Tricare ?

Honeydewchestnut

I had my appendix removed when I was 10 and the surgeon decided to do an open incision so I was left with a really nasty scar.  When I was in the hospital having the baby, I had multiple doctors tell me that I should look into having Tricare cover a scar revision.  Does anyone have any experience with Tricare covering reconstructive surgeries?

LemonLover33

I'm currently getting my thyroid surgery scar fixed. The dermatologist told me I had the option to use topical tape that fades the scar, steroid injections, or surgery. So I assumed they were all covered since it was deemed medically necessary. Mine keloided over so just see if a doctor would refer you to a dermatologist.

Honeydewchestnut

LemonLover33:

I'm currently getting my thyroid surgery scar fixed. The dermatologist told me I had the option to use topical tape that fades the scar, steroid injections, or surgery. So I assumed they were all covered since it was deemed medically necessary. Mine keloided over so just see if a doctor would refer you to a dermatologist.

Sweet.  Thanks for the information.  I'll ask about a referral in a few months 

MrsOjoButtons

I have the same thing from when my appendix ruptured when I was 7! Is yours most of (or all the way across) your abdomen? I know this is a weird question, but did pregnancy do anything to it? Since mine was left open, the fat layer on my abdomen isn't even and I worry an eventual pregnancy will make that worse, and I worry it will be super icky feeling rubbing on the panel of maternity pants.

Honeydewchestnut

MrsOjoButtons:

I have the same thing from when my appendix ruptured when I was 7! Is yours most of (or all the way across) your abdomen? I know this is a weird question, but did pregnancy do anything to it? Since mine was left open, the fat layer on my abdomen isn't even and I worry an eventual pregnancy will make that worse, and I worry it will be super icky feeling rubbing on the panel of maternity pants.

Mine is about 6 inches long most of the way across my belly.  Not going to lie, it's 20x worse after pregnancy but it was pretty terrible before I got knocked up.  I had a couple medical students ask me WTH that was on my stomach and asked me why someone would do it like that after I told them what it was from.  It would make me really happy if I could have it "prettied" up a little bit

MrsOjoButtons

Mine is what caused my adhesions and led to my IF. It goes from one hip to the other and is about two inches below my belly button. More than once, I disrobed with a dude and was asked WTF it was, so I understand your pain. I had a consult about getting it fixed when I was 19 or 20 and he said to wait until I'm done having kids, so I've just left it alone. If Tricare would cover fixing it, I may be willing to forgive them for saying they won't cover maternal care caused by IVF. I won't post my own picture, but it kind of looks like this lady's pre-op picture, but mine is all the way across. http://www.realself.com/review/mobile-al-tummy-tuck-w-lipo-13-2010-48-hours. If you find out, definitely let me know.

Honeydewchestnut

MrsOjoButtons:

Mine is what caused my adhesions and led to my IF. It goes from one hip to the other and is about two inches below my belly button. More than once, I disrobed with a dude and was asked WTF it was, so I understand your pain. I had a consult about getting it fixed when I was 19 or 20 and he said to wait until I'm done having kids, so I've just left it alone. If Tricare would cover fixing it, I may be willing to forgive them for saying they won't cover maternal care caused by IVF. I won't post my own picture, but it kind of looks like this lady's pre-op picture, but mine is all the way across. http://www.realself.com/review/mobile-al-tummy-tuck-w-lipo-13-2010-48-hours. If you find out, definitely let me know.

I absolutely will.  Mine looks similar to that, except it's about 3 inches wide and is white.  I'm really scared about what it's going to look like when my belly goes down.   

MrsOjoButtons

My fear is that it won't go down. It'll be like a deflated bag that hangs over my elastic waisted mom pants. *Runs away sobbing*

MrsOjoButtons

http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Reconstructive+Surgery&topic=Women. This says it wouldn't be covered because our surgeries were so long ago.

Honeydewchestnut

MrsOjoButtons:

http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/jsp/Medical/IsItCovered.do?kw=Reconstructive+Surgery&topic=Women. This says it wouldn't be covered because our surgeries were so long ago.

Well sh!t.  I'll let you know if I find out something different.   

VeryContrary247

This thread makes me really thankful I was able to get a laparoscopic appendectomy. Only 3 little scars to deal with.

 Honeydew, I hope you manage to work things out!