Quite Lengthy but Worth Reading :-) - Omaha, NE

I am 27 years old and live in Omaha; I went home to Missouri for Labor Day weekend 2013. Because of my occupation I only get to go home bout once or twice a year. I had worn a tank top that showed off how gigantic my boobs were, obviously not purposely because it was a family event but it's hard to conceal those things the majority of the time. My family was so wowed how big they actually were considering they hardly see me. Even my dad mentioned his opinion bout how big they were; which was a shocker. My family started asking me how big they were, did I have neck and back pain, etc. I said yeah and since I work 55-60 hours a week at work on my feet nonstop it made matters worse. Prior to this visit, I have never thought bout having this procedure done or even looking into it. Having big breasts all my life and my families persuasion I started researching breast reduction surgery everything from pictures to recovery. I did a ton amount if research on the topic. Then I said to myself that it wouldn't hurt to get a consultation just for a piece of mind. I then googled plastic surgeons in Omaha; came across Aesthetic Surgical Images and noticed an ad for a free consultation. So I contacted them, I had no idea who I wanted to see. Going into the phone call I basically had the frame of mind that well if they ask me who I wanted to see, who would i want to see? Well of course the friendly ladies over the phone asked me who I wanted to see. I honestly really didn't care because I wasn't taking this whole thing real seriously, at the time. They scheduled me with Dr. Richard Bruneteau. My boyfriend and I went into the room and waited patiently for him to arrive. In the meantime, I had put on a top short gown opened to the front. He came in with a nurse and he felt my breasts he then told me that I was a great candidate for the procedure. I was then asking him bout what he thought bout my insurance, United Healthcare, covering the procedure since the doctor saw it as medically necessary. He gave me a verbal spectrum of different insurance companies. For example, Coventry very unlikely to cover, United Healthcare in the middle, and then Blue Cross Blue Shield very likely to cover it. The doctor said he would send my claim into the insurance. I told him to put on there my height as well considering that plays a huge part in the whole process. I had a 36 DD with a height of 5'1. I had a little stature and supporting these things definitely wears and tears on my body. You may not know this but larger breasts can have an affect on your back, neck, posture (I had terrible posture because the breasts were weighing down the spinal chord to make me have inaccurate posture), affects your breathing, limiting your workout activities/machines, affects your clothing, now I can buy shirts that actually fit my body and not my boobs big difference; those are just a few things that come to my mind. The doctor said he had put that on the claim. That day I asked the doctor how long it would take to hear from the insurance company he said 6-8 weeks. Well it was about that that I received my denied claim. During the waiting period of my rejection letter, I heard we were getting a new insurance company so I didn't type up an appeal letter. I waited until the new insurance took affect. I went up to Aesthetic Surgical Images and told them to submit my claim to Aetna insurance. They said they would do that. 6-8 weeks later went by received a phone call from ASI's insurance lady and she said that she spoke to Aetna and they would probably approve it if they took 550 grams out of each boob instead 500 grams out if each one. So she was basically calling me to see if I was ok with that. I had already written an appeal letter and sent it in because before the insurance lady called and asked me I had already been denied. So finally I received an approval letter from my insurance they approved for 550 grams of tissue out of each one. I was ecstatic but wanted to make sure Dr. Bruneteau could give me a low C to a high B. He said he was confident that's what he could give me. I didn't even need the approval letter since I had agreed to increasing the gram total. So I scheduled the surgery a month following the appointment. My surgery day was April 9 but had a pre op appointment a few weeks before the surgery. I was scheduled for a six am surgery. I walked in at 5:15 in the morning with my parents and my boyfriend. I was greeted by my surgical nurse, Nikki, who was absolutely amazing, her job was to basically make me feel comfortable before and after my surgery and during recovery time. Then shortly after I got situated in my bed my family came back and met Dr. Bruneteau. They stayed for a brief time then the anesthesiologist came in and knocked me out. The next thing I knew I woke up to Nikki saying my name. Spent some time in recovery but was home by 930. Was seen by Lindsay, a nurse of Dr. Bruneteaus, and another plastic surgeon the next day, because my doctor was at a clinic. He said everything look good thus far. And Lindsay said I was going to have a great recovery. A saw the physicians assistant the week following the surgery she said everything look good but would get my stitches out in another two weeks. I went back the next week even though I wasn't scheduled I had an issue I was kind of concerned bout that I called the on-call doctor, which happened to be my doctor, over the weekend and he said he wanted to see me Monday so they squeezed me in. He said the swelling that was concerning me was normal and he was half tempted to take my stitches out. Although we ended up not taking them out I was like one week isn't going to hurt anything. So that's what happened yesterday April 29 I went back for my three week follow up and got my stitches out. The doctor had told me how great everything looks and that I am going to be so happy with my results. I will go back go my second month follow up on June 10th.
Notes, suggestion, things to look for:
The doctor is as good as the patient.,.bottom line meaning you can have a great surgeon but if you don't follow the doctor and the literature guidelines you can end up doing more harm then good. If you think you can do it and the timeline doesn't fit the recommendations then simple DON'T DO IT!!!
Also try and have a great support system outside the facility. My parents came up from Missouri and my mom stayed with me for 2 whole weeks. Which was awesome of her I didn't have a lift a finger. She made dinner, did my laundry, stayed calm when I get ticked off, cleaned my house, also she made sure I had some entertainment because you can get bored by yourself.
You will go stir crazy but be patient If you decide to go anywhere make it short and sweet and take a pillow with you to protect you from the bumps of the roadways.
You my have some bleeding after surgery but the bleeding will eventually turn into a yellow oozing but don't freak out that's normal. I wish so someone would have told me that or it would have been written in the literature.
I was very fortunate, I did not have any drains inserted so I can't tell you a whole lot bout that. Just know that it seems like a pain in the behind to change and keep clean.
Showering was the most stressful thing after surgery. My surgery was on a Wednesday and I showered that Friday. The recommended time for showering after surgery is 24 hours. The way that worked best for me was using a large bottle of antibacterial soap, you will need a lot if you wash with it until your stitches come out, I poured it in a cup and put it in the shower stall because the bottle is too heavy to lift after surgery. I wash my hair first then my body then my breasts. I used a glove and change that every few days to wash my incisions I couldn't bare to touch them with my bare hands. Must change towel every time you shower.
Desperately need to save your legs?? Well I ran bath water but not enough go cover my legs but wore my surgical bra, that they will provide for you, and wore that so your boobs have support. Then obviously remove it before showering.
Gauze you will need tons of gauze!!! I change them a few times a day especially if I was having that yellow oozing. You can go to changing them to every time you shower (which should be once a day after the first week or so) because you want that area to be clean at all times.
Make sure you keep with your head elevated.
Didn't drive for 2 1/2 weeks
Wore zip up and button up shirts for three weeks.
I went to sports authority and get a zip in the front sports bra for the times my surgical one was getting washed. You will definitely need the surgical bra more than you think. It will give you the most support and the most allowable room for swelling.