Question:
Anyone in the CO area know a plastic surgeon that accepts insurance instead

of cash payments only? The reason I ask, is because , recently in my Surgeons office, we were discussing a TT. I asked him if he was seeing many of his patients get approval for a TT through their insurance, and he stated that many plastic surgeons are only accepting cash payments. Not something I can do. Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!:)    — Carey N. (posted on June 27, 2002)

June 27, 2002
First, if your WLS surgeon has a support group, ask there. There's usually someone with a recommendation. If that doesn't work, and your insurance co. has a website, sometimes you can do a search for a specialist that way. My advice would be to set up consults with at least 3 plastic surgeons who accept your insurance (if you can find that many), and when setting up the appointments, be sure to ask if they have any experience operating on people with massive weight loss. Ask as many questions as you can while setting up the consultation appointment, so if you're not happy with the answers, you can save yourself some time and money. But, even before doing that, you might want to call your ins. co. and ask if they will cover several consultations with a "specialist." I have a PPO, and only have to pay my $20 co-pay for each in-network doc consultation. I think if you don't have a personal recommendation for anyone, this is the next best way to find one. Also, at the consultation, ask if there are any patients of theirs that you can call to talk to. Be aware that often the photos you are shown are "stock" or generic photos, and not necessarily their own work, so ask about that, too. Remember, plastic surgeons see themselves as the prima-donnas of the surgery world, and you are hiring them for a job, so if you're not comfortable with the answers to your questions, move on! Good luck.
   — Leslie F.