Tummy tucks are performed to correct excess skin in the abdominal area and improve the appearance of the lower abdomen. The procedure can also be used to remove excess fat deposits or scars, which are common after a significant weight loss. A tummy tuck is often recommended for people who have undergone massive weight loss or pregnancy, since it can help restore their pre-pregnancy shape.
When undergoing a tummy tuck, surgeons will remove excess skin from the lower abdomen and tighten muscles that support your abdomen. They will also tighten weak connective tissue between muscles and fat deposits beneath them (also known as “bridging”). After surgery, patients may have their incision sites closed using stitches or staples; these will be removed at a follow-up visit several days later. The results of a tummy tuck can be dramatic—many patients say they feel like new people after surgery! However, there are some risks associated with this procedure: infection (1%), bleeding (1%), seroma formation (5%).
You may find it hard to access the right information on the internet, so we are here to help you in the following article, providing the best and updated information on Blue cross blue shield tummy tuck, how to get a tummy tuck paid for by insurance. Read on to learn more. We at cosmeticsurgerytips have all the information that you need about panniculectomy. Read on to learn more.
One of the fallouts of weight loss surgery for some patients is the appearance of loose or hanging skin in certain areas of the body. Fortunately, this condition can be successfully corrected with skin removal plastic surgery. Many patients want to know how to get insurance to cover skin removal or is skin removal surgery after weight loss covered by insurance. In this guide, let us look when Blue Cross Blue Shield skin removal surgery may be covered for patients who have had bariatric surgery.
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Will insurance cover skin removal after weight loss
Yes, insurance will cover skin removal after weight loss surgery when certain conditions are fulfilled. Leading insurance providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield cover plastic surgery procedures when these are performed as a medical necessity, and not for cosmetic reasons. If you are wondering does insurance cover skin removal surgery, here are some of the typical criteria that should be met to obtain this coverage.
- Weight loss: In general, your insurance company may consider your request for coverage for skin removal surgery if you have lost at least 100 lbs. of excess body weight. This massive weight loss may take place gradually over one to two years following your bariatric surgery.
- Stable weight: The insurance provider will look at how long your body weight has remained stable following your weight loss. You should have maintained a stable body weight for at least six months (not gained or lost significant weight in this period) to meet this qualifying criterion.
- Date of surgery: You should know when does insurance cover plastic surgery after bariatric surgery? The answer is: at least one year. In general, to be eligible for insurance coverage for skin removal surgery, at least one year should have passed from the date of your weight loss surgery.
- Skin concerns: If the excess skin is causing fungal infection, ulcerations, rashes, chafing or pain and discomfort, and your primary care physician recommends skin removal surgery, you may qualify for insurance coverage. You will be required to submit documentation with your application.
- Body areas: Does insurance cover skin removal after gastric sleeve or gastric bypass for all body areas? No. The most common area that is usually covered for skin removal surgery is the lower abdomen. Apron-like skin (pannus) may hang down in this area, which can be surgically removed.
Blue cross blue shield skin removal surgery
To know how to get insurance to cover skin removal surgery after weight loss, it is best to speak to your insurance company representative. Every major insurance provider may have slightly different requirements for this coverage. Blue Cross Blue Shield skin removal surgery coverage is usually restricted to panniculectomy procedure, which involves surgical removal of excess skin from the lower abdominal area.
Criteria for coverage may include:
- The pannus (loose skin in the lower abdomen) hangs at or below the pubic line.
- The excess skin is causing dermatitis, skin ulcers, or cellulitis, which has not responded to non-invasive treatments for minimum three months.
- You are suffering from a functional impairment because of excess skin, which can be improved with panniculectomy.
- The time gap between your weight loss surgery and skin removal surgery (panniculectomy) should be at least 18 months.
- Your body weight should have remained stable in the last six months prior to your scheduled skin removal surgery.
- A condition called diastatis recti (“pooch belly”) which occurs because of loose abdominal muscles will not be covered by insurance.
- To obtain coverage for Blue Cross Blue Shield for skin removal surgery, you will have to submit relevant medical records and/or operative reports, copies of medical consultations, photographs, and other necessary information that support your claim.
Does blue cross blue shield cover plastic surgery?
Yes, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers certain plastic surgery procedures as long as the procedure is performed as a medical necessity. However, before going ahead with your surgery, you should ask the company’s representative about how to get insurance to cover skin removal or another type of plastic surgery procedure.
In general, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers plastic surgery for the following procedures:
- Reconstructive plastic surgery that is performed to correct deformities of the body or face caused due to injury, illness, developmental abnormality, or birth defects.
- Breast reconstruction, septoplasty (nose surgery), cleft palate and cleft lip surgery, and hand reconstructive surgery are some of the commonly covered procedures.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield for skin removal surgery is covered if it is performed as a medical necessity.
- Breast reduction and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) plastic surgeries are covered if the excess skin is causing significant medical concerns or functional impairment.
- Facelift or facial plastic surgery is covered if it is performed to recover from a burn injury.
- Breast revision surgery performed because of painful contractures following breast augmentation may be covered.
- Rhinoplasty is covered by insurance to treat post-traumatic nasal damage or a birth-related nasal defect or deformity.
- Hair transplant surgery is covered if the permanent hair loss occurred due to trauma, illness, or a previous treatment.
Board certified tummy tuck surgeons
A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure in which Dr. Bloch removes excess skin from your abdomen and tightens muscles and skin to give you more desirable body contours. Tummy tucks reduce:
- Loose skin
- Sagging skin
- Separated abdominal muscles
- Fat bulges
Dr. Bloch lets you know if a mini or full tummy tuck is right for you based on your health, the condition of your stomach, and your desired result.
Is a tummy tuck right for me?
To determine if a tummy tuck is right for you, Dr. Bloch reviews your medical history and completes a physical exam. He makes sure you have realistic expectations and can make the time commitment needed for a full recovery.
You must be in good health and at or near an ideal body weight prior to the procedure. Dr. Bloch can perform additional cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation, breast lift, or liposuction, at the same time as a tummy tuck.
How should I prepare for my procedure?
To prepare for a tummy tuck, follow Dr. Bloch’s instructions. Avoid taking certain medications, stop smoking, and maintain a stable body weight. Arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you the first night after the procedure.
What happens during a tummy tuck?
Right before a tummy tuck, you receive general anesthesia to put you asleep. Dr. Bloch makes an incision in your lower abdominal area. He removes tissue, tightens muscles and skin, and may create a new belly button for you.
Dr. Bloch might place tiny tubes in your abdomen temporarily to drain excess fluid or blood. The procedure can last two to three hours, or longer if you opt for additional cosmetic procedures.
What should I expect after surgery?
After surgery, you recover in a relaxing room while the anesthesia wears off. You can usually go home the day of surgery but must have someone drive you home.
Take medications as prescribed by Dr. Bloch and keep the treatment area clean. Begin walking around when he says it’s okay. Wear a supportive garment, or abdominal binder, for a month or two after surgery.
Attend routine follow-up appointments at Body By Bloch to monitor your progress and get the drains removed. Swelling subsides over time, yielding a slimmer midsection. Results are long-lasting if you maintain a healthy weight.
Don’t live with loose, sagging skin or a protruding belly if it makes you feel less than beautiful. Schedule a tummy tuck consultation with Body By Bloch over the phone or online today.
Panniculectomy
A panniculectomy is a surgical procedure to remove excess hanging skin and fat called a pannus or “apron” from the lower abdomen after a big weight loss.
A panniculectomy isn’t a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), a procedure done for cosmetic and aesthetic reasons. Instead, it’s a surgery done to remove hanging skin that may cover your thighs and genitals to improve your health and appearance.
Why do Panniculectomy Surgery?
Because of bariatric surgery or other drastic weight loss methods, you may need panniculectomy surgery to remove excess skin. The excess skin can hang over your back, thighs, genital area, and extend as low as your knees, interfering with your daily activities such as, walking, standing, and sitting.
To avoid serious health problems, such as skin infections, back problems (due to weight and posture issues), rashes due to chafing, ulcers, and abscesses, you may need to undergo panniculectomy surgery.https://5f49de2405c563548abf7250c81ae84d.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
You are a candidate for Panniculectomy if:
- You are not suffering from uncontrolled cardiac disease, lung disease, or diabetes.
- You are a nonsmoker as cigarettes affect blood supply and wound healing.
- You are in good health but have overhanging skin that is interfering with your daily activities.
- Your weight has been stable for more than 6 months.
- You have medical symptoms from your excess abdominal apron or persistent rashes or infections underneath the hanging fold of skin.
Complications and Risk of Panniculectomy Surgery
To undergo panniculectomy surgery requires you to weigh the benefits of the procedure and the risks involved. Some of the risks are:
- Anesthesia risks such as reaction to medicines, breathing problems, bleeding, blood clots, or infection
- Fluid buildup under the skin (seroma)
- Poor healing of the skin
- Skin loss and scarring
- Tissue death
- Prolonged swelling
- Nerve damage that may cause changes to the sense of touch on your skin
- Constant pain
- Your skin may loosen again and you may have to redo the surgery
- Skin discoloration
Preparing for Panniculectomy Procedure
When preparing for panniculectomy surgery:
Be open about your medical history to your surgeon. Let them know if you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Beware of certain medications. Your surgeon can suggest that you avoid taking herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory drugs, which may increase bleeding and make it hard for your blood to clot.
Avoid smoking. If you do, your surgeon may ask you to stop smoking to increase your chances of healing fast as smoking slows down wound healing.
Performing the Procedure
The procedure involves:
Anesthesia. You will receive intravenous or general anesthesia to ensure that you are asleep, at ease, and don’t feel pain during the procedure. Your surgeon will suggest the best choice for you.
Incision. Your surgeon will cut an incision from under your breastbone to just above your pelvic bone.
Closing the incisions. In your lower belly, just above the pubic area, your surgeon will cut you horizontally depending on the amount of overhanging skin. In some instances, a vertical incision is necessary for persons who have excess skin in the transverse dimension.
After the incision, the surgeon will remove the excess skin and fat, and close your cut by stitching the skin together. The procedure might require small tubes called drains, inserted to allow blood or fluids that may collect to drain out. Over your abdomen, a dressing will be placed to cover the wound area.
Recovering after the Panniculectomy Procedure
It will take several weeks for the swelling to reduce. After the surgery, you can stay at the hospital for about two days or longer depending on how complex the surgery was. Your doctor will give you painkillers since after the surgery you will feel pain that can last for days.
Do not panic if you experience numbness, bruising, and tiredness during this time. Your surgeon may encourage you to wear elastic support after a day or so to provide you with extra support as you heal. Within a week or two, you should be able to stand comfortably.
Avoid activities that might put pressure on your wound for the next 4 to 6 weeks. It will take about 3 months for the swelling on your wound to go down, but up to 2 years to see the result of your surgery.
For people who have undergone cesarean section (c-section), the existing scars can be integrated into the new scars. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience shortness of breath, unusual heartbeats, or chest pains when you are home. If you experience any of these symptoms you may have to be hospitalized for additional treatment. Follow your surgeon’s instruction on how to take care of yourself for a successful recovery.