Question about when to do plastic surgery - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

minime · 03-18-2006, 07:38 PM

Hi,

I thought that most doctors want you to wait a year after WLS to have plastic surgery. I may be misreading, but it seems to me that most folks don't wait that long. I need a breast lift and tummy tuck for sure. Could probably use upper body lift as well. I paid for my WLS on my own. Insurance wouldn't even consider it. There was a clause in the policy. I really don't have any health problems from the excess skin like chafing or rashes. I suppose there is no way that insurance will pay for any of the plastics either. I will ask for sure though.

Have any of you had plastics paid for even though you had no health problems with the excess skin. I do get rashes in the summer time, but they are easily taken care of with ointments and stuff. I have migraines, but no back pain or anything from my humongous breasts. Are there any loopholes that I'm not seeing?

I started teaching school two years ago. Last summer was my first "summer" from school so to speak and I spent it having WLS surgery and recovering. I really want to spend this summer relaxing and playing with my boys. Do you think that I'll be ready for plastic surgery by Christmas. Is a breast lift or tummy tuck something that I can recover from over Christmas break? 2 weeks. I've heard that an upper body lift can take a month to recover from.

I'm sort of tired of recovering. I may live with the excess skin for as long as I can.

Thanks,

Minime

eyesthatkissu · 03-18-2006, 08:35 PM

No no no.... the excess skin gives you TERRIBLE rashes.... and NOTHING helps.... (if you want insurance to cover it ) Most plastic surgeons want you to have maintained the same weight for six months before plastic surgery. I'm sure there are ways around that if you think you should...

Blueyz · 03-18-2006, 11:14 PM

I would recommend waiting until after a year out. I had various surgeries and lost more weight afterward, so I ended up with more loose skin. I had the TT with hernia repair before one year out because I HAD to repair the hernia and Dr. C gave me the ok since I was at goal.

Mavisavis · 03-19-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyesthatkissu

No no no.... the excess skin gives you TERRIBLE rashes.... and NOTHING helps.... (if you want insurance to cover it ) Most plastic surgeons want you to have maintained the same weight for six months before plastic surgery. I'm sure there are ways around that if you think you should...

LOL.......do they all want pics and proof by docs or do you think I could just complain to my doc and have her note it? I'm sure she would do that for me as long as she didn't have to lie and say she saw it, but just write "patient reports problems with blah blah blah." I want boobs and TT, so I will have to pay something.....but it would be great if I could get insurance to pick up at least a piece of it. Anyone do this without pics and proof?

peggerie110 · 03-19-2006, 02:23 PM

You can always try donating your skin to a burn unit, I've heard that's one way to get a tummy tuck for free. I can't say I've tried it yet.

Peg

bridgetgirl · 03-19-2006, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peggerie110

You can always try donating your skin to a burn unit, I've heard that's one way to get a tummy tuck for free. I can't say I've tried it yet.

Peg

There is a myth, and simply not true.

I had a tummy tuck 9 months post op, I had been at goal for 3 onths and had no desire to lose anymore. blue cross paid for a tummy tuck and thigh lift, I had no prior history of problems. My plastic surgeon wrote everything up and submitted with pics. I couldnt get the boob lift or arm tuck approved. Wait until you are at your goal definitely.

Mavisavis · 03-19-2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bridgetgirl

There is a myth, and simply not true.

I had a tummy tuck 9 months post op, I had been at goal for 3 onths and had no desire to lose anymore. blue cross paid for a tummy tuck and thigh lift, I had no prior history of problems. My plastic surgeon wrote everything up and submitted with pics. I couldnt get the boob lift or arm tuck approved. Wait until you are at your goal definitely.

Well, I guess at my next pcp appointment..........I should be close to a year out, and will ask her. I have BC/BS also, so it's worth a try. I know I'll have to pay for my new boobs.

Brooke220 · 03-19-2006, 05:47 PM

Well, as far as I know, Duke does use the excess skin (so they'll do it for nothing or a nominal fee) for their burn patients. It's the only place in my region that does it as far as I know.

Mavisavis · 03-19-2006, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooke220

Well, as far as I know, Duke does use the excess skin (so they'll do it for nothing or a nominal fee) for their burn patients. It's the only place in my region that does it as far as I know.

I was told also that this was an urban legend and that because of the loss of elasticity that the skin is really not viable. Boy how I wish this were true. What about being a Guinea Pig for a new doc?

karenwd · 03-19-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooke220

Well, as far as I know, Duke does use the excess skin (so they'll do it for nothing or a nominal fee) for their burn patients. It's the only place in my region that does it as far as I know.

Brooke, I went through Duke WLS Center to have my gastric bypass. They do them at Durham Regional, which is part of the Duke Health System. I will ask them there if they know anything about this -- the WLS Center is actually in the same building as the plastic surgery clinic. It would be wonderful if they would do this. Where in Virginia are you? I am in Danville.