POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
Just Turned 55, Happily Married, 2 Grown Daughters and Ready to Reduce 36G Breasts to Just Right! - Sacramento, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 55, stand 5'6" (would be a couple of inches...
trulymenowApril 2, 2016
$7,000
I'm 55, stand 5'6" (would be a couple of inches taller if not for scoliosis in my mid-back) and weigh 226 pounds. Bra size is US 36G-38H. I have 2 daughters (grown), 4 grandbabies and a loving supportive husband. I love my family and now my time has come--I am so ready to be my "real self"! My real self is a trim and healthy 145 pounds and about a 36C-D. I'm blessed to have good insurance coverage (Anthem Blue-Cross) so I checked the provide network and found Dr. Rudy Coscia at the Sacramento Plastic Surgery Center. I had my consultation with him yesterday and will follow up with a detailed description--yes--that 226 pounds is an issue!) Many thanks to those of you who have gone before me and posted about their experiences here on RealSelf.com--you have encouraged and inspired me!
Replies (2)
UPDATED FROM trulymenow
Consultation: Doc says it's best to weigh less...will be waiting to schedule BR. Happy to focus on my health.
trulymenowApril 3, 2016
Had my BR consultation on Friday. The Sacramento Plastic Surgery Center is a very nice place; of course, I have nothing to compare it to! I was 15 minutes early for my appointment and was called in at just about the time of my appointment, so very little wait time. I felt at ease with Dr. Coscia. He talked with me in his office, explained the procedure and showed pictures of breast reductions he had done. A lot of my questions were answered as he talked and he was happy to answer the questions that I did ask. A female medical assistant was present during the exam.
Dr. Coscia measured my breasts then referred to what I learned is the Schnur Sliding Scale. This is what an insurance company (mine is Anthem Blue Cross) may use to determine the minimum amount of tissue per breast that needs to be removed. It's based on how tall you are and how much you weigh. and Dr. Coscia said that at my current weight, insurance would require the removal of 750 grams per breast. That's a lot. He showed me an 800 gram implant sample for comparison. And it turns out that I do not have 'dense' breasts (Really? They sure feel dense and heavy!) Since my breasts are not 'dense' he said if he removed that much they would not look right.
Even if I chose to pay out of pocket he would want me to weigh about 20 pounds less before he would do the procedure. Geez--I wish now I would have lost the 30 pounds I had planned to lose while waiting for my consultation appointment. If I had done that I probably would have been able to schedule a surgery date. Bummer.
Dr. Coscia encouraged me to be at a lesser and stable weight before the procedure to reduce the possibility that my breasts would change with my weight and to end up with a better result in breast shape and size and so my belly doesn't stick out farther than the girls! I've read reviews where women's breast size don't change with their weight but I don't know how my breasts will react so I'm holding off until I'm 50 pounds down. I've chosen to be positive about the situation and let it motivate me to bring out my true trim and healthy self. I have another appointment with Dr. Coscia in mid-June. I started my super healthy superfood cleansing program today and I ordered my nutritional supplements. I am creating a habit of moving more and sitting less. For the next 10 weeks I am laser-focused on getting as healthy as possible by my next appointment with Dr. Coscia and eventual BR procedure.
Dr. Coscia measured my breasts then referred to what I learned is the Schnur Sliding Scale. This is what an insurance company (mine is Anthem Blue Cross) may use to determine the minimum amount of tissue per breast that needs to be removed. It's based on how tall you are and how much you weigh. and Dr. Coscia said that at my current weight, insurance would require the removal of 750 grams per breast. That's a lot. He showed me an 800 gram implant sample for comparison. And it turns out that I do not have 'dense' breasts (Really? They sure feel dense and heavy!) Since my breasts are not 'dense' he said if he removed that much they would not look right.
Even if I chose to pay out of pocket he would want me to weigh about 20 pounds less before he would do the procedure. Geez--I wish now I would have lost the 30 pounds I had planned to lose while waiting for my consultation appointment. If I had done that I probably would have been able to schedule a surgery date. Bummer.
Dr. Coscia encouraged me to be at a lesser and stable weight before the procedure to reduce the possibility that my breasts would change with my weight and to end up with a better result in breast shape and size and so my belly doesn't stick out farther than the girls! I've read reviews where women's breast size don't change with their weight but I don't know how my breasts will react so I'm holding off until I'm 50 pounds down. I've chosen to be positive about the situation and let it motivate me to bring out my true trim and healthy self. I have another appointment with Dr. Coscia in mid-June. I started my super healthy superfood cleansing program today and I ordered my nutritional supplements. I am creating a habit of moving more and sitting less. For the next 10 weeks I am laser-focused on getting as healthy as possible by my next appointment with Dr. Coscia and eventual BR procedure.
Confirmed with insurance administrator that breasts reduction procedure is not excluded (with my coverage it is covered if deemed medically necessary)
1. Visited my Primary Care doc twice--once last June to ask for pain drug to deal with back pain as needed. I told him I wanted a breast reduction. He prescribed Tramadol and recommend I visit my Orthopaedist because I have scoliosis.
2. Resumed regular visits to my Chiropractor for needed back adjustments He said he would support a BR and wrote a letter stating this.
3. Visited my ortho. Told him I wanted a BR. He seemed flustered ha! He's more a joint doc but he did write up a statement of support for a BR. He also prescribed 4 weeks of physical therapy which I just started.
4. Back to primary care doc, this time for a letter of support
So I have a medical history of upper back and neck issues, PT, and pain meds and letters of support from 3 health professionals. My PS doc was happy to have those for my file. He is confident that it will be covered. Only thing holding me up is needing to release some weight. I will be posting about my consultation soon so watch for that.
Best of luck on your journey and I'm happy to help if I can!