Any ways to get inexpensive but safe skin removal surgery?

LifeReinvented
LifeReinvented Posts: 6
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 5'2 and have lost over 80 pounds. I'm very unhappy with how my stomach looks due to the loose skin and stretch marks in that area, which were made extremely apparent when I was planking in very little clothing earlier (in the privacy of my home)...I looked down and was HORRIFIED! I would love to get a tummy tuck or some other type of work done there. I have read stories about how that type of surgery typically costs $10K+. I don't have anywhere near that amount of money. I have insurance, but have read that insurance typically doesn't pay for this because it's considered cosmetic. Has anyone found a way to get inexpensive but safe skin removal surgery? I wish there was a program out there that rewarded significant weight loss with free surgery. :-/

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • sheepysaccount
    sheepysaccount Posts: 608 Member
    I would at least ask your insurance person if they pay for it. They might say yes. However, this depends on the insurance system in your country.
  • PinkCupcakes84
    PinkCupcakes84 Posts: 235 Member
    Bumping because I'd like an inexpensive way to get rid of my breasts. So far, cutting them off with a chainsaw has been the only solution I have come up with.
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    Call a plastic surgeon and set up a free consultation. They will let you know what is involved, both with the procedure and the price. They will also let you know if your insurance will cover part or all of it.
  • helenarriaza
    helenarriaza Posts: 517 Member
    Guatemala is actually pretty famous for low cost, efficient surgeries.

    Many many american surgeons prefer to operate here.
  • 17ChargerGirl17
    17ChargerGirl17 Posts: 441
    As someone that works in the medical field, Most insurance companies will not pay for this unless there is a medical reason you need it. Not just because you don't like your stomach now that you've lost weight, which sucks.....
    I know that Kaiser insurance used to offer it if you lost over 100 lbs, but that's Kaiser. LOL
    I've know a few people that have had the surgery done in Mexico, and never had a problem. Said it was clean and safe.
  • tesha_chandler
    tesha_chandler Posts: 378 Member
    You can call and set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon for FREE and you can discuss your options. I know there are two year payment plans at some offices.
  • _KitKat_
    _KitKat_ Posts: 1,066 Member
    Bumping because I'd like an inexpensive way to get rid of my breasts. So far, cutting them off with a chainsaw has been the only solution I have come up with.

    Breast reduction is normally covered if they cause back pain.
  • LifeReinvented
    LifeReinvented Posts: 6
    Thanks for the responses :) Very interesting to know that Kaiser used to cover it if you lost over 100 pounds!

    I can't see scheduling a free consultation and just having it be a waste of time and gas money if it's pretty much NEVER standard practice nowadays for insurance to pay for this, though, because I can't afford thousands of dollars of surgery otherwise, even if there's a payment plan that will still result in me paying thousands -- "just" over time. I'm in a terrible financial situation (I'm working on that but I anticipate that it will take a long time to improve), so it would either have to be dirt cheap or free. I didn't think such a thing was really possible since it sounded too good to be true, but. I just wasn't sure if insurance ever covered it...it sounds like it doesn't. My reasons for it are purely cosmetic. It sucks to lose all of this weight and not be able to do anything about the loose skin, though. I do toning exercises but there's only so far that goes when you're 5'2 and lost almost an entire person. Oh well.
  • feedmedonuts
    feedmedonuts Posts: 241 Member
    Does it bother you much less when not planking? My gut hangs when planking too, but heck I don't plan on planking around anyone anyways o_O
  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    I have a really sharp chef's knife and first aid training. I got dis.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    1) Foreign country.
    2) Payment plans.
  • LifeReinvented
    LifeReinvented Posts: 6
    Does it bother you much less when not planking? My gut hangs when planking too, but heck I don't plan on planking around anyone anyways o_O

    That is true, it didn't fully traumatize me until I was planking the other day, looked down, and was HORRIFIED........but really, in clothing it's not that bad, especially considering how much weight I've lost. It's annoying to still have "battle scars" and never be able to wear a bikini, though.

    I wonder what the "average expected overhang" for a normal weight person during planking is now, though, to see how I measure up! I'm tempted to break out my measuring tape next time I plank...but perhaps I shouldn't torture myself more and should simply put a shirt on next time I work out so I don't get as much of a complex.
  • feedmedonuts
    feedmedonuts Posts: 241 Member
    I'm not sure you will ever know the "average expected overhang". It will very person to person depending on their body type, babies carried, where they carry weight, if they've lost drastic amounts of weight, variety of factors, etc etc etc. If you are happy other than when planking, doesn't sound like skin removal is necessary. In reality the amount of time you'll spend in the plank position/out of your overhang comfort zone is VERY small. Don't compare your tummy to others, they haven't lived in your body & frankly I don't think anyone would be analyzing your stomach in plank position anyways :P
  • 2BeHappy2
    2BeHappy2 Posts: 811 Member
    I asked a bariatric dr and he said they usually refer patients only for non cosmetic reasons.
    Well dang...some people after an extreme weightloss do actually need it as they can have a lot of excessive skin under their arms, their stomach and/or their inner thighs :ohwell:
    I would think all that skin could cause some serious chafing!
    http://www.ehow.com/way_5857887_pro-skin-after-weight-loss.html

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