To all of my vets!! Did anyone have to get a tummy tuck after a huge amount of weight loss? If so, did your insurance cover it, As it being Medically Necessary? I know some people said they snapped back without a tummy tuck and others had very loose skin.

I had one. My insurance had a specific requirement--pannus had to hang past the pubic bone. Mine didn't so I paid. Totally worth it... I have my old car and a new body!

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If you have alot of lose skin and cant afford the surgery, check to see if you have a major burn center near you, they did my sister surgery to remove the skin because they needed it for burn patients. At the time, she lived in DC, but that was about 10yrs ago. I never wouldve thought of doing that but she did and it worked. My kids are treating me to new boobs. Thats all thats hanging on me....lol

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Most insurances will not cover a tummy tuck. Some will cover a panniculectomy with certain requirements.

Most post weight loss plastic surgery can be very difficult to have insurance cover unless there is a documented history of rashes, infections, or hindering movement.

Exercise can help, but some skin will be too far gone to ever snap back. It just depends on the degree you can live with. I can live with mine. Shapewear is a great thing.

If you have alot of lose skin and cant afford the surgery, check to see if you have a major burn center near you, they did my sister surgery to remove the skin because they needed it for burn patients. At the time, she lived in DC, but that was about 10yrs ago. I never wouldve thought of doing that but she did and it worked. My kids are treating me to new boobs. Thats all thats hanging on me....lol

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This is genius! I live near a military burn center hospital. Did they cover most or all of it?

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I had a tummy tuck at about 1.5 years post op. I had lost 140 pounds and had excess skin. I had an abdominoplasty and panniculectomy. There are before/after pics in my profile and my blog (themeiamnow.blogspot.com). I was successful in having insurance cover everything with the procedure. I just contacted them ahead of time, found out what the requirements were, and was sure to do them all. They required (1) that I be at least 18 months post op, (2) have 4 months of documentation with my PCP of "trying other treatments", and (3) submit photos from a plastic surgeon. My PCP was key in gettin gmy insurance approval. He was awesome about record keeping.

I was sooooo pleased with the results, though it was a hard recovery. I definitely would recommend it.

Im having mine on Monday and funding it myself.

@livvsmum I am dreading the recovery, however I will be staying in Hospital for a week so will have everyone to hand to assist me when needed. I have bought a lot of equipment and feel prepared for coming home. What did you find really helped you.

To the OP: my tummy is disgusting, my arms/legs are slim and no issue. I guess it affects everyone in different way and age/fitness/how much you lose will depend on losts of things.

@@livvsmum my insurance told me no cosmetic or plastics. So I guess I will just have to pay for that out of pocket. I'm just wondering where would I get that large lump of money from

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Im having mine on Monday and funding it myself.

@livvsmum I am dreading the recovery, however I will be staying in Hospital for a week so will have everyone to hand to assist me when needed. I have bought a lot of equipment and feel prepared for coming home. What did you find really helped you.

To the OP: my tummy is disgusting, my arms/legs are slim and no issue. I guess it affects everyone in different way and age/fitness/how much you lose will depend on losts of things.

Good luck! It sounds like you are super prepared, which I was not! I was surprised to get my insurance approval and when they did I hurried and got it done for fear they would change their mind. lol. If you have a recliner that would be super helpful because I was not really able to sleep lying flat for a while. Also, having 2-3 binders so you can switch one out and wash the other was good. Something random someone suggested was to get a lanyard to hook your trainage tube bottles too for showering and going to the bathroom. This was a life saver. Also, I had some guided meditation downloaded on my phone for those nights when they pain was really bad and I couldn't sleep. As cheesy as it sounds, they helped!