When you have weight loss surgery, such as gastric bypass or some form of gastric banding, you will lose weight. Many lose a lot of weight. But this massive weight loss can bring problems of its own.
One issue you may face is being left with large folds of excess skin. These can accumulate and hang in various areas, including your face, neck, breasts, upper and lower abdomen, flanks, armpit, back, buttocks, arms, forearms, thighs, legs, and calves. This extra skin can cause considerable hygiene problems, skin irritation, skin breakdown, pain and infection.
This kind of rapid weight loss may also not be evenly spread around your body, which can lead to another problem -- localized pockets of unsightly fat tissue. Whether this happens depends on your type of obesity condition and your body type.
There are various plastic surgery procedures that can help to reshape the normal structures of your body in order to improve your appearance and self-esteem, but keep in mind that plastic surgery is not an easy option. Mostly, it involves exchanging one cosmetic problem (loose skin) for another (scars). These procedures can be costly and, as with all surgeries, there are risks. Your doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of plastic surgery and help you decide if it is right for you.
Cost of Plastic Surgery Procedures
The price of bariatric-related plastic surgery procedures can vary significantly, depending on several factors:
• Your condition
• Complicating factors
• The plastic surgeon
• The hospital chosen
• The type of anesthesia
• Complications arising
The full cost of your plastic surgery procedure is unlikely to become clear until after you have been examined by your surgeon, and your individual requirements and needs are determined. Even then, you may need follow-up procedures after your plastic surgery.
The main elements in the total price of your plastic surgery procedures include:
• Surgeon's fee
• Anesthesiologist's fee
• Operating room fee
• Hospital costs
Average Fees of Plastic Surgeons
The U.S. national average for surgeon fees for selected plastic surgery procedures are:
• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck) – $4,827
• Arm lift (Brachioplasty) – $3,299
• Body lift (Circumferential Panniculectomy) – $7,874
• Breast lift (Mastopexy) – $3,965
• Breast reduction (women) – $5,351
• Buttock lift – $4,793
• Face lift – $5,966
• Forehead lift – $3,065
• Male breast reduction (Gynecomastia) – $3,124
• Liposuction (Lipoplasty) – $2,578
• Thigh lift (Thighplasty) – $4,308
Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Health Insurance Coverage for Plastic Surgery Procedures
Reconstructive plastic surgery procedures are typically covered by health insurance if performed for medical reasons. Cosmetic plastic procedures - operations performed for "cosmetic" reasons - typically are not covered.
Fees vary by region. Surgery fees are usually higher in urban areas like Boston, New York and other Eastern seaboard cities. Overhead is higher in such areas, and surgeons are in greater demand in more densely populated areas. The highest cost region is in the northeast U.S., followed by the West Coast, then the central and southern states. Top surgeons in every region typically demand - and receive - higher fees. They are often more skilled, have performed more surgeries and have a better record of successful results.
Health Insurance Coverage for Bariatric Surgery Procedures
Healthcare providers including Medicare and, in some states, Medicaid, are beginning to cover some or all of the costs of surgery for obesity if medical necessity is established by your doctor and if you meet the National Institutes of Health requirements.
Most cases of chronic morbid obesity (especially with a body mass index above 40) are covered if your doctor informs the insurance company that the surgery is medically necessary and provides appropriate documentation, including records of your doctor-supervised attempts to lose weight such as drug therapy and group therapy. Coverage is also more likely if your doctor demonstrates that you suffer co-morbidities such as diabetes or heart disease.
Your doctor can help you put together a strong case that will improve your chances of weight-loss surgery insurance coverage. Coverage will vary among insurance carriers. If the initial attempt to authorize coverage is denied, you can appeal the decision; you should initiate your appeal immediately.
Aftercare insurance reimbursements for a dietitian, psychologist, exercise program and nutritional supplements such as B12 injections may be minimal, if covered at all.
Plastic Surgeons at DeKalb Medical
Click this link to see a list of Plastic Surgeons at DeKalb Medical who work with the DeKalb Medical Surgical Weight Loss program. For more information about plastic surgery after surgical weight loss, call 404.501.7903. |