I have kaiser permanente they did my sleeve almost 2 years ago, I heard that some patients have gotten their tummy tuck and arms approved by them or they refer them out but pay for it. I have kaiser and live in southern California and are that in Northern California they refer out. Just wondering how hard it is to get it approved and if it’s worth doing it through them. Thank you!

I'm curious about this too. Hopefully someone will respond.

Kaiser is really hard to get approval from. I had RNY in 2016 and I tried to get them to do a tummy tuck about 6 months ago but they denied it. They told me I didn’t have enough hanging skin and I didn’t start out at a high enough weight. My highest weight was 265 and I’m at 175. I ended up going to a plastic surgeon and I’m having the surgery Wednesday. If you started at a higher weight you have a good chance they will do it

On 11/26/2018 at 21:01, lisalynne65 said:

Kaiser is really hard to get approval from. I had RNY in 2016 and I tried to get them to do a Tummy Tuck about 6 months ago but they denied it. They told me I didn’t have enough hanging skin and I didn’t start out at a high enough weight. My highest weight was 265 and I’m at 175. I ended up going to a plastic surgeon and I’m having the surgery Wednesday. If you started at a higher weight you have a good chance they will do it

How did your TT go?

It was very painful ? I love the outcome but I wasn’t prepared for the pain. I had RNY in 2016, breast surgery in 2017 and the tummy tuck in 2018, by far the last one was the hardest. I had drains on both sides of my hips that ended up staying in for 2 weeks. The drains were the hardest thing to deal with. The good thing about the surgery is you see results right away. I’m 6 months out and still a little swollen but my stomach is pretty flat. I’m glad I did the surgery, I just wish I was better prepared for the pain. If I had any advice to give , it would be to make sure you get a lot of pain pills ?

On 4/30/2019 at 7:47 AM, lisalynne65 said:

It was very painful ? I love the outcome but I wasn’t prepared for the pain. I had RNY in 2016, breast surgery in 2017 and the Tummy Tuck in 2018, by far the last one was the hardest. I had drains on both sides of my hips that ended up staying in for 2 weeks. The drains were the hardest thing to deal with. The good thing about the surgery is you see results right away. I’m 6 months out and still a little swollen but my stomach is pretty flat. I’m glad I did the surgery, I just wish I was better prepared for the pain. If I had any advice to give , it would be to make sure you get a lot of pain pills ?

I'm having a drainless TT next Tuesday. Just wondering if you think the post op pain will be less because of the no-drain technique? Any tips for the immediate days following the TT? TIA.

The only thing that caused me a lot of pain was the drains. The one thing I would suggest you get is a raised toilet seat. It’s very hard to get up and down with your stitches and the raised seat helps a lot. The Dr wanted me to sleep in a recliner for 3 days but it was to hard for me so I just propped a lot of pillows behind me and slept in bed. I think you will do great with the drain less one. Good luck ?

21 hours ago, lisalynne65 said:

The only thing that caused me a lot of pain was the drains. The one thing I would suggest you get is a raised toilet seat. It’s very hard to get up and down with your stitches and the raised seat helps a lot. The Dr wanted me to sleep in a recliner for 3 days but it was to hard for me so I just propped a lot of pillows behind me and slept in bed. I think you will do great with the drain less one. Good luck ?

Thanks for your vote of confidence. I have the raised toilet seat (from years ago when I had a cast on my leg) so glad to see I can get some more of money's worth out of it! Yeah, no recliner but I bought two foam wedges; those things you use behind your back to read in bed. One behind me and one under my knees should keep me in a ideal post-op position until I straighten out.

Thanks again for bringing down my fear level!

It was honestly the best decision I ever made. It’s weird to look in the mirror and see a flat stomach. One thing that’s a little weird, your numb where your incision is. I’m not sure if the feeling ever comes back.

It was honestly the best decision I ever made. It’s weird to look in the mirror and see a flat stomach. One thing that’s a little weird, your numb where your incision is. I’m not sure if the feeling ever comes back.

It never does but you get used to it. 5 years TT post op. Scheduled for RNY. June 3. I'm doing it backwards. Lol

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Good luck ?