There is the other option of panniculectomy as mentioned above. That would be the removal of the excess skin and is a much easier recovery than the full abdominoplasty.

I have even seen cases of panniculectomy paid for by the insurance companies if there was a rash problem underneath the excess skin. Sometimes the docs can then prove the procedure is medically indicated and you would not have to pay a lot for it in this case.

I am seriously considering a tummy tuck. Following 2 c-sections, my lower belly skin just isn't disappearing. I'm expecting it to be painful, I would love to know about the actual cost of the procedure. This paneculectomy may also be an option for me. My main concern is not so much to have a firm belly, but more to get rid of the extra hanging skin.

BTW: I'd love to see those Before/After pictures too.

My insurance covered my surgery. Since my out of pocket for the year was met and coverage was at 100% all I ended up paying was the $10.00 copay for the consultation. I will bring my pics to work monday and see if I can scan them and get them on here.

I would love to see the befores and afters of anyone that would be willing to share them.

Kat

There are a lot of before and after pictures on the web -- just Google "tummy tuck before and after".

The scar is pretty significant...

Tommy: Why was your tummy tuck considered medically necessary and covered by insurance?

true, but well well worth it. Would you rather have a flat stomach and a scar, or nasty hanging empty loose skin and no scar? Ill take the scar.. and i did.

I saw my doctor last Thursday. I unfortunately have a hernia. The hernia is from the top of my belly button, to just under my rib cage. Below my belly button I am toning (I have loose skin, but it is getting smaller). Above the belly button I look like I'm 6 months pregnant. My doctor said I should wait until I get down into the 120's and she'd try to hook me up to get the hernia repaired and an abdominoplasty. Ya Hoo!!

I already have a scar from my c-sections. It's not like anyone will be seeing that area anyway. I'd definately rather have a flat stomach.

Camaromom: "My doctor said I should wait until I get down into the 120's and she'd try to hook me up to get the hernia repaired and an abdominoplasty. Ya Hoo!!" If that's not some major motivation, I don't know what is..

I dont know what the doctor submitted in his request for pre-determination to my insurance. What I had told him that I think helped in aproval, not lies either, with my first pregnancy I had toxemia which is dangerous high blood preasure and it was still a little high, with my second I had gestational diabetes. My mother has high blood preasure, insuline dependant diabeties and heart disease. I complained of "raw and irratited skin" in the fold under that hangin fat. It seamed like my c-section scar wouldnt completly heal. My doctor was as shocked as I was that it was approved. Maybe the reviewer at my insurance was behind and just said ok.
As for the scar, it is much longer than the c-section scar but it has healed so nicely and you wouldnt be able to see it if all I had on was string bikini, which will never happen though hahahahahaha. I believe I had a VERY good doctor.

O.K. I put them on here.