Experience with Tummy-Tuck anyone?

[OakLeaf]

I would definitely look into insurance coverage at least for repairing the diastasis recti. They might likely consider other parts of the procedure cosmetic (although if your flap gives you so much irritation, perhaps a dermatologist could sign off too??) - but if you could get the hospital charges and the anaesthesiologist and part of the surgeon covered, that would go a LONG way.

Good luck!

[limewave]

We already looked into insurance. The diastasis recti is considered cosmetic. I was told that since I had lost over 100 pounds, part of the procedure would be covered. But I needed medical documents showing the weight loss. Unfortunately most medical records are destroyed after just 7 years, as I recently learned. I wasn't able to produce a medical document proving I had lost significant weight. Even though I have all sorts of pictures, non-official records, and doctor's willing to give a notarized statement--insurance will not accept that as sufficient evidence

[OakLeaf]

most medical records are destroyed after just 7 years, as I recently learned.

... I used to get older records for my clients all the time. Did you check with hospitals where you were admitted while you were heavy? Sometimes those records will be microfilmed and stored off-site and take longer for them to retrieve, but it would be pretty irresponsible IMO for a hospital to destroy records so quickly ... I think the only times I couldn't get records because of passage of time they were 20 years or more ...

[limewave]

I tried all avenues. Repeated requests, etc. I was told that they were unequivocally destroyed. And I did not have a hospital stay or visit during that tiem period

[Tokie]

I have a friend who lost 185+ lbs via gastric bypass ( more than 1/2 her pre-bypass weight!)Before her weight gain, she was an Olympic class cyclist. She has almost a whole body tuck and is again a strong cyclist and has no complaints. Well, I take that back- I recall that she wished that her breast lift didn't leave her as well endowed as she once was. For her, I seem to recall that the recovery was at least 3 months. You will have scars-but nicer than the loose flesh that is bothering you I imagine.

[limewave]

Update #1, 7 weeks pre-op
We were able to close on financing for the surgery last week. Fortunately I did have some money in savings that I could dedicate to this procedure, but I was short the total amount for the diastasis recti repair, full abdominoplasty, and--since I'm going under anyways, a bilateral brachioplasty. To be honest, my arms have always bothered me more than my tummy. Especially with all the sports I do and tank tops that are required. I know that I will never, ever, ever want to do surgery again if I don't have to and so I'm doing my arms!

I did some online research and read one negative and frightening experience after another so that I nearly backed out. But then I found a few positive ones and that gave me hope. I've decided at this point to stop reading the internet!

Now that my hospital room has been reserved and the down-payment cashed things are getting real. I'm starting to notice all sorts of things that I never paid attention to before. Suddenly the extra skin on my arms and tummy are really bothersome, annoying and uncomfortable no matter what activity I'm doing. I especially notice it when running and biking. Having been overweight my entire life and then having the extra skin--I have no idea what to expect post-op with repaired abdominal muscles and a flat-ish tummy. There are all sorts of core exercises that I have never been able to do no matter how committed I was to making my body do it! I'm curious to see how my running and biking may change. I have chronic IT band and lower back issues and I wonder if having a stronger core (my abdominal muscles in the correct place) will help correct that? I don't know.

This is the first update. I may do one more pre-op.

[Catrin]

Hang in there Limewave! As someone who has lost close to 100 lbs and have already have two major stomach surgeries I certainly understand why you want to do this. Do let us know how things progress!