Mehta Institute forPost-Weight-Loss Reconstruction
Call: 888-NEW-BODY
Text: 609-924-0200
Mehta Institute forPost-Weight-Loss Reconstruction
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Panniculectomy: Removal of Large Abdominal Overhang
Often Covered by Insurance
Panniculectomy: Removal of Large Abdominal Overhang
Often Covered by Insurance
Insurance Eligibility
- Do you experience chronic skin causing rashes or infections?
- Is your mobility restricted by excess abdominal skin?
-
Does the 'apron' of skin make it difficult to maintain proper personal hygiene despite your best efforts?
If you answered YES, your insurance likely covers your surgery.
Private & Secure Insurance Verification.
We believe everyone deserves relief. Whether you’ve recently achieved significant weight loss or are managing a higher BMI, we provide a judgment-free surgical evaluation tailored to your body. Our goal is to find the best path toward your physical comfort and long-term health.
PANNICULECTOMY FAQ's
Panniculectomy vs. Tummy Tuck: The Honest Difference
A panniculectomy is a medically necessary procedure designed to remove the hanging “apron” of skin and fatty tissue from the lower abdomen. It is performed for functional reasons, such as rashes, infections, hygiene problems, and back or posture issues. This is the portion that insurance may cover when medical criteria are met.
A tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure. In addition to removing skin, it tightens the abdominal muscles, reshapes the waistline, and repositions the belly button to improve overall contour and appearance. Insurance does not cover these cosmetic refinements.
The Hybrid Approach Most Patients Choose
Many patients use insurance to cover the medically necessary panniculectomy, and then choose to upgrade the procedure with cosmetic components of a tummy tuck — such as muscle tightening and contouring — for a more complete and natural result.
This approach allows you to:
- Treat the medical problem
- Improve function and hygiene
- Restore abdominal support
Achieve a far better aesthetic outcome than skin removal alone
Why This Matters in Post-Weight-Loss Reconstruction
After major weight loss, removing hanging skin alone often leaves the abdomen flat but unsupported. Without addressing the underlying muscles and structure, the result may be functional — but not fully restorative.
In my practice, reconstruction is planned around both:
- What insurance requires medically
- What your body needs structurally and aesthetically
When appropriate, combining these approaches produces results that are safer, more stable, and more consistent with how post-weight-loss bodies actually behave over time.
Navigating Insurance Approvals — We Handle the Red Tape
Insurance denials are one of the biggest reasons patients delay care — even when their condition clearly meets medical criteria.
My team and I specialize in post-weight-loss reconstruction, and we know exactly what insurers look for when reviewing panniculectomy and related procedures. This includes proper clinical documentation, medical history, photographs, and diagnosis language required for approval.
We regularly work with major insurers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the tri-state area — including Aetna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and others.
What This Means for You
- We take over the entire approval process free of charge
- We submit the correct photos and documentation the first time
- We respond to requests for additional information
- We handle appeals when needed
With over two decades of experience working within these systems, our process is designed to remove friction, reduce delays, and improve the likelihood of approval — so you can focus on your health and recovery, not paperwork.
A Few of Our Panniculectomy Patients...
Vishal Mehta, MD
- Board Certified, American Board of Surgery
- 24 Years of Surgical Experience
- 4000+ Patients Transformed
-
All Surgeries Performed Personally
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
Insurance Eligibility
- Do you experience chronic skin causing rashes or infections?
- Is your mobility restricted by excess abdominal skin?
-
Does the 'apron' of skin make it difficult to maintain proper personal hygiene despite your best efforts?
If you answered YES, your insurance likely covers your surgery.
Private & Secure Insurance Verification.
We believe everyone deserves relief. Whether you’ve recently achieved significant weight loss or are managing a higher BMI, we provide a judgment-free surgical evaluation tailored to your body. Our goal is to find the best path toward your physical comfort and long-term health.
Real patients' cases
CUSTOM JAVASCRIPT / HTML
The Hybrid Approach Most Patients Choose
Many patients use insurance to cover the medically necessary panniculectomy, and then choose to upgrade the procedure with cosmetic components of a tummy tuck — such as muscle tightening and contouring — for a more complete and natural result.
This approach allows you to:
- Treat the medical problem
- Improve function and hygiene
- Restore abdominal support
Achieve a far better aesthetic outcome than skin removal alone
Navigating Insurance Approvals — We Handle the Red Tape
My team and I specialize in post-weight-loss reconstruction, and we know exactly what insurers look for when reviewing panniculectomy and related procedures. This includes proper clinical documentation, medical history, photographs, and diagnosis language required for approval.
We regularly work with major insurers across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the tri-state area — including Aetna, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and others.
What This Means for You
- We take over the entire approval process free of charge
- We submit the correct photos and documentation the first time
- We respond to requests for additional information
- We handle appeals when needed
With over two decades of experience working within these systems, our process is designed to remove friction, reduce delays, and improve the likelihood of approval — so you can focus on your health and recovery, not paperwork.
Vishal Mehta MD
- Board Certified, American Board of Surgery
- 24 Years of Surgical Experience
- 4000+ Patients Transformed
-
All Surgeries Performed Personally
"I was made aware of Dr. Mehta’s program through an associate at work. I was shocked at the reaction that Dr. Mehta received from his patients during the seminar. He answered all of my questions straight to the point. My total experience with the program was fantastic!! Dr. Mehta has given me my life back! I am able to live and work like I did when I was young! I feel I was given a chance to start over and I owe it to Dr. Mehta. My surgery was flawless. I felt great after. Recovery was quick and now I am on my way to new goals. Thank you so much for the new LIFE!!"
GARY G. FRANKLIN PARK, NJ
"I suffered from diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, sleep apnea, lack of energy, swollen feet and grumpiness. Best of all I no longer use medicines & no longer suffer from any of the other medical issues. Even my grumpiness has gone away. My PCP was amazed and very impressed. I wish that there was a way to thank Dr. Mehta for what he has done. If I could do it all over again, I would in heart beat with Dr. Mehta."
- Miguel C. (Lost 76 lbs.)
I thought I'd never afford the surgery, but Dr. Mehta's team handled my insurance paperwork and changed my life.
Dr. Mehta and the entire staff took great care of me. When I finally took off the garment for the first time, I was in tears. Dr. Mehta brought out the body that was hiding beneath the extra skin. The body I have been dreaming of for years. He gave me my confidence, happiness & peace of mind back. I am finally almost rid of my body dysmorphia. My scars are so thin, so early on! Not only does he do phenomenal work, he's very reasonably priced for the services he offers, but also the whole staff made me feel like family. Dr. Mehta is awesome, I promise! He's very honest as well. If you're looking for something that he doesn't do, he will tell you. I will forever be grateful.
Dr. Mehta is the real deal. He’s going to give it to you straight, he is methodical, precise, and very, very good at what he does. His wife is lovely, his office staff is phenomenal (you rock, Lulu and Anna), and here I sit 6 weeks post op very, very happy with my results. I am healing well, any concerns I have had are always addressed right away (never dismissive) and I am loving trying on a size I haven’t been in since high school! Life-changing. Transformative. Mind bending. Do it. You won’t regret it. By the way, I’m always determined to chat up Dr. Mehta every time I see him. The guy is a cool customer. Exactly what you want when he’s holding a scalpel, right?
Offices in Princeton & Old Bridge, NJ
I thought I'd never afford the surgery, but Dr. Mehta's team handled my insurance paperwork and changed my life.
Dr. Mehta and the entire staff took great care of me. When I finally took off the garment for the first time, I was in tears. Dr. Mehta brought out the body that was hiding beneath the extra skin. The body I have been dreaming of for years. He gave me my confidence, happiness & peace of mind back. I am finally almost rid of my body dysmorphia. My scars are so thin, so early on! Not only does he do phenomenal work, he's very reasonably priced for the services he offers, but also the whole staff made me feel like family. Dr. Mehta is awesome, I promise! He's very honest as well. If you're looking for something that he doesn't do, he will tell you. I will forever be grateful.
Dr. Mehta is the real deal. He’s going to give it to you straight, he is methodical, precise, and very, very good at what he does. His wife is lovely, his office staff is phenomenal (you rock, Lulu and Anna), and here I sit 6 weeks post op very, very happy with my results. I am healing well, any concerns I have had are always addressed right away (never dismissive) and I am loving trying on a size I haven’t been in since high school! Life-changing. Transformative. Mind bending. Do it. You won’t regret it. By the way, I’m always determined to chat up Dr. Mehta every time I see him. The guy is a cool customer. Exactly what you want when he’s holding a scalpel, right?
Private & Secure Insurance Verification.
PRINCETON, NJ OFFICE
1 Academy Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
OLD BRIDGE, NJ OFFICE
2 Hospital Plaza, Suite 470, Old Bridge, NJ
Call/Text (609)924-0200
Call: 888-NEW-BODY
PRINCETON, NJ OFFICE
1 Academy Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
OLD BRIDGE, NJ OFFICE
2 Hospital Plaza, Suite 470, Old Bridge, NJ