My coworker who had gastric bypass said she would be able to get insurance to cover her abdominoplasty/panniculectomy because the excess skin was causing rashes and back pain and thus it was deemed medically necessary. She is working in another area of the hospital now so I haven't been able to talk to her to see if it actually was approved. Anyone else had this? I have Blue Cross PPO. How much does an abdominoplasty generally cost?

I've heard of them doing the panniculectomy, but never an abdominoplasty. Some people get them both at the same time and the doctor charges them seperate for the abdominoplasty. It's a lot cheaper that way.

I have Blue Cross PPO of WNY and I got approved first try!!! I haven't even had my lapband for a full year yet either! I was so happy!

How'd you do that? What documentation? Doctor's visits?

No documentation of any sort. Just my plastic surgeons write up that I suffer from rashes due to the excess skin.

Whatever he wrote was like magic!! Of course my pictures could have made the panel feel sorry for me!

My doc didn't even think it would work and he told me that straight out!

They approved skin removal AND tummy tuck!!!

I'm going to set up an appointment with a surgeon and see what happens...

That is awesome. I have Highmark BCBS PPO and am in desperate need of a panniculectomy even BEFORE lap band surgery so that's definitely encouraging!