I posted on line yesterday before I left for my doctor's appointment. Now it's just a wait and see game with my insurance company. I wish I had talked with someone about their first trip to see a plastic surgeon so I would have known what would happen when I got there. I was completely shocked when they said I'd have to have some pictures taken. I should have known they would do that but I guess it was just something that I didn't think about. After the initial interview and answering a lot of questions, I was told that as soon as the photo room was available, they'd take me there. That's when the nerves hit! I didn't know what to expect at all. Then the moment of truth came and I was taken to the photo room and told to take all my clothes off and put on a pair of surgery panties. Needless this was nothing more than a small piece of cloth held together with elastic strings. I told the nurse that was helping me that I had always thought my first time to wear a g-string might be under different circumstances. Then the doctor came in and that's when the tears started to flow! He told me this wonderful story about daffodils and what it all meant was to not look back at the past but just look forward to the future. So, there I stood completely naked with tears rolling down my cheeks and have pictures taken. Now those will be sent along with a couple of letters from doctor's stating medical necessity for the surgery to my insurance company. All I could think of was "great, now a bunch more people can look at my horrible body". But if that's what it takes to make part of a dream come true, so be it. I'd be stupid to not know that I couldn't have blown my body up to the size it was and not expect there to be some "party favors" left over. I feel like a balloon that was blown up way too much and then all the air was let out. Not that that isn't a great thing because I feel like a different person, now I just want to be able to look into a full length mirror and not be grossed out by my own reflection. I just wanted to share my first step with anyone that might be taking this journey as well. Like I said, I just wish I had talked with someone so I would have known somewhat to expect. Now I have to just sit and wait to hear from my insurance company and the good Lord willing, I'll be scheduling a pannicolectomy in the near future. Thanks for letting me share all this with y'all cause if there's any one in the whole world that can even somewhat relate to all of this I know it's y'all. As you can see by my novel disguised as a post....I'll keep everyone updated on how this all goes for me.

Becky, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for ya! I go for my first appointment with PS in May. I was wondering what to expect so thank you so very much for your post! Keep us informed!

Hi Becky, sorry I couldn't warn you but I didn't have pics taken at my appointment because my insurance will not cover it. Good luck on your journey. Its so exciting. Julie

Do you mind me asking what are they saying is the medical necessity? I am about ready to also go see the plastic surgeon, but I was informed insurance never covers this type of surgery.....I have heard in the past though of people getting infections under the flap of skin causing bacterial stuff, etc. and that you need to document and take pictures over a period of a year and then they will say it is medically necessary. I have had seveal bouts of the skin under my flap turning red...but then it gets better...red, then it gets better, etc., etc., etc.

I am blown away that you have lost 275 lbs.....hell, if anyone can lose that much weight, they should guarantee plastic surgery for you....you are a miracle and such an inspiration. Good luck on your surgery and please keep us informed as I will follow your posts, because soon I need to start the journey and I would love to know what to expect. I have been following both of the Julie's posts and they are also remarkable and both are miracle's.....I dream of plastic surgery one day...I just don't have the money right now.....

Lori Ann......My insurance luckily does cover if it's deemed a medical necessity. My original surgeon, Dr. Jay, is going to write a letter documenting the problems with the "fat apron" as will the plastic surgeon. I work for a county and we have an employee health clinic and any problems that I've had with infections, so forth, I've talked to them about but the plastic surgeon seemed to think my pictures alone should be enough. I go through a can of Gold Bond power weekly and yesterday I didn't use it on purpose. By my appointment it was red and had some blisters. They took pictures of that as well. It's even caused a couple of yeast infections that I had to be on antibiotics for. I know this all sounds gross but it's something that does help with insurance approval....hopefully! I'm just so afraid I'll get my hopes up and then have them burst my bubble. Good luck and let's keep each up on what's happening for us.

Thanks so much Barb and Julie.....it means so much to always know you have someone in your corner that truly hopes for nothing but the best. We're all on this trip together and man, that so helps!

Becky I'm sorry it was so traumatic for you. I was a little shocked at my first visit and they gave me those little panties too. But they also gave me a robe so I wasnt' completely bare. Then at the 2nd consult (different doctor) I was able to keep my top half on. Its embarrassing but I figure a little embarrassment now to save me tons of it later is worth it.

Becky is your insurance co. covering a full tt or just the pannectolomy? I am very fortunate that mine is covering the full tt.

For those wondering if insurance will cover it, I didnt' have pics of my rashes but I told him that I use a fungal cream and that when I roll over the skin tears, I can't jog bc of the slapping of skin... stuff like that. I would definitely document it by going to pcp and even just taking your own pics.

Okay, now I am mad that I didnt even get the panties....I was naked except for my necklace. I feel for you......I was mortified when I realized they were going to take pictures. Never even entered my mind. I laughed and told the nurse no wonder she was skinny after having to look at me. I just told myself that if I wanted to try to get the insurance to pay for it that it was something I would have to do. I am in the waiting game with you.

Good luck

LOL the things we put ourselves through all in the name of beauty.

Findingme....I'm trying my hardest to quit thinking if my insurance comes through and thinking WHEN my insurance approves it. I hope we both get the go ahead and get the surgery! The rest of y'all that posted here, you're great! You know when it's something that is so humiliating, being about to laugh about it just makes it so much easier to get through. But the upside to this now is...I did keep my panties! someday after my surgery, I plan on getting those babies out and strutting my stuff in them...hopefullly a whole lot less stuff to strut with!

:thumbup: you kept the panties! too funny!! Ok so I didn't keep the panties but I stole a pair of my daughters bikini panties to try after the tt.

Man, bikini panties, I haven't thought of those in years! Steph you have inspired me, I'm going out this weekend and buy me the sexiest pair of bikini panties in a size 12 and then hope like heck my insurance company will approve me so I can fit my new body into them! Now just deciding what color to buy will be my only problem. I've always gone with blank granny panties cause we all know they're slimming...yeah right. So I just might have to find me some fire engine red or electric blue ones and chunk all those ole black granny drawers!

Oh come on - you gotta get a pair with writing on them like bright red with flames that say Hot STuff! Or Pink ones that say Only in your dreams!

It's been a week and a half and still no word from my insurance company. It's nearly all I can think about. I just hope and pray that I get good news from them soon. I hate to have my hopes up as much as I do and then have them come crashing down. I went shopping at lunch today and went into the dressing room to try on some capris...when I looked at myself in the mirror I just knew how much I wanted and needed this surgery. If any of y'all are praying people, please, please, please, say one for me and if the Good Lord is willing, I'll get some good news soon. I sound like I'm having myself a big ole pity party but it helps to sometimes just share what you're feeling with all of y'all. Most of you can so relate to how I'm feeling right now.

I"m praying for you sweetie. It'll happen and don't be afraid to check in with the insurance co. sometimes it gives them a kick in the butt and gets them moving.

Becky---it took my insurance company almost 5 weeks to get me approved. They claimed for over 3 weeks that they had not received it yet----then when they acknowledged getting it, they told me to call back every other day and tell the person, that I had a case in review and I needed a status update--2nd call they told me it had been approved!!!

My pics.....I was allowed to keep my bra on. And I wore my own panties, pulled down past the roll of skin. He took every angle known to mankind!!! I actually had a bleeding tear of the skin during the appointment, so he took close ups of it. He documented muscle tone in the rest of my body---actually measured and had me flex my calf muscle to show I was "in shape" except for my belly. He actually took pictures from the back to show my hips, butt, and thighs were totally in contrast with the problem of the stomach.

He sent 17 photos and 10 pages of documentation to my insurance. So once they began working on it--it approved quickly!!! BUT it was over a month. I imagine it was awhile leaving the Dr.'s office to put together a packet like that.

I am scheduled for May 20th-----later than I hoped, but worth it anyway!!! Insurance approved for a Full Tummy Tuck, with Mons Lift, and Lipo. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you guys---I know where you are!!

Kat