Question:
Help me, has anyone else gone through hernia repair & plastics
— Kristee (posted on August 4, 2004)
August 3, 2004
I waited over 17 months from diagnois to 'fix' on my hernia. BUT everyone
is different and hernia's are too. I would see how your appeal goes - at
least for the TT - I doubt you would get all you askef for approved
espeically the arms. If you dont get the TT approved; then go ahead with
the hernia. There are people (we had one lady in our group) that had her
hernia fixed 6 months post... it depends on your hernia..
— star .
August 4, 2004
I recommed waiting until you can do both surgeries together. I had an
abdominalplasty/panniculectomy and 2 hernias repaired 6 1/2 weeks ago and
it is very painful and a very slow healing process. I cannot imagine
having to go through this 2 seperate times. I am glad it was all done at
the same time.
— lmonroeny
August 4, 2004
Hi I lived with my hernia for the last 20 months. I babied it along - I
wore support hose over my stomach to help hold him in and I was very
careful about lifting and reaching. My INS would not approved any skin
removal until 18 months post-op RNY. After the 18 months the TT was
approved and I just came home from the hospital a few hours ago. I had the
hernia repair and TT on Monday. Check out my profile I've got a lot of my
story of "Life with Hermie" in there. As far as the other
plastics you wanted most of these are not covered. Check with your INS and
see if they will be more likely to approve after a certain amount of time
has passed. I was in this same position months ago when everyone was
concerned about my hernia and I wanted to wait.
— jocelyn
August 4, 2004
The ideal time to have your PS is after your weight loss stops/stabilizes,
however, if your hernia is causing you distress, this might not be right
for you. I would continue your appeals and see what happens as far as the
PS. See if you can wait for the hernia repair for the few weeks that it
takes to finish the appeals. I have a strong feeling that you may
eventually get the TT, but it is rare to get the other surgeries approved.
Although having the discomfort of healing twice isn't wonderful, I would
think it would be worth it to get the maximum result from the PS. It would
serve the insurance company right to have to pay for 2 separate surgeries
rather than combining them. I am having my TT and hernia repair on 8/17.
I was denied for the TT at first, appealed twice, then went to an external
review through the State of NY Dept of Insurance. Check out my profile for
details. My PS says it is criminal that the insurance companies approve
the WLS, then play games with the TT approvals. They know darn well that
the extra skin is a side effect of the WLS and should finish the job.
Best of luck!!
— Fixnmyself
August 5, 2004
I suffered with a 9" hernia for over a year, and was constantly
miserable with it - it was from something other than my lap RNY. We all
knew about it before my WLS, and I babied it for nearly a year... until I
ended up having emergency surgery from NOT the doc of my choice, in the
middle of the night, when I was totally unprepared for it. I still go my
plastics- a belt lipectomy - when i needed it, too, totally covered. If you
are in pain, get the hernia taken care of now. It is a medical problem that
can only get worse. As you lose more and more, keep documenting the rashes,
back problems, etc. And after you have the hernias repaired, it doesn't
exactly mean you are out of the woods for them in the future - getting that
extra skin off will help prevent hernias in the future too. Another reason
for the insurance to approve. Seek out a surgeon who is compassionate and
willing to fight for you. Mine did.
— kultgirl
August 5, 2004
Hi Kristee, I also had hernia repair. My Insurance denied the TT plastics
part. But with the problems I had with the hernia I really couldn't put it
off. I had 2 surgeries in July on my hernia. I feel good and pleased with
the results. Not a flat tummy by any means, but livable for now. I have
dropped 2 sizes in jeans already. Last surgery was July 21. I will work on
my tummy myself but do not expect to fight Ins for plastics. Guessed it was
something I could live with, seeing as I lived with the way it was before
WLS. It really isnt that bad for me. If you find later it is too bad then,
keep notes and take pics often. Alot of people have copies of their appeals
here. Good luck to whatever you decide. Patricia 314/167
— pateblkbrn
Click Here to Return