A dramatic increase in bariatric surgery has increased the number of patients with redundant skin/large panniculus after massive
weight loss. This is best treated by surgery; however, not all patients with redundant skin/panniculus get authorization from
insurance providers. There are certain insurance coverage criteria for panniculectomy that need to be met by patients for
approval. Our search also demonstrated that there are not established criteria/guidelines for different body parts such as
inner arms and thighs other than the pannus amongst third-party payers. These cases are appraised individually by third-party
payers based on presented signs and symptoms. It is of utmost importance that members of a bariatric team are knowledgeable
on these guidelines and should be able to discuss if necessary; however, currently utilized criteria should be discussed with
patients, preferably in pre-bariatric surgery phase, and ideally by a plastic surgeon. Advantages are several-fold and discussed
in the article.
Keywords Insurance criteria - Guidelines - Panniculectomy - Redundant skin surgery - Third-party payers - Bariatric surgery