appeal? It's funny we submitted for my tummy & arms at the same time & my TT was approved but the arms were denied. I'm I'm the appeal process with that.

You look great!

WOW, thanks for sharing the photos...I am now back on board! Maybe this winter....very happy for you....YAY to all of us!

I'm so envious. You look great. You are very fortunate to have great insurance. My loose skin is much worse than yours was, but my insurance turned me down for just the panni. It's crazy how our health decisions are so controlled by insurance company caprice.

I'm sorry yours was denied :-( Did you appeal? It's funny we submitted for my tummy & arms at the same time & my TT was approved but the arms were denied. I'm I'm the appeal process with that.

Can I ask what kinda of things you are including in the appeal? I am going to try I think. I don't have a lot of rashes or anything... A few that honestly are truly more from running but I did take pictures of those and a few tears. I have had back/shoulder issues and seen doctors/pt/chiropractor. Wondering if those would help. Trying to resubmit arms/Tummy and maybe submit for mastopexy as well but they aren't removing enough up there and are in fact adding so not sure.

I think they should cover abdominoplasty based on Rectus Diathesis (the separated muscles) from pregnancy but apparently they don't. If it happened to men they would! lOl

I'm so envious. You look great. You are very fortunate to have great insurance. My loose skin is much worse than yours was, but my insurance turned me down for just the panni. It's crazy how our health decisions are so controlled by insurance company caprice.

I'm sorry yours was denied :-( Did you appeal? It's funny we submitted for my tummy & arms at the same time & my TT was approved but the arms were denied. I'm I'm the appeal process with that.

Can I ask what kinda of things you are including in the appeal? I am going to try I think. I don't have a lot of rashes or anything... A few that honestly are truly more from running but I did take pictures of those and a few tears. I have had back/shoulder issues and seen doctors/pt/chiropractor. Wondering if those would help. Trying to resubmit arms/Tummy and maybe submit for mastopexy as well but they aren't removing enough up there and are in fact adding so not sure.

I think they should cover abdominoplasty based on Rectus Diathesis (the separated muscles) from pregnancy but apparently they don't. If it happened to men they would! lOl

My insurance requires at least 3 months of records of medical visits with your PCP recording problems that you had as a result of the excess skin and the treatments that were tried and failed. The main reason I think it was denied was my surgeon never submitted the records. So I had my PCP write a very convincing letting including everything he tried and why he thought it was medically necessary, I included the notes from each individual doctor's visit that was relevant, and I also wrote a personal note.