Do You Need Skin Removal Surgery due to weight loss?

For the price you were quoted, it pays to come to NY

I’ve gotten derailed a little. I am scheduled for surgery to have a large lipoma removed from my side. Was hoping to have it done in an office, but doctor thinks it’s in the muscle. Sigh. So, must do in hospital with sedation, not general. Still outpatient.

It’s been there a long time, but my recent 80 pound weight loss resulted in there not being much fat around it. So, it’s painful when I sleep….use cushions, but still.

Hi, I know it's been a while since you asked this question, but I thought I would answer anyways in case it helps you or others. I had gastric sleeve bariatric surgery and have lost 46 lbs up to now, need to lose more. I am a 55 year old female past menopause so my skin is sagging a lot more than it would if I were younger. From what I understood, if the skin is causing medical issues like infections ( yeast, fungal, irritation under folds etc) it may be covered by insurance. I am in Canada and covered by our provincial medical plan, but only the things causing medical problems will be covered. A nurse recommended I take photos when I get infections so I am more likely to get covered when I've lost the weight. I am assuming the insurance here will cover my tummy skin because I get infections despite showering daily and practicing good hygiene, but that they won't cover something like loose facial and neck skin. Things like this and breast lifts unless there is infected skin would be out of pocket.

@usernameimpossible

Welcome to Mayo Connect.
Congratulation on your weight loss, you're almost half way to your goal. I have only had minor skin irritation, so never pursued skin removal on abdomen. But like you, I am at age that my skin does not have elasticity to go back to it pre stretched form. Exercise helps, but can only go so far.

Your smart to document. Insurance will not pay unless medically necessary. Some of medical reasons include. excess skin is causing health problems like back pain, chafing, dermatitis, infection, or chronic rashes, infections, cellulitis, or non-healing ulcers.

The documentations is going to have to be provided in medical records, so make sure you inform you provider of any problems your having and they document, including images.

Again, welcome to group and continue the good work.

Congratulations on your weight loss! That’s a big accomplishment. I appreciate the tips and will take notes, photos and report to my doctors for documentation purposes. Just in case any of the surgeries are covered.

@roch
Thank you for your kind welcome.

@celia16 Thank you and congratulations to you, too!

I had band in 2008. I went from 320 to 170. I never gave it a thought that
I would have rolls of skin. I subsequently got numerous skin infections
Between the rolls it was disgusting
I had skin removed at a teaching hospital. Amazingly cheap approx $3,000
Total What a difference it made Good luck in your journey

Congratulations on your loss. That’s quite impressive.

Do you recall the length of the recovery time? Was it very painful? And, was the skin removed from your torso, arms or lower body?

@nova1976
Wow, that's quite an impressive loss! Congratulations!