Tummy tuck, anyone?

Sammie · 03-01-2004, 09:23 AM

I really wan't one, and was wondering if any Aussie gals had had one?

I am trying to get my health fund to pay, and am interested in knowing if anyone has pulled this off?

Thanks

Sam

Aussie Girl · 03-05-2004, 07:55 AM

Hi Sammie,

I used to work for a private health fund, and unless the government rules have changed you probably won't be able to get them to pay for it. The health funds can't pay for any procedure that is not covered by Medicare because no item number is given by the doctor. Also, if the surgeon etc are not covered, your health fund won't pay the hospital for the bed (and private hospitals charge over $500 per night just for the bed). If Medicare have changed the rules, you may get some cover if your policy covers cosmetic surgery - check for a difference between plastic and cosmetic as most funds cover plastic surgery only for medical reasons eg burns and scars but not cosmetic surgery which is for cosmetic reasons eg boob jobs.

good luck

emmandoh · 03-05-2004, 05:54 PM

Sorry cant help much but am interested in any answers. What is the reason you wanted a tummy tuck in particular? If i tried anything first it would probably be liposuction. When i lost lots of weight my skin was pretty flabby to start with but now has fairly shrunk back - but it took a long time and a lot of excercise. I suppose the main drawback with lipo is that once youve had fat removed from the area it wont come back, sounds great but is leading to some very odd shaped looking people as the weight goes elsewhere. Im not confident enough to consider it yet until ive finished having kids. Especially with PCOS as pg can wreak havoc on your weight however under control it is now.

Anyway good luck! Are you going to have it regardless of whether your health fund pays or not? How much would a tuck be?

Em

Sammie · 03-06-2004, 10:09 AM

Thanks Aussie Girl, and emmandoh.

I do plan on having it done once I have lost all of my weight, and I still need it after a reasonable amout of time, with or without my fund covering it.

Aussie Girl, my tummy already hangs about 5cm below my pubic bone as it is, and I tend to, if I am not VERY careful, get infections. I wonder if this makes it non - cosmetic? I just dread what it will look and feel like minus 45kg!

Anyhow, thanks so much for your awnsers Aussie Girl, that will be helpful when I am dealing with my fund.

Oh BTW, what fund did you work for?

Sammie

Mandi-Lou · 03-06-2004, 10:15 AM

Sammie,

just to let you know, if you have the banding done, once you loose all the weight, it is a medical reason to have the tummy tuck done and your health insurance should cover it, as its no longer for cosmetic reasons only.

I know a few people who have had the banding or bypass done that have gone on to have tummy, arm, leg tucks after they lost their weight.

I warn you now though, the scars are pretty horific from having this done. Although it is much better to have the skin removed if it hasn't shrunk back with your weight loss.

Hope that made sense!

Hugs
Mandi
xxx