Need insurance help to take the plundge

I never thought I would decide on plastic surgery. I was so happy to have lost what I did. It made my life so much better. But the drooping skin is causing all kinds of issues and pain as well. So I am not seriously thinking of a lower body lift.
I would really appreciate hearing from those that were able to get help from their insurance company-how did you do that? For those that paid, what I can expect the out of pocket costs to be. Thanks so much for all the help. Joteddie

My insurance covered everything - I know I was VERY fortunate.

I documented everything: every single day that the folds itched or smelled bad or my navel had issues; I made frequent calls to my PCP (I had told him what I was doing, and that this would happen).

But I also wound up with a torn/chronically pulled chest wall muscle that would not heal without breast lift/reduction and brachioplasty according to the breast specialist at my gyny.

I got letters from all specialists I had seen detailing their prognosis.

It took about 6 weeks for the insurance company to make their decision, but I heard informally that it was the piles of data from my PCP and the specialists that tipped the balance.

I guess the best advice would be to check with your insurance company about reconstructive surgery (do not mention plastics - they consider that vanity. Reconstruction is medical in their lexicon) to see what they cover and under what cir****tances. Then start making noises to your physicians and documenting everything.

Best of luck with it!

No Insurance for me but I don't care. Some make car payments, I'm making ME payments and I'll last longer than a car.

So November 8th I'm having a circumferential lift/brachioplasty with 1 overnight stay
10,021,00

Breast lift/Saline implants and Bilateral Thighplasty with 1 overnight stay
12,758,00 (NEXT YEAR)

I live in Indiana.

Juve, that's a very good way of looking at it. I never thought twice about student loans for school or a car payment...but I refused i finance any part of the reconstructive surgery.

Op, I saved and paid for th brachio out of pocket...that was just 3800.

However eventually I'd like either a lower body lift or a tummy tuck and small implants. I'm determined to pay out out of pocket (will have to wait a few yrs)...but I only lost 100 pds, so the skin isn't that bad. The worst was my arms. For people who have lost 150+, the damage is worse and that skin can cause a lot of heartache and physical pain/discomfort. Mine really IS vanity...it's not effecting my life, so I can wait. If your skin is bad enough that it's effecting your life, I'd finance it.

Depending on the insurance company, there may be a chance if you really are having issues.  The big thing is documentation.  If you really are having "functional impairments"....recurrent skin infections, impaired mobility, etc., then there is a chance of having that considered "reconstructive".  Find a Dr. who gets it and be sure and report and document everything.