Re: re Melody and plastics

April 30, 2008

I'm thinking of having my panni removed, but I'm wondering if medicare pays for

it?

I just turned 65 yrs and have lost amost 100 lbs since my surgery last august.

I would love to know what medicare pays for, or doesn't.Please someone help!

Diane , Atascadero,ca.

tamarac42@... wrote:

I had an extended abdominoplasty and extended brachioplasty last

October. I

took all my pain meds every four to six hours. But, I was not aware of

" pain " in those areas. What I was acutely aware of was the compression garment

they gave me caused a big friction abrasion on my butt. It was so painful

that it was like aversion therapy - I wasn't even aware of pain in my tummy or

arms. I also had a " smorgasbord " of bacteria which caused an infection

causing me to be seen by an infectious disease guy several times. He cut away

the

dead tissue and didn't use any pain killer because it did NOT hurt at all.

The area of infection was about 2 inches above my pubis bone. My plastic

surgeon wants to fix the little " dimple " left there but really, who cares? I am

66 and the only person who sees it is my husband, not that he isn't important

but really I am not going to be wearing a bikini anywhere.

Next on the agenda is a thigh lift tentatively scheduled for 2009. I am

trying to get my iron levels up and stable before having another surgery. Also,

I hear from others on this board that it is the " mother " of all surgeries

pain and comfort wise so I am not eager to do this. The only time I really

consider it is when I see myself naked in the mirror.

I chose to go to a plastic surgeon in Seattle instead of traveling to

Delano. With all the follow up appointments I know I made the right choice. The

hour and one half drive was annoying even then and I was prepared to be in a

car for over three hours each appointment.

When Pearl had her pannulectomy by Dr. Keshishian she had to wear the

binder. After my friction abrasion I refused to wear the compression garment and

switched to my old binder. I had to look up the spelling on the Internet. No

wonder everybody calls it a " panni. " Lots of people on this board had Dr. K

do their plastics. I just couldn't handle being away from home that long.

Hope this helps.

Marla

WA State

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