Are Body Lifts Covered By Insurance?
Many of my patients inquire about funding options for their body lift and ask if medical insurance will cover the procedure. Insurance coverage for plastic reconstructive surgery after massive weight loss depends on several factors. Insurance approvals will depend on your specific insurance policy. Some policies restrict or exclude reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss surgery. Usually there is no way around these policies unless you change your insurance or policy.
Most insurance companies require that certain criteria be met for approval of coverage.
For insurance approval of a 360 body lift, many insurance companies require documentation of complications, such as rashes or low back pain resulting from the excess skin. Many times they require documentation of these problems from your treating physician. Receipts of cream or ointment are helpful. Also, you may want to take pictures of your rashes when they occur. In addition, insurance companies usually require clinical pictures of your abdomen, hips and buttocks to show the sagging skin. Sometimes excess abdominal skin and fat can cause lower back pain. If there is documentation by a Neurosurgeon or Orthopedic Spine Surgeon that removing excess weight from the abdomen, hips, and buttocks may help lessen lower back pain, the body lift may get approved.
There are times where insurance companies approve part of the body lift. They may approve only the abdominoplasty or tummy tuck. If this is the case, then you and your plastic surgeon need to discuss your priorities. Often, I will perform the abdominoplasty under insurance and the back part of the body (posterior body lift) as a fee for service (cash). In most circumstances, I feel that it is unwise to perform the abdominoplasty one week only to return in one to two weeks to have the back half of the body lift performed. Performing both procedures together lessens the total time under anesthesia and results in a shorter recovery time and produces a better outcome.
I have performed hundreds of body lifts. Most of the body lifts were partly or completely covered by insurance. Please call (310) 859-7770 to schedule an appointment. My office staff will partner with you to get approval from your insurance company for the body lift and help you on your journey to the body you’ve always wanted.
Can a 360 body lift be preformed under local anesthesia?
Technically, a 360 body lift can be preformed under local or IV sedation, however I would not suggest it. Some reconstructive plastic surgery procedures can be preformed under IV sedation; these can include breast augmentation and facelifts. I believe a key component to the abdominoplasty and the 360 body lift is muscle tightening. The key muscle that is tightened is the rectus abdominus muscle or six pack muscle. The best way to tighten this muscle is under general anesthesia. General anesthesia temporarily paralyzes the rectus muscle and allows for significant tightening with permanent suture. I believe tightening the rectus muscle creates a flat abdomen for many years.
For additional information or to schedule a consultation please contact our Beverly Hills plastic surgery office.
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Dr. J. Timothy Katzen Raises Awareness About Obesity Epidemic in Compete 4 Causes 5k Run/Walk at CSUN
On November 4, 2012, Dr. J. Timothy Katzen will participate in the Compete 4 Causes 5k Run/Walk and Wellness Expo with a group of his former patients along with people from the weight loss community in order to raise funds and awareness about obesity. This event will take place at California State University, Northridge.
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen is not only dedicated to providing his patients with cosmetic enhancements through plastic surgery, he is also devoted to aiding those who are struggling with obesity. One of the ways he promotes healthy living is by helping to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic in America.
On November 4, 2012, Dr. Katzen and a hand-picked team of his former patients along with people from the weight loss community will participate in the Compete 4 Causes 5k Run/Walk and Wellness Expo at California State University, Northridge. This event allows participants to raise money and race for a cause or organization of their choice.
“I formed my team through the relationships I established with prior patients and people in the weight loss community. Most of my patients have lost at least 100 pounds or more, and have had reconstructive surgery to contour their bodies. Many patients have had circumferential 360-body lifts, leg lifts, arm lifts, and breast lifts,” Katzen said.
The highly trained, reputable plastic surgeon and his team will raise money for The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America, So Cal Chapter (WLAFA.org), an organization that is committed to ending obesity through weight loss surgery, education, and support. Dr. Katzen hopes to raise as much money as possible for patients who are in need of, but cannot afford, weight loss surgery or body contouring post-weight loss reconstructive surgery.
“I think it is very important to raise awareness about the obesity epidemic in America, and for the public to realize that obesity is a real disease and needs to be treated,” said Dr. Katzen. “It is also very important for patients to be educated about reconstructive plastic surgery options that can be done after massive weight loss.”
At his plastic and reconstructive surgery practice in Beverly Hills, Dr. Katzen offers various post-weight loss procedures, especially for patients who have lost 100 pounds or more, such as abdominoplasties, 360-circumferential body lifts, breast lifts and augmentation, posterior buttock lifts, arm and leg reductions, face and neck lifts, and fat transfers. Every procedure is tailored to the patient’s needs and desires.
This will be Dr. Katzen’s first Compete 4 Causes Run/Walk. However, he has participated in several “Walk from Obesity” events with his patients, which raises awareness about obesity nationwide as well as funds for weight loss procedures.
“I am very proud of my patients. Many have had a significant battle with obesity their entire lives. To me, it is very rewarding to see my patients inspire others to lead a healthier lifestyle,” Dr. Katzen said.
Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), Dr. Katzen is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), as well as a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and the International College of Surgeon (ICS). An expert in body contouring procedures, he also specializes in minimizing surgical scarring.
To learn more about the Compete 4 Causes 5k Run/Walk, please visit Dr. Katzen’s website and watch his informational video.
The Compete 4 Causes Southern California Division is located at the Sierra Quad on Cal State Northridge: 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330.
Will Gluten Free Diet Help you Lose Weight?
“Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye, and triticale. People with celiac disease must avoid gluten. Gluten damages the intestinal wall of those with celiac disease, causing malabsorption of nutrients and intestinal discomfort. There have been studies on how a gluten free diet affects weight in those with celiac disease. Results showed that those who were underweight tended to gain weight, and those who were overweight tended to lose weight. This is likely due to a more balanced diet with restrictions on foods that aggravate celiac disease. Simply put, those who were underweight were now better able to absorb nutrients and thus gain weight, while those who were overweight were eating less food due the restrictions of a gluten-free diet. These foods include any gluten-containing products such as bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, gravy, cereals, sauces, and beer. Some products, such as commercial french fries, may have been cross-contaminated with gluten and so are avoided unless they are labeled gluten free. Those in the general population (i.e. no celiac disease) that follow a gluten-free diet tend to be more conscientious about what they eat and therefore more restrictive of their food intake, which can result in weight loss. The studies regarding gluten and weight loss pertain ONLY to those with celiac disease and those results do not necessarily apply to the general population. A gluten-free diet in and of itself does not promote weight loss, but because of the dietary restrictions, may lead to a decreased food intake, thereby resulting in weight loss.”
The 360 Body Lift and YOU! By Dr. J Timothy Katzen
Congratulations! You have lost hundreds of pounds through the life-changing medical procedure known as bariatric surgery. You made a decision to take control of your life. You are doing things you never imagined yourself doing, like running marathons and climbing mountains. But even though you’ve been through so much already to reclaim your life, your journey is not over. You still carry the baggage of excess skin. To be truly free, you need to shed the unwanted reminder of the life you left behind.
It may help to know that you are not alone. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, or ASMBS, estimates that over 300,000 people in the United States had bariatric surgery last year. Fortunately there are options and medical breakthroughs to help you achieve your transformation.
My name is Dr. J. Timothy Katzen and I am a recognized expert in the field of reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss. One of the procedures that I have refined and have a significant amount of experience is the 360 Body Lift.
Over the next few months, I will provide information, advice and resources for people who are part of the massive weight loss community.
Upcoming topics will include strategies to finance your surgery, how to best prepare for your 360 Body Lift surgery and how to maximize your chances of a healthy recovery. I will provide information about support groups and ways to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. I will also share stories about the transformations of my patients, who inspire me every day.
In fact, it was the extraordinary success of one of my first body lifts that led me to become the leading expert in post weight loss surgery. While I was a doctor at Cedars-Sinai, I worked with a wonderful nurse who was morbidly obese. She made a commitment to change her life by getting the RNY-gastric bypass but was burdened with over 220 pounds of excess skin. She shared with me her discomfort, health concerns and disappointment in her physical appearance. She was heart broken that the eight plastic surgeons she consulted felt that her surgeries would be too complicated and long. She convinced me that I was the only person that could help her.
Moved by her experience and being someone who thrives on challenges and helping people, I decided to perform her first of many surgeries. Once we both felt comfortable, I performed a 360 body lift. Her results were remarkable. The normalcy she had longed for at last was achieved. And I discovered that my training and years of experience have the opportunity to make profound contributions to the lives of others.
One of the most common requests I receive from major weight loss patients is to learn more about the 360 Body Lift surgery. Depending on the patient’s needs, the procedure can be done by making an incision made along the lower abdomen, over the hips, and meeting in the back. I am then able to tighten the muscles around the midsection—abdomen, outer leg, and buttock area. Excess skin and fat is removed in order to produce a smoother, slender contour. This one procedure removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen, lateral hips, and buttocks all at the same time. The result is a flat abdomen, smooth hips and a raised and contoured buttock.
No matter where you are on your journey, I hope you discover something here that helps your commitment to change your life. I am available to help in any way I can.
If you are interested in setting up a consult to see if the 360 Body Lift is right for you or to learn about many of the exciting options available, please contact my Office Manager, Jacki, via email at jacki@360body lift.com or by phone at (310)-859-7770.
