I already have an 'apron' and I haven't lost any weight yet. I've had 4 kids so have an overhang that already develops rash and is unsightly. I was saying to my DH yesterday that when (not if) I reach goal weight after being banded, I would like to have a tummy tuck. He has agreed completely, so now my research starts on this part of my journey to a new me.

I have a couple of questions though I hope someone would be able to help me with:

1. Is a tummy tuck covered by private health insurance? I'm with HBF and I am certain that cosmetic surgery is not covered. But if it is a result of weight loss and child bearing, might it be considered medically necessary?
   
2. If it's not covered, roughly how much would one expect to pay for a tummy tuck in Australia?
   
3. Is a tummy tuck something you do only once you're at your goal weight? Or just before? Or after you've maintained your weight for a while?
   
4. Do you need to find a plastic surgeon who specialises in banded patients?
   

I have more questions but can't remember them all right now. If we need to fund this ourselves, we need to look at saving now. If HBF will cover some of it if it's deemed medically necessary, then is it worth having my skin issues documented from now?

TIA!!

uneeek,

I think inner thigh lifts don't seem to have the same 'seamless' look of other surgeries like tummy tucks, and was one of the reasons I didn't get one. The results I have seen have been a bit patchy, often looking a bit asymetrical.

I was lucky though that when I got my body lift, it 'pulled' my thighs up a bit, and with further weight loss, they just don't look so bad anymore. The main area of excess skin for me was my inner thigh, and while it's still there a bit, it's not obvious when I'm dressed. I even had someone tell me the other day that I have great pins!

How bad are your thighs?

Apparently they're not as bad as I think they are.. In other words my mother tells me they're fine but I know myself that they're not. I've been toning like crazy all along and I'm starting to think it's just something I'll have to get over. It is mainly the upper, inner thigh.. I'll check out my options when I get to that point, I'm not certain at all about what I'll do. Where most people seem to feel the need to get a tummy tuck and their arms done, I'm actually ok with my arms and weirdly lucky with my tummy.. it's just these thighs! Argh! *Jumps back on the orbitrek*

Give it time though. My upper inner thighs are also my problem area and they are improving all the time. They probably look the worst right after you've lost all the weight. But then over the next year, a lot of it bounces back. Mine did.

As long as the skin in that area isn't stretched paper thin, I think you have a decent chance of it settling into something you'll be able to live with long term.

Thanks, I hope so! I look good clothed.... Naked is an entirely different story! Lol. Keeping positive though. :thumbup:

Hey Lellow - Just noticed that you're from Perth (as am I). Where did you get your body lift done and did private health insurance/medicare pay for any of it? I'm going to need a tummy tuck (and I'd like my arms done too) at some stage, although will probably wait till after we have kids.

Okay after reading about inner thight not beng very good has anyone seen how the arms look after surgery, mine well hate to tell anyone but here goes 2/3 of my arm hang and i feel i have no choice and have to get them done!

Funny how some people think its so easy when you get a band ....

Arms are more commonly done.. You can google results/photos of before and after shots, to me, arms look like they'd be pretty successful. Though i've always had doubts about thighs, especially one way that they do it..

Emma,

My surgeon was Dr Bruce Allbrook - I would recommend him in a second, he is a genius! Google him, he's easy enough to find. He did an amazing job on my body lift.

My entire surgery cost about $26k, but I only paid about $16k out of pocket after Medicare and PHI chipped in. If you're only after a tummy tuck, it will probably set you back about $6-8k out of pocket. Dr Allbrook provided me with Medicare item numbers for the reconstructive aspects of my surgery, I was the one who decided to go the 'whole hog' and have a lower body lift, which is why it cost as much as it did. But I don't regret a cent.

Thanks Lellow. I'll certainly keep him in mind when it comes time.

Hi everyone,

Just bringing up this old thread to see how everyone is going and if anyone ended up having a tummy tuck?

I will definitely need a tummy tuck, but have about another 15 kilos to lose first (have already lost 45 kilos). I am just wondering now if I should be changing my health insurance to one that has better coverage for tummy tucks (I am with Australian Unity). Also, should I start seeing my GP about stomach rashes so this is documented (I am have a apron stomach)?

I deally I would like a tummy tuck and breast lift, but it appears hard to find consistent information on what is covered by medicare and health insurance and what the cost should be, can anyone help?

Thanks!!!

Hi Tully,

I ended up not getting a tummy tuck but a full lower body lift. I have pics in my profile page if you want to have a look. I got it done in April 2009 and since then have had a tattoo done over the scars (just in the last two weeks!).

I'm also have breast augmentation done on the 28th Oct. I chose not to do it at the time of the body lift, but now regret it and have booked myself in to get done. I'm only going back up to a C/D cup where I used to be a DD, but I'm almost almost half the weight I used to be, so a C/D cup will be proportionate and not porn-star like, lol!

My BA will not be covered at all by Medicare or my PHI, but my body lift was covered in part by both as I was given item numbers for the surgery. I ended up paying about half of the total cost of the body lift out-of-pocket (about $16k) and the rest was paid by Medicare and PHI.

I had no history of rashes or anything, but had a massive 'overhang' of skin, and received item numbers simply because they were so 'abnormal' looking. Pics are, again, in my profile, but you may have to add me as a friend for you to see the album (if you haven't already lol!).

Thanks for your response lellow, that is super helpful. You look AMAZING!!! I am just blown away by your pictures.

I couldn't see any tummy pictures, so I have added you as a friend so I can see them, if that is OK.

Good luck with BA this month, that is so exciting! I think I will definitely need a breast lift and maybe BA too. So far I am still a D cup, but I tend to lose a lot off my chest (not my belly unfortunately).

Here is my blog too if you're interested: You Would Be Pretty If...

Tully,

thanks! I've added you as a friend now so feel free to have a look at the pics in my album. Will post more after my BA too - I can't wait! I will be wearing a string bikini this summer lol!

I will definitely have a read of your blog, too! Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.