Waiting on an Appeal for a Reduction - Medina, OH

That's unfortunate about the insurance stipulation of not covering it unless it's cancer. Glad you were able to set up something closer, because I don't think a 2-hour drive back from Columbus would be very pleasant after an outpatient surgery--I had mine 10 minutes away, and got a little nauseous on the drive home! Just wondering which surgeon at Cleveland Clinic is doing it? You can message me if you don't want to mention it here.

I know - it was so frustrating; but I had to find a way somehow..I usually don't respond overly nauseous to the anesthia, so hopefully that won't be an issue. My surgeon is Dr. Armand Lucas. I really like him. How are you feeling? How long ago was your surgery? Happy? Done anything differently? YOU can message me if you don't want to answer here;)

My surgery was just over 6 months ago, and I am thrilled I did it, should have done it sooner! I feel great without those extra weights on my chest, have been able to wear things I could never wear before. I just wondered about the surgeon because you commented on my review a while ago that you had a consult with Dr. Andrews originally. Good luck to you!

I'm not sure that was me.....I had my first appt. with Dr. Christina Rotemberg - but it was too long a wait, so I found Dr. Lehman in Akron, but couldn't do it there because of the cost.

Oh--you're right, it was Lehman! I don't know why I said Andrews!!! Sorry.

Best of luck to you Micki! Hope you get everything worked out:-)

Thanks Iowa - I'll keep you posted. Looks like two other ladies are scheduled the same week as me. It will be nice to compare notes:)

Have you spoken with your primary care provider about your back and neck pain? I didn't have a lot of documentation about my pain since I work in the doctor's office where I am seen, but the first provider I asked was more than willing to write a letter on my behalf and I think that helped a lot. Have you had a mammogram? Does the report mention the consistency of your breast tissue? Those were two of the things that I submitted that the plastic surgeon thought was very helpful. My insurance is Blue Cross.
As far as the drive home...I live an hour and a half away from where I will be having the surgery. I had no other options as I live in rural Iowa and the drive would be that far no matter where I would go.
My insurance does allow me to stay overnight in the hospital. If I lived in Des Moines, where the surgery will be, I may opt to go home and save the money, but my doctor will place drains and I need to go to his office the following day to have them removed and be re-evaluated and I don't want to have to make that drive again.
I have my surgery next Wednesday, so I will be able to give you more of an opinion afterward, but my opinion now would be to stay in a hotel nearby that first night if you are going to have to go back the following day. If you don't have to go back to the surgeon's office right away I would go home for a day or two and then make the drive back if that is an option.
Good luck! I hope your appeal is successful

Thank you for posting your story.  

I do remember my ride home and it was a bit bumpy and hurt a bit.  I think you would be ok on the ride home.  Just make sure your driver doesn't hit every pot hole in the road...LOL   I swear my hubby found all of them.  

You will feel like a new woman after this surgery.  It gives you a boost in confidence and takes a big load off the back, neck and shoulders.  

I had told myself that if my insurance did not cover it I was going to pay out of pocket.  I had to get this done.

Keep us up to date on what's going on with your process.

Thanks Kimmers! I'll keep you updated. I would pay a million dollars to get this done - if I had it - as it is, I don't have a pot to P in:) My mother offered to pay - but I couldn't take it without it being a loan. We'll see..

My PS thought the mammo reports were helpful as mine stated that 10% of breast cancers are undetected in women with very dense tissue. I can't believe with all of the documentation that you had that you were denied. Did they give you a reason?

Good luck on your appeal. Some insurance companies go out of there way to not pay. I didn't have grooves on my shoulder or constant rashes (I had a few)...but I wore a 40J bra. My HMO wouldn't even refer me to a PS...they referred my to a physical therapist and nutritionist. I switched to Blue Cross and was able to go directly to a PS. The main criteria should be the amount of breast tissue removed. If you feel comfortable with this resident program and can afford it....it sounds like a good deal. I was looking at the billed charges for my surgery that the insurance paid and my surgery cost about 3 times that.

Taking the two hour drive the day of the surgery will not be comfortable. I would say the first day was the most painful day for me. If possible, I would stay for one night. Talk to you doctor, I visited my doctor the day after surgury...but he kept the drains in over the weekend (I had them for six days due to the holiday weekend).