Question:
Has anyone had reconstructive surgery on their thighs?
I have a huge amount of excess skin and flab on my upper thighs. I'm looking for information on reconstructive surgery for this, what would constitute it being medically necessary. Has anyone been able to get insurance to pay for this type of surgery? Thanks for your input! — [Anonymous] (posted on August 9, 2001)
August 9, 2001
Jill Sokol is at this web site e-mail her. She had thighs sone in April
this year. I know she wouldn't mind answering your questions.
— Donna M.
August 9, 2001
Hi -- I just had my thigh lift last Friday -- along with the brachioplasty
(arms). The surgery itself took a long time (8 hours), and I ended up
having to stay in the hospital overnight because I had a tough time waking
up! So they wouldn't let me go home. But I did go home on Saturday
morning -- kept my legs and arms elevated -- and it was a piece of cake --
since there were no muscles involved. Unfortunately, I could not get the
insurance to pay. I didn't appeal the thigh lift because the doctor said
they probably wouldn't pay, but I am appealing their denial of my
abdominoplasty. If you have more questions, don't hesitate to ask.
— Audrey M.
August 9, 2001
Did I hear my name mentioned? Donna might think she can bandy my name
about because I'll be her angel next week, but I'll allow it since we've
been friends for 33 years -- most of them long distance!
I have had my thighplasty done (and Donna saw them at her consult which was
my first outting and a sprang a leak and wet the chair, pants and even
filled my shoes in a restaurant). The thighs are not quite the piece of
cake the previous poster thinks (although hopefully she will continue w/o
some of the frequent complications). I speak from experience as I have had
my arms done (that is a piece of cake), breasts & underarm,
abdominoplasty, eyes and neck (and implants too). Will be finishing up
with the rest of a lower body/outter thigh lift later this year. The
thighs are hard (many PSs won't even do them because of the frequent
aftercare problems) because of drainage/infection problems due to the
lymphatic system. I personally was on 5 different courses of antibiodics,
numerous visits to the PS for draining and follow-up and, of course, the
interminable post-op instruction to "keep your feet up". It's
hard to have a life when this goes on for 2 months. However, I'm hear to
tell you that I'd do it again as it was totally worth it. My PS removed 6
lbs of skin and I look great. This is NOT the kind of procedure you want
to go to Mexico or Costa Rico for, as follow up is critical (one week I saw
my PS every day). Re insurance: my arms, breast reduction (same as lift
except for insurance coding) and abdominoplasty were paid for by insurance
based on the Plastic Surgery Postition Paper of '94 which states it should
be covered after MASSIVE WEIGHT LOSS TO REDUCE REDUNDANT SKIN TO ATTAIN A
NORMAL APPEARANCE. My thighs SHOULD have been covered but were rejected
and due to time/new job pressures, I did not appeal. I would suggest you
do if needed. Since I have time now to get the lower body covered, you
better believe I will make sure that insurance pays. Eyes, neck and
implants are cosmetic and were self pay, of course. Good luck.
— Jill L.
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