Medically Necessary Appendectomy?

jhendricks123
jhendricks123 Posts: 38 Member
edited October 1 in Health and Weight Loss
The title should read "Medically Necessary Abdominoplasty", not appendectomy! For some reason that word stuck with me today after reading about appendicitis this morning! I'm aware that appendectomies are always medically necessary, otherwise they don't happen lol... I am such a dork.

Has anyone here qualified for an abdominoplasty as "medically necessary" so that you didn't have to shell out thousands upon thousands to tighten up lose skin?

I still have about 50 lbs to go before I'm at my goal weight of around 160, but I'm down to 211 from 350 lbs so far, and I just don't see my stomach flab going away. Actually I'm a bit concerned about the inner thigh as well.

Apparently you have to have an apron of skin hanging over your pubis, then you either need to have recurring rashes and such, or prove that it negatively effects your mobility. You also need to demonstrate that you can maintain your weight for 6 months or something like that.

Replies

  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    Never heard of that. My appendectomy was an emergency... Fastest I've ever gotten into the ER! :tongue:
  • An Appendectomy is the removal of your appendix, not the removal of the excess skin on the stomach/abdomen.
  • agthorn
    agthorn Posts: 1,844 Member
    Appendectomy = removal of the appendix. I've never heard of that being an elective surgery.
  • hm_day
    hm_day Posts: 857 Member
    Seriously? My mother had her appendix removed as an emergency because it burst. Hell, they were going to remove mine because I was having stomach cramps! Turns out it was just ovarian cysts. But STILL.
  • jhendricks123
    jhendricks123 Posts: 38 Member
    Ugh, abdominoplasty. I wish I could edit thread titles... I was reading about appendicitis earlier.
  • hm_day
    hm_day Posts: 857 Member
    .. Yeah, I didn't think we were talking about the same surgery.
  • SimplyFreckled
    SimplyFreckled Posts: 444 Member
    You won't get a tummy tuck by way of Emergency Appendectomy. The only thing you will get is a big hunk of a scar.....
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    Excuse me if I am being ignorant here but what does removing your appendix have to do with loose skin?
  • scottppa
    scottppa Posts: 31 Member
    Are you talking about an appendectomy (the removal of the appendix, which is usually medically necessary when it's done) or abdominoplasty (which is a cosmetic surgical procedure)? I think you're talking about abdominoplasty here!
  • Shweedog
    Shweedog Posts: 883 Member
    Ugh, abdominoplasty. I wish I could edit thread titles... I was reading about appendicitis earlier.

    OHHHH! LOL!
  • Halothane
    Halothane Posts: 69 Member
    Abdominoplasty and panniculectomy are most likely what you are referring to and not an appendectomy. Removal of the appendix is not generally done on an elective basis unless you are already having abdominal surgery and we typically go ahead and remove it if you still have it.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Ok, I think we all know now that you meant to ask about abdominoplasty...

    Anyway, I used to work with someone who had it done for medical reasons. The only caution I would put out there is that even though it was done by a cosmetic surgeon, because it was done for medical reasons, it wasn't pretty and smooth afterwards. She did have it fixed but that means a whole separate procedure and why go through all that? There's a good chance not all surgeons would handle it that way but it's something to talk to them about if you're going to do it.

    ETA: Not sure about proving weight maintenance but in her case, there was skin irritation (rashes, etc)
  • Moonbeamlissie
    Moonbeamlissie Posts: 504 Member
    Ugh, abdominoplasty. I wish I could edit thread titles... I was reading about appendicitis earlier.

    I am glad that I READ ALL the posts instead of just skipping to the bottom like some of these others did. I have lost about 70 lbs and I was wondering the same thing (if it was going to go away on its own) Since I don't have a whole lot im guessing I will have to live with it or pay the money. I'm guessing Ill just live with it!
  • FaugHorn
    FaugHorn Posts: 1,060 Member
    Apparently no one really READS the thread they just respond right off the bat!

    I have no answers to your question, sorry, but I enjoy seeing people say the same thing over and over when the explanation was right above them :)
  • jhendricks123
    jhendricks123 Posts: 38 Member
    lol, well it took me a little while to correct myself! At least the title may get more views for its absurdity :)
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    Ugh, abdominoplasty. I wish I could edit thread titles... I was reading about appendicitis earlier.

    I assumed that's what you meant, but it gave me a good excuse to be a smartass, hehehe
  • Ugh, abdominoplasty. I wish I could edit thread titles... I was reading about appendicitis earlier.

    If I recall correctly, our secretary at work was able to get her abdominoplasty surgery covered by insurance as medically necessary. She had to follow all the post op rules and had to keep the weight off for, I think, 1 year. After that time, the doctor declared the abdominoplasty as medically necessary.
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