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F cup to a large A. I'm worried.

ORIGINAL POST

F cup to a large A. I'm worried.

ephemeralliberty
I am getting a breast reduction August 25. My doctor says I will go from a F cup to a large A. And bc of that I will need a FNG. I don't want one but ppl have said they've regained sensation and protrusion after. I am not really worried about size but I don't want to look disfigured afterwards, it's such a large reduction.
I have lost a lot of weight 313lbs to 220lbs and my breast are still at an F cup but not fatty. My insurance Health Partners says I have to remove 916g from each breast but I only have like 1000g ish but they are still huge so he's basically going to take out all of it. Idk how to ask my insurance if they can take out less bc I've called and the other person on the phone only reads me what's on the HP website and isn't an actual medical professional. If anyone has advise on that I'd be greatful.
My PS says bc it's such a large reduction I have to have a FNG but I've also read on this site that a FNG is an archaic procedure. Does anyone think I need a FnG? Any advice on FnG did you get feeling back?
At the consultation my doctor suggested only taking out 700g but he didn't put his recommendation in the letter for my approval so now I'm stuck with 916g but I'm hoping I can ask my insurance for less? Idk. I have a month until my surgery so we will see.

ephemeralliberty's provider

Jonathan Witzke, MD, FACS

Jonathan Witzke, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (3)

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July 26, 2017
Like you, I had a lot of ptosis in my breasts. I went from an H cup to a perky D and I did NOT have a FNG. Most avoid the FNG nowadays. And most people do NOT regain feeling, as far as I know. Even in very large breasts, it is usually not necessary for a FNG. You can also dispute the insurance about what needs to be taken out. BCBS rejected my first claim, and then said yes to y second. They said my surgeon needed to take between 450-500 each breast. She ended up taking over 800 on one and over 700 on the other. Going from an F to a large A seems also like a giant leap and excessively small for you. If I were you I would seek a consultation with another surgeon. Good luck!
July 26, 2017
It's obviously very different in the UK to USA. I never understand how some people sat in an office can decide your welfare. Your insurance system is crazy! Surely a surgeon is the best to decide how much should be taken. I cannot see that you need to be reduced to an 'a' cup, that just seems so very excessive. I think you need a second opinion. I have my surgery in October, though it is paid privately, he did used to do NHS, and he told me going too small is far too dangerous for the patient (I am currently a 36jj-not sure of conversion). Please get a second opinion, and think positive! I wish you all the best in your journey x
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September 9, 2017
An A would be barely anything. PLEASE look at A cup size bras and decide if that's what you want. Also try residency programs as they might be cheaper usually around $5,000. Save up if you have to.
UPDATED FROM ephemeralliberty
27 days pre

Hope?

ephemeralliberty
So I called my insurance and they expressed that if Dr. Witzkes team calls and explains that it would be medically detrimental to take so much out of my breast then the insurance should follow his advice i.e. I'm 23 and taking out so much breast tissue is like a mastectomy and I'd have to get a FNG and I wouldn't be able to breast feed or have feeling in my nipple. The person on the other side of the phone expressed that I shouldn't have to worry and that it should be taken care of. But who knows honestly. I have an appointment with dr. Witzke on August 1st so let's see. I set that appointment up before I called health partners for the 100th time to see if he would write another letter and put his recommendation in this time since I was already approved but the front desk said I'd need an appointment to ask to see if he'd be willing to write another letter.

Replies (1)

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July 28, 2017
Sounds like your insurance is being very reasonable. If this doctor is too busy to even write you a letter/or help you get the correct surgery, you should really seek out another surgeon. That doesn't seem kosher to me. In addition, you are young and should preserve feeling in your nipples. Also, I do know someone who had a BR and was able to nurse afterwards with some success.
UPDATED FROM ephemeralliberty
13 days pre

Surgery in 2 weeks

ephemeralliberty
I have a positive update! I was thinking I wasn't going to go through with the surgery since my SNUR score was high and would have taken me from an F to an A. Thankfully after talking to my insurance and my PS, Health Partners agreed to go with my Witzkes recommendation and instead of removing 961g he's only taking 550g and my insurance will still cover it. I knew if he'd put in his recommendation in the first place they would have agreed. He didn't even have to write a letter according to my insurance (even though they said they wrote a letter I know they didn't). So I won't have to get a FNG which witzke seemed a little too eager to do but now since it's like half of what my insurance was asking initially I shouldn't need it. So yay! Never give up and keep trying. I had to call my insurance so many times to get them to understand why taking out 961 grams was way too much and would cause me to need an fng. I'm also grateful that this is working out. I was very lost and sad but now I'm just nervous bc it's happening so soon!

Replies (3)

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August 11, 2017
I'm happy for you! You'll be much happier without the FNG. Good luck and happy healing!
September 4, 2017
Well I'm glad you're having last taken out. However you might be in too much of a hurry. If you don't believe a letter was sent or you had any issues at all with what your doctor was saying, this should be a red flag for such a serious surgery! Please get another opinion and don't be in a hurry Or you may be sorry! Good luck
September 4, 2017
My insurance said I didn't need a letter but it was the ps office that said they sent a letter. But I already got it but we'll have to wait and see for the bill I guess. But I was in contact with my insurance constantly and they said he could take out less. Fingers crossed it all works out for me.