10 Years of Living In Pain, The Journey Has Begun - Atlanta, GA

Now's the time, and the serious journey has begun! I have been desperately in need of a breast reduction for the past 10 years. I had a hysterectomy done in 2005, and ever since then, my breasts have grown and grown. I went from a C to a DDD in that time. My back and shoulders are in constant pain, and I have the most intense numbness in both hands and tingling down both arms. I've started seeing an out of network chiropractor in April, to help me with my back and shoulder pain. I constantly take ibuprofen on a daily basis to help with the pain and headaches. I use heat and cold packs at night to help me sleep. I have to buy new bras every 2-3 month. I'm so paranoid that my insurance won't cover the surgery. I have Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. I've started to collect the names of plastic surgeons to start the consult process. I have my first appointment with my GA Kaiser primary doctor to start the process with Kaiser in Georgia. I had Kaiser 5 years ago in California, and my doctor at the time told me that if I lost 20 lbs, she'd consider referring me to a PS. I was so broken hearted by that news that I tucked the idea away, and tried to deal with the daily pain. I've lost and kept off 10 lbs, and I'm comfortable with my weight. I don't smoke, I don't snack, and I drink water, and a glass of wine with dinner (no sodas). It just feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest all day, every day, and the numbness is beyond comprehension. I can feel myself falling into a depression, because I don't want to spend the rest of my life in constant pain and numbness. I'll be 50 next year. I'm reading everyone's reviews, and I get so sad, because I'm scared of the insurance process.

I just came back from a now routine, twice weekly visit to my chiropractor, and she said she'd write a letter recommending surgery. She also gave me the names of two plastic surgeons to add to my consult list. I see my primary doctor on 8/28 to start the process with Kaiser, but I know it'll be all in-network, so the information that she gives me will be given to my primary doctor. If he doesn't budge (like my previous Kaiser doctor in 2010), I'll be promptly changing my insurance to BCBS during open enrollment season in October. Until then, I'll keep going to my chiropractor, taking tons of ibuprofen, using my heated rice packs, and doing my strengthening exercises. I'll have to start wrapping my breasts for comfort instead of wearing bras.

I see my Chiropractor again on Monday 8/24, and my PCP on Friday 8/28, which can't come fast enough. I read this forum every night, and I get scared and sad that my insurance company won't approve me. I'll fight and fight... but the pain, numbness, and weight of my breasts are unbearable. Thank God for Icy Hot, ibuprofen, microwavable rice bags, etc. I want to start scheduling my consults. By the way, are most consults free? I have quite a few PS names lined up in my general area. I'm so envious of all the women who were successful in getting insurance approval. I can't afford the surgery without insurance, for now. Believe me, if I could pay for the surgery without insurance, it would be done already. I pray every night for insurance approval.