Conclusions  Higher BMI and coincident hernia repair impaired reimbursement for abdominoplasty, while massive weight loss after gbs improved compensation. While having patients pay for their surgery guarantees the best reimbursement, strategies such as assuring authorization prior to surgery, which Medicare will not do, will secure better reimbursement. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical ResearchDOI 10.1007/s11695-009-9911-xAuthors Michele A. Shermak, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Division of Plastic Surgery and Department of Surgery Baltimore MD USAShelly Choo, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Division of Plastic Surgery and Department of Surgery Baltimore MD USAJessie Mallalieu, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions Division of Plastic Surg...