ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass and Lap Band® Forum - View Single Post

rebelg66 · 07-20-2006, 05:31 PM

Well I got clarification on what my ins. will cover and I was totally mistaken in what I thought. What I have found out now is that my ins will cover the cost of a panectomy (sp*). That is basically the removal of the excess skin that over hangs down and is loose. It does not include the tightening of the muscles or skin or the liposuction which is called an abdominoplasty (which if I get it done will cost approx. $5,000). When discussing this all with the authorization person in the plastic surgeons office she said that from all of her experience with anyone that has had the panectomy done they are very unhappy with it. I asked her if the surgeon there would do the panectomy and she said no because he felt it was only doing half the job and he is too much of a perfectionist. She said the scar could be horribly big and may go all the way across my body. The incision closure may not be lined up properly or could still have loose skin. I asked her if she knew of any other plastic surgeons that did the panectomy and she said that she did not and that I should consult with a general surgeon. I am concerned with going to a gen. surgeon because they aren't specially trained in closing the incision to make it look good.
My question I am throwing out there for any and all to reply is... Has anyone out there had a simple panectomy and are they happy with it? Have you seen any pictures of anyone that has had one and did it look ok. It doesn't have to be perfect, just workable. Can anyone direct me to a site that has pictures of panectomy patients?
Help PLEASE! I am at a loss now because my ins will cover this but if it is horribly scaring and will make me look like a freak it may be worth it to see if I can make payments to the surgeon until it is all paid up and then get the full tummy tuck/abdominoplasty done. It would take me a couple of years to pay him, but I might be willing to go that way rather than look horribly disfigured.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!
Thanks all!