Bariatric surgery is a transformative surgery that leads to significant weight loss. After weight loss surgery, many bariatric patients desire plastic surgery to correct loose skin. Having heavy folds of skin is a painful reminder of your former physical self. For many, they turn to a tummy tuck after gastric bypass.

Most bariatricians recommend plastic surgery once you have reached your goal weight or a minimum of 12 months after surgery. To schedule your tummy tuck after gastric bypass, there is a minimum requirement of six months of maintaining a stable weight.

Several types of cosmetic surgeries can help you gain a more lean and firm body shape. These surgeries consist of body contouring surgeries, also known as body lift surgeries.  Some popular body lift surgeries are a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, buttock augmentation, breast lift, and arm lift.

What is a Tummy Tuck After Gastric Bypass?

An abdominoplasty or tummy tuck is a conventional cosmetic surgery recommended for bariatric patients as part of a body lift surgery. A tummy tuck after gastric bypass corrects loose and sagging skin in the stomach area. This surgery helps flatten the stomach when diet, exercise, and further weight loss are no longer helpful.  Tummy tucks are considered a cosmetic surgery that is not covered by medical insurance.

Tummy tucks improve your stomach's appearance by removing excess sagging skin, fatty tissue, and tightening your stomach muscles. Your lower abdomen, rib cage, and pubic bone are all areas that can be treated during this procedure.

Successful abdominoplasty surgery allows you to fit more comfortably into your clothes, move more efficiently, and perform daily activities without any physical barriers. Your body image and self-esteem improve with your smoother and firmer abdomen accurately representing your weight loss.

A tummy tuck after gastric bypass is a good option if you are physically healthy, do not smoke, and have maintained a stable weight.

Insurance Coverage for a Tummy Tuck After Gastric Bypass

For your insurance to cover part of your tummy tuck after gastric bypass, this surgery must be medically necessary. To make your surgery medically necessary, you need to have recurring rashes, chaffing, skin infections, and other health conditions that cannot be managed without surgery.

The average cost of a tummy tuck after bariatric surgery ranges from $ 7,000-$ 10,000. Discuss with your plastic surgeon what is covered under their quoted price. What is typically included in the quote: the surgeon’s fee, hospital or surgical facility costs, anesthesia fees, prescriptions and medications, post-surgery garments, and medical tests.

Most plastic surgeons offer financing for a tummy tuck after weight loss surgery. CareCredit is a healthcare financing credit card that offers a zero-interest rate financing for plastic surgery with participating plastic surgeons.

In some cases, you may receive medical insurance coverage for a tummy tuck after bariatric surgery. More specifically, a panniculectomy is usually covered by insurance.

Panniculectomy vs. Abdominoplasty

Panniculectomy is the removal of the overhanging skin and fat of the stomach. This excessive skin and fat drapes over your pubic area. This is commonly referred to as an apron.

The excessive skin is caused by losing a significant amount of weight, and its removal prevents recurring skin irritations or infections in the folds of the skin. The excess skin and fat on the lower abdomen interfere with your quality of life.

Unlike an abdominoplasty, a panniculectomy does not tighten the abdominal muscles or fix loose skin and excess fat. The panniculectomy is considered a medical necessity after a significant weight loss, whereas a tummy tuck is elective cosmetic surgery.

Overall these are both similar surgeries because they both remove excess skin and fat on the abdomen.

Both surgeries can be performed after weight loss surgery when your healthy eating and exercise habits have been adopted, and you have maintained a stable weight.

Body contouring surgeries help dramatically improve your physical and emotional health so that both operations would provide that sentiment.

The Gastric Bypass Tummy Tuck Surgery Procedure

The gastric bypass tummy tuck procedure consists of a horizontal incision from your pubic hairline to the navel. The shape and length of your incision depend on your specific needs and your plastic surgeon’s technique.

The second incision is around the navel to reposition the belly button. After this incision, many inches of skin is removed, and the belly button is relocated and repositioned.

Your abdominal skin is lifted during surgery, where your stomach muscles are repaired and tightened.

Your excessive skin and fat are also removed during the second incision. If you have any hernia, they will be repaired as well.

Expected Tummy Tuck Results

Your tummy tuck after gastric bypass will leave you with a flatter and firmer abdomen. Your stomach will be proportionate with your body type and weight. You will have increased movement and use of your body and an improved physical shape.

You will experience swelling, and the inability to stand upright until your internal healing is complete.  The healing process takes a week or two before you can stand upright again.

The results of your tummy tuck are considered permanent if you maintain a healthy weight. For long term results, you should keep a stable weight before the procedure.  The best way to know what to expect is to view tummy tuck after gastric bypass pictures from real patients. These pictures will help you get an idea of the results that are possible after cosmetic surgery.

My Plastic Surgery Experience

I had gastric sleeve surgery 22 months ago. I have maintained a stable weight for the last eight months and had a consultation with a plastic surgeon. My plastic surgeon specializes in body contouring surgery for bariatric patients. The main focus of my consultation was to address my abdominal area. Most of my excess skin and fat resides in my stomach, and I figured an abdominoplasty would be the best option to improve my physical shape.

My plastic surgeon recommended a fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. This procedure is recommended for patients who had massive weight loss after bariatric surgery and need a significant correction in their abdominal area.

The difference between a fleur-de-lis and a standard tummy tuck is an extra vertical incision in the center of the abdomen along with the horizontal incision. This additional incision allows my surgeon to tighten my skin from the sides as well as up and down, which dramatically improves the look of my abdomen.

I was pleased to find this was an option after my dramatic weight loss. I checked with my insurance and found that the only surgery covered was a panniculectomy. I went through the process for approval and was denied. My insurance did not find my surgery was medically necessary.

For my fleur de lis surgery, the total cost is $5,900. I am currently saving for this surgery and will not use a loan. I was disappointed that my insurance did not think my 170-pound weight loss required any surgical interventions for skin removal. When I began my bariatric journey, I expected plastic surgery would be necessary due to my excessive weight and my skin being loose for so long, so I am not defeated by my insurance provider declining plastic surgery.

I recommend all bariatric patients schedule a consultation if you are struggling with your body after significant weight loss. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not make it easy to receive coverage, but having determination and motivation helpful throughout the approval process.

There are many different ways to pay for your plastic surgery, and taking the time to analyze what is best for you is important. Plastic surgery does not magically fix the relationship you have with your body, but it offers a fresh start with the life you have worked so hard to attain.