Breast Augmentation: Stories

Well, gosh. I have never had "normal" breasts... I remember the first MOMENT that I noticed they were different. I was in seventh grade; My first encounter with a junior high school gym locker room. Everyone's boobs were thrust out into the world whether they liked it or not because only the nerds changed in the bathroom stalls. I cried to my mother about it for two years. When I was fourteen I told my family practitioner there was something wrong with my breasts. He didn't think there was anything glaring out of the ordinary, said that I was too young to worry about it and that they weren't finished growing. I was examined by a number of doctors over the next couple of years (GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists). No one found anything "wrong" with me. They all asked similar questions and gave me vague answers. No one said it, but I know they were all thinking similar things: "Poor girl just has ugly boobies".

My first visit with a plastic surgeon was at the Cleveland Clinic when I was 17. This was the first time anyone identified my breasts as tuberous. The surgeon that I met with told me that despite my age, corrective surgery was an option. We sent away my info to our insurance company at the time and my claim was denied. I let the issue drop. I had a lot of shame and guilt and the expense on top of everything else was something I was not willing to ask my parents to shoulder.

Fast forward to New Years' day 2013. I am 23 years old, still in school and still living at home. I am 5'1, I weigh around 125 pounds and my bra size at Aerie is 34DD(my left breast is considerably smaller with zero lower pole fullness). My mom got a job at CCF a few months ago and our insurance rolled over on the first of the year. I came home from a NYE party and my parents sat me down for a "serious family conference". I had no idea what we were even talking about until I was crying like a baby across the couch from them. My dad told me it was time for a big change and that they had moved money around I was having corrective surgery this spring no matter what! Mom and I were on the phone scheduling consultations with plastic surgeons the next day!

I started my search at the Clinic because, although it wasn't my number one priority to have insurance cover it, I knew that if I could find a surgeon at CCF I have a good shot at getting my hospital expenses covered (their stellar reputation attracted me as well!). I also knew that at least a portion of my surgery was going to be reconstructive in nature and I wanted a PS with reconstructive experience. I picked three surgeons at the Main Campus and had appointments three days in a row at the end of January. Rapid fire! I picked my PS (Dr. Randall Yetman, who came highly recommended by the other surgeons I met with and a number of my mom's co workers who have had BAs or know people who have had them with him) and his office sent out pictures and info to insurance from my most recent visit AND they even dug up old photos from my visit when I was 17!

Dr. Yetman outlined a two step plan for correcting my breasts. I have pretty sizable asymmetry and significant constriction to my right side. He says my best bet for getting as close to symmetrical as possible is to have an equal implant:tissue ratio, so my first surgery will consist of a reduction to my left side and inserting tissue expanders bilaterally. My second procedure will be a few months later to remove the expanders and.... drum roll.... Insert my implants!! I need a lift and areolar reduction as well, but he said he would determine when later.

I waited until yesterday to hear back, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I called the office to see what was up with insurance, fully expecting to get the old "We'll call you when we know" thing, but the secretary surprised me saying she just saw my paper work. I was on hold for 30 seconds, which seemed like an hour, and she was back on the phone. "Good news! Insurance approved the first step of your procedure!" WHAT!? I started crying. I didn't get a real quote yet, but I am positive my surgery would have been through the roof expensive. She put me through to scheduling to pick my date and my pre op. Turns out my PS had a cancellation next Tuesday (the 26th)!! My pre op is tomorrow (today!) and I am so giddy and nervy, I don't even know what to think! Updates to come this afternoon, but I really wanted to share with yall because I am just overwhelmed that this is finally happening!

Oh, and if you'd like to see my previous post from before my consult it is here!:
http://www.realself.com/question/cleveland-tuberous-breast-reconstructionsuggestions-corrective-surgery