Pannilectomy

Hello, I was wondering if anyone out there has considered or has been talk to about having a pannilectomy before reaching goal. My surgeon told me that he would start the process once I reached about 300 lbs. I had a pannilectomy about 5 years ago and despoerately need to have another one. Just wondering if this has been a consideration of anyone else in the group. Thanks. Jeanne

Dear Jeanne, I am looking into a tummy tuck but once I reach goal. There is a difference in the surgeries, so you might need a pannilectomy before reaching goal. That might help a lot if you have back problems--and it would be that much more weight off! Good luck, Sally

Yes, my surgeon has referred me to a PS to see about getting the ball rolling. I am waiting to hear back from his office about an appointment. If I have my way I would like to do it in May this year, when the semester is over. I should be below 300 by then. (I am about 320 now.) I know that by goal I will not be "nice and tight" but there will be lots of places on me that are not "nice and tight," lol. That will be a matter for possible further PS down the road. I just need to get this pannis taken care of. I have not had a lot of skin issues, but it is the most serious hindrance to my mobility at this point. It's just plain in the way. Pressure on it, like from my legs when walking, also causes shortness of breath. I have already lost over 300 lbs. so you can imagine how significant it is.

Hey, I'm curious too! How long do you have to be in the hospital? And does anyone know if Medicare and Medicaid will cover the entire bill? I am 280 now and would like to lose about 50 more pounds first, if I can. Deb in GA 400\280\200

The PS's office initially told me that he would not do it until my weight had stablized (at goal presumably) for a year. They also said that they did not accept Medicaid on panniculectomies. However, when I explained my reasoning on wanting to do it now and that my RNY surgeon (they work together) was supportive of sooner rather than later and the medical neccessity, they seemed to get on board. They are supposed to be confering with my surgeon's nurse practioner and getting back with me. I am on Medicaid. I am hoping and praying that they will cover it. The PS office did not say that they didn't COVER it, just that they didn't ACCEPT it for panni's. That is a concern, but I really hoping for the medical neccessity issue to be enough. I don't know about Medicare, but Texas Medicaid can be a problem. They didn't cover the RNY. Medicaid varies a lot state by state. If Medicaid will cover it, but the surgeon won't do it, I will surgeon shop.

Debra: I had my first panni in 2004. I was 450 lbs. at that time and my pannis was just annoying. I chose the surgeon only to find out that he didn't accept insurance and my company has a pretty good plan as far as managed care goes. Bottom line he removed almost 50 lbs. (flesh and fluid, mostly fluid). I gained all the weight back and then had the GBS. I had no pain from the operation. My drains came out in 2 weeks. The most uncomfortable thing was sleeping sitting up as I am a side sleeper and the drains were on both sides. The operation cost me $20,000. My surgeon from the WLS told me that he would push my insurance company to allow me to have another one. I want to be at 300 or under before I have it. This time I will not gain the weight back. I was in the hospital a little over a day, including the operation day. Good luck. Hope your PS accepts M & M. Congratulations on the tremendous weight loss. I am praying to get to the twos before my 1st year anniversary in 5 months. Jeanne

Dear Deb - I may be overstepping my bounds here, but I feel led to intervene. There is a gal on this board named Renee Brooks, I think that is her last name. Anyway, I believe she is also from GA and is on Medicaid/Medicare. She has been unable to find a surgeon who will take M & M to do WLS. She really needs someone to help her and give her some guidance. If you could, and desire to get involved, could you contact her? Perhaps you have some of the information that she needs. She has been turned down several times, but I don't know if she is being turned down by doctors because she has too many life-threatening co-morbidities and surgery would not be safe or whether she is being turned down by M & M. Please pray about it. Congratulations on your weight loss. Karen

Here in Texas Medicaid doesn't cover WLS at all. (Although I understand that Medicare does.) We have gotten Texas Rehabilitation to agree to cover it for my daughter though. Perhaps your friend would be eligible for something like that in Ga.