Excess Skin Removal Surgery?

[AggieTerr]

I have lost 185 lbs -- i look like a raisin. I have been thinking about a body lift. I really appreciate all the info in this thread. It has given me a lot to think about and I am putting together a list of questions for my Dr.

Please keep posting your progress -- it is very helpful. Good luck to you all!

[cheri]

CJ?

Have you heard anything about your appeal?? Again.. make sure they put in your letters about the bleeding okay? I mentioned this before but wanted to remind you.. I think when you have bleeding they tend to approve it a lot faster.. That mole I had on my lower back the Dermatologist told me that my insurance wouldn't cover it.. Then I happen to say to her "But its right under my jeans and sometimes when I yank them up it gets caught and starts bleeding.. She then looked at me and said "NOW it is covered by insurance"... She told me she is not allowed tell patients that if they mention the bleeding it is covered immediately.. When I got my approval for my tummytuck one of my letters mentioned the bleeding so I am sure that was a plus.. And since yours is bleeding from cracking skin (I think it does it because the skin is stretched and is thinner and more fragile) you need to make sure it is mentioned.

Just wanted to see if you had an update..

cheri

[CJ:)]

I haven't heard anything back from insurance yet. I'm just dealing with the problems, but it's really worrying me because the extra skin is pushing on my legs so much that it makes my legs go numb and there's so much extra skin on my thighs that it pinches and it cutting off that main artery in my leg. The same thing is happening in my arms and I haven't even started to fight for anything on arms or legs...... this is just all for my tummy since that is the worst.

[LunaAshling]

If it's getting worse can your doc retry again the appeal? Or somehow "push" it? Any other specialist you could see that might give the appeal more "weight"?


{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{more hugs and good luck vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[cheri]

You need to go to the doc about the numbness and pinching so he can add that to your appeal.. Since there are other issues cropping up they need to be well documented and your chances of them approving you will be much better.

[CJ:)]

I've been to the ER for it, they couldn't do much, but it's been documented, just waiting now.

[muchrespect812]

my very 1st post....CJ you have done an awesome thing....I'm so happy for you. I work for an insurance company and i will tell you this...a squeaky wheel gets oiled..... Keep pushing...it will happen

[CJ:)]

Thanks

[Monkee]

Is anyone scheduled for surgery or already had surgery?
If so, would you be open to sharing your experience?
Would love to hear from you.

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by Monkee

Is anyone scheduled for surgery or already had surgery?
If so, would you be open to sharing your experience?
Would love to hear from you.

June 16th = Part 1 of 2 - Upper Body

[Emerald]

Originally Posted by Maryposa

June 16th = Part 1 of 2 - Upper Body

Is the part two going to be lower body? What exactly are you getting done? When and what is part two?

[Dovelette]

I had tummy tuck, neck lift and breast lift done in October. Had several complications. Still "suffering" from those complications. BEST thing I've ever done for myself, regardless. Might go back to finish and to a complete lower body lift but still deciding...

[Emerald]

I have read it's best to go with the lower body then upper body. So confusing.

[clmoore]

I think I told in previous posts that I have had the following:

Tummy tuck/Butt Lift last July
Lower face/neck lift/brow lift in December

Scheduled for arm lift with incision only in upper part at arm pit on June 6
Scheduled for inner thigh lift with incision only in upper part at groin area on June 6
Scheduled for breast lift (I'm barely an A cup) with silicone implants on June 6

I have a great surgeon and wonderful results from first two surgeries. No problems and very little discomfort. Was back to work in less than a week to my office manager job for both surgeries.

Lost 120 pounds with gastric bypass and am 5'7" and weigh 140 pounds today.

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by Emerald

Is the part two going to be lower body? What exactly are you getting done? When and what is part two?

Yes part two is lower body. My surgeon said upper body for me first for two reasons... one, my arms bother me more than anything... two, I have less fat left in my upper body than lower body, and he uses fat to reshape the body. If I continue to lose evenly then I won't have enough upper body fat to do nice reshaping if I wait too much longer.

Surgery one is arm lift, bra-line back lift with reverse tummy tuck, and spiral augmentation (upper back fat cut and wrapped into breast area for natural fat augmentation).

Surgery two is tummy tuck (I dont need a lower body lift), reshaping/augmentation of the lower buttocks with my own fat, and thigh lift.

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by Dovelette

I had tummy tuck, neck lift and breast lift done in October. Had several complications. Still "suffering" from those complications. BEST thing I've ever done for myself, regardless. Might go back to finish and to a complete lower body lift but still deciding...

what were your complications? I'm glad that despite your complications you are happy with your decision

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by clmoore

I think I told in previous posts that I have had the following:

Tummy tuck/Butt Lift last July
Lower face/neck lift/brow lift in December

Scheduled for arm lift with incision only in upper part at arm pit on June 6
Scheduled for inner thigh lift with incision only in upper part at groin area on June 6
Scheduled for breast lift (I'm barely an A cup) with silicone implants on June 6

I have a great surgeon and wonderful results from first two surgeries. No problems and very little discomfort. Was back to work in less than a week to my office manager job for both surgeries.

Lost 120 pounds with gastric bypass and am 5'7" and weigh 140 pounds today.

I want to do a necklift too... but my surgeon asked me to wait because he feels I will get more out of the other surgeries and my first surgery is already 5 hours long.

[LunaAshling]

No offense but you all might want to start a new thread on all the work being done... I can't imagine reading all this is making CJ feel any better about her struggle to get her work done.



CJ... any news from your latest appeal?

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by LunaAshling

No offense but you all might want to start a new thread on all the work being done... I can't imagine reading all this is making CJ feel any better about her struggle to get her work done.



CJ... any news from your latest appeal?

i get your point and your concern but the thread originated not as a personal journal but to open discussions about recovery time and amount lost before surgery,etc etc. i too am appealing to insurance for coverage and as most of us here havent had ps yet i don't agree we should start our own threads as we can all learn from eachother. i mean, i have the same questions a?d battles to face. if i happen to have surgery before the op i plan to help answer those questions. unless of course, our discussion really is bumming out the op... which is total speculation. cj please let us know if you agree and would prefer for those of us planning our own surgeries to not discuss it here. in that case i appologize and will still check in on ya.

[CJ:)]

Thanks for the concern, but feel free to chat about your surgeries etc....
Recovery time is different for everyone, so it's good to see what everyone is going through. I sometimes ignore this thread when I don't feel like thinking about my surgery..... the problems are getting worse and my legs and arms are going numb a lot more. I'm trying to avoid more trips to the ER because they can't do anything and I just get slapped with a 100 co-pay.

There's so much extra skin from losing 249 lbs.... just on my belly alone if I measure with the skin hanging there, not being held out, just hanging normally and then I hold the skin up and flatten it out like as if the skin was gone and I measure again. There's a 13" difference around my hips/lower belly from having the skin hanging there and having the skin pulled out of the way. So yeah.... that's a lot of skin..... The "apron" hangs down 7 or 8 inches, folds over and goes back up to my body another 7 or 8 inches too. This definitely isn't cosmetic.....

[Monkee]

Originally Posted by Maryposa

i get your point and your concern but the thread originated not as a personal journal but to open discussions about recovery time and amount lost before surgery,etc etc. i too am appealing to insurance for coverage and as most of us here havent had ps yet i don't agree we should start our own threads as we can all learn from eachother. i mean, i have the same questions a?d battles to face. if i happen to have surgery before the op i plan to help answer those questions. unless of course, our discussion really is bumming out the op... which is total speculation. cj please let us know if you agree and would prefer for those of us planning our own surgeries to not discuss it here. in that case i appologize and will still check in on ya.

I totally 100% agree.
On this part of the board (weight loss surgery) there will be a lot of us who will eventually get to a point where we will need plastic surgery. Some will have to be through savings, others through loans, and the rest through medical coverage and appeal. This thread has lots of good info on all 3 and I personally don't think that new threads need to be started. The original topic is on excess skin and that is what we all face. Like Mary said, had it been a personal journal type of thread I would understand, but it wasn't. Its a general thread and it applies to many individuals. Lots of people have already posted about their surgeries and their experiences good/bad. Some doc names have also been dropped. Overall, its needed info.

I feel for CJ and can only imagine how frustrating it is not to get approval from insurance. It's tough and we'll all, unfortunately, have to go through the same process of trying to get approved at some point. In this case knowledge is power. It should all be kept on this thread. Just my 2 pennies.

[LunaAshling]

I wasn't trying to make anyone mad!

I just figured it must be hard for CJ to read this when so many in a row were posting about how MANY surgeries they had already had or were about to have after CJ's posts of being unable to get the one she needs so badly. I was just cringing reading it and apparently over empathizing "for" her. It read kinda like bragging how many kids you have to your friend who can't get pg. I was just hoping she wasn't feeling hurt by it.

It's only my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. CJ... I didn't mean to "talk" for you, I apologize!

Just ignore me and go back to the regularly scheduled program!

[Maryposa]

you can also compare it to putting a picture of cake as your avi in a low carb forum... hahaaha totally kidding! i couldnt help myself! i am 1000% sure no one is bragging. we are all in the same boat or have been as far as im concerned. i dont think anyone is mad about your comment, im not and i dont think monkee is. the way i see it, cj is in the appeals process, things have been delayed but if she keeps appealing, documenting problems with her doc, and gathering good info on how to 'win' there's a strong possibility it will happen. we all WANT that for her and will help add to her arsenal if we can!! sorry for poor grammar, writing from my phone.

[Maryposa]

cj, i know its hard to deal with. something like itchy armpits from hanging skin might SOUND like a minor problem until you have to live with it day in and day out... and in relation to the other problems, it IS less of a hassle. i too have issues with the stomach skin and noticed my feet turning funny colors when i sit too long. please keep documenting these issues and appealing !!!

[CJ:)]

Luna, you're fine, thanks for thinking of me.

[Maryposa]

Luna, just wanted to say, now that I am not in a hurry and not writing from my phone, if I came across as mad regarding your comment I was not at all. I think it was nice of you to consider CJs feelings... so, just wanted to say "not mad at all" and

[Maryposa]

speaking of insurance/appeals... my doctor sent in pics of my torn bleeding skin (pani) and my arm skin, and a letter about my lower back pain / circulation complaints and itchy/rash-y arms. Well, the good and bad news is that I am in the process of getting hired on permanently / directly instead of contract to the company I work for... which means... insurance change... which means... starting over. My arms are really driving me totally bonkers

The irony is, the Doc said it's not likely they will cover my arms, but I have a better chance with my stomach. My stomach is what tore and bled... BUT on a DAILY (hourly!) basis it does not bother me the way my arms do...

I feel like asking if I can write my OWN letter... I mean, I am not a 50 year old bleach blonde California woman who just wants to look younger. I am someone who has lost over 170 lb over 4 years and the skin is not "bouncing back". Is it really cosmetically appealing to have a huge scar all the way down my inner arm????

The nerve of the insurance telling us this is just cosmetic! Sheesh! Fight, ladies, fight!!

[CJ:)]

You can submit your own letters along with the doctors letters.

[Monkee]

Originally Posted by LunaAshling

I wasn't trying to make anyone mad!

I just figured it must be hard for CJ to read this when so many in a row were posting about how MANY surgeries they had already had or were about to have after CJ's posts of being unable to get the one she needs so badly. I was just cringing reading it and apparently over empathizing "for" her. It read kinda like bragging how many kids you have to your friend who can't get pg. I was just hoping she wasn't feeling hurt by it.

It's only my opinion so take it with a grain of salt. CJ... I didn't mean to "talk" for you, I apologize!

Just ignore me and go back to the regularly scheduled program!

Oh I wasn't mad. LOL. Takes a lot to get me mad and this would not do it. We are all on the same boat. We can all relate to each other. I know the frustrations just as the next. So I sympathize. I just didn't think that there was a need to start a separation from this thread to discuss skin/surgery when it is a very REAL and COMMON result of losing a lot of weight. Losing a ton of weight alone is difficult and a sensitive topic. Add to it the discomfort and issues associated with the excess skin and it can be quite difficult. Being around and talking to those who can relate helps a lot. This is one time when people really should come together. Its tough.

[Maryposa]

Originally Posted by CJ:)

You can submit your own letters along with the doctors letters.

Thanks for letting me know. Are you still appealing or are you taking a break from it all?