My Long Awaited Journey Has Begun... - Buffalo, NY

If you're reading this then you already know pretty much everything I am going to say. My breast's have put a damper on my life since the 8th grade. Sexual harassment, accusations of "stuffing my bra" and pain in my back, shoulders and neck have been my close friend since I was 12. Last Wednesday I received the letter in the mail from my insurance company ( Independent Health) that it's good-bye to all those burdens. I had a consult with my PS on March 9th. It was very quick to the point kind of appointment. He told me all the con's of the procedure, did measurements of my chest, looked at my back and shoulders and basically told me that from that point on it was an insurance waiting game. He also explained that it was a good chance that I would be denied. Wait, Denied?! How?! I am 24 year's old 5'6'' and weigh 160 lbs. Granted, I weigh a little more than when I was 19, but majority of my heaviness is presented nicely in my button-up shirts that seem to be screaming " HELP ME" around the breast area due to my 34 DDD/E/F breast.

On a side note I never found a proper fitting bra because they are SO large so I always bought whatever bra fit comfortably, or whatever bra smushed them against my chest to make them appear "smaller " Which in reality, didnt make them look smaller it only made them look wide or gives you the "meat biscuit" ( The part of the boob that buldges out of the top of the bra)...Ok sorry went off on a tangent. When he told me i could possibly be denied, I immediately went home and wrote a denial appeal letter because I was determined to have this done. It's been the only thing I have ever truly wanted. When I asked my PS why he thought I might get denied, he said the insurance companies have instated a new scale to measure the "medical necessity" based on numbers. It's something called the "Schnur Scale" and it operates by gathering the percentage of weight your breasts make up of your overall weight of your body and it puts a gold standard on who get's the surgery and who doesnt. I suppose it makes sense, they do not want every overweight woman strolling into the office looking for a fast way to drop ten pounds. But to make a "Standard" it's like they're saying " Hey, even though you are a size 4, weigh 140 lbs with 10lbs of that weight is on your chest in your 32 DD tiggle bitties...go home...lose 10-15lbs and come back and your boobs should be a B cup by then..Thanks, Buh-Bye" That seems absurd to me. Every body is different, and even though I weigh a little more, it doesn't mean if i lose 20 lbs it would just be my breasts. Trust me, tried it. I lose the weight everywhere BUT my breasts. And, exercise, Forget it...Don't even get me started on exercise OUCH! It is a genetic deposit of fat cells for me.

My sister, niece and Aunt all had Bi-lateral Reduction Mammaplasty's and still say to this day it was the best decision they have ever made. So, for all you ladies awaiting an approval dont get nervous, just stay positive and believe you will get it and you will. But before I recieved my approval letter I waited 4 weeks and still had not heard a WORD from the insurance company so i decided to call and check up. When i called i spoke with a nice woman whom informed me that my PS never submitted a request for an approval. What?! I'm pretty sure you could see the steam piping out of my ears. I proceeded immediately to calling my PS office and requesting to speak with the office manager immediately. She tell's me that my "file and request just slipped through the cracks..." Slips thru the cracks? You mean slipped up YOUR crack? Were you sitting on it? It was like my heart sunk. Now im thinking in my worried mind " Is this how the surgery is going to go? Are they going to forget my medication? are they going to forget to schedule my surgery? is the Doctor or the staff even dependable? So I bring my concerns to the office manager and she explains how terribly sorry they are and they will do everything in their power to make this situation right. After that incident my request was approved in 2 days. The turn-around for surgery approval requests with independent health is a maximum of 72 hours. So I waited 4 long highly anticipated running-to-the-mail-box-every-morning weeks to get an approval that only takes 72 hours? Oh HELL no. I called the office back when i recieved my approval and explained to them how upset i was and that i do not want to wait due to THEIR mistake. i already waited 4 weeks longer than i should have. They apologized and I explained the only thing that would work for me is if they schedule the surgery around MY time because I was forced to wait because of their mistake. My appointment to set up Surgery date is tomorrow (Thursday April 27th at 4 PM) I am still a little nervous about proceeding with this Doctor because I have some doubts. But everything is set in motion and I dont want to be set back AGAIN. I just want to have this surgery and start living a normal life. Ive been seeing a chiropractor for 6 months and it has not changed a darn thing. It makes my work day more manageable but it DOES NOT relieve my pain or symptoms.

I am a Dental Hygienist and the weight of my breasts put a lot of strain on my neck. In my profession, my neck and shoulder and back need to be as straight and perfectly posturally correct as possible in order to maintain proper ergonomics to ensure longevity in my field. If I couldn't get this surgery there would be no possible way i could continue in my career. I am on my way to having this done, it is such a relief to know it will be covered. But i was only approved for "outpatient surgery" I am under the assumption that means I will have surgery and go home. Well my PS told me it was important that i stay the night to ensure comfort and proper care in a very volatile time. So, should I call my insurance company and see if they will cover an inpatient? I dont know, I am SO confused and kinda scared. If anyone has any recommendations i would REALLY appreciate it. I am so grateful for this website. It taught me so much about reductions and really inspired me to share my story because I am grateful for everyone else's story. I hope mine helps someone.

I also wrote a little "venting" journal about my breasts a few years ago and i would like to share it because if you're reading it. Im sure you can DEFINITELY relate to these What I Would Give To … • Live a day as a normal –chest-sized woman without the bitter weight of two sacks of (in my case) purposeless skin bags hanging on my body. • Jog a couple miles without the restraints of 2 to 3 bras to reinforce their position on my chest, rather than my chin or belly button. • Refuse a drunk man’s request of “show me your boobs!” not because I am embarrassed of the size and shape of my breast, but to say No in essence to preserve my self-dignity. • Buy a dress to fit my size 8/10- body without having to increase the overall size to insure accurate fittings around the jubblies. • Go to the beach without the gawking and whispering of “How much yah think those puppies cost?” • Have a conversation with eye contact. • Refer to my actual bra as the “over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder” rather than the muscle that connects my shoulder blades together. • Wear a strapless top without the need for extra material and efforts from the local tailor. • Wear a button up dress shirt without the middle button looking so stressed as if it were screaming “Help Me” • Buy a shirt because I enjoy it, not because it “makes em’ look smaller” • Ride my bike without knee-ing my breasts with every up-stroke of the pedal. • Avoid Swamp-Tit • Have a normal 24-year-old body that doesn’t resemble that of a woman whom seems to breastfeeding an infant ALL THE TIME. • Work a 4-hour shift and not resemble Quasimodo when I am finished. • Be happy and comfortable in my own skin. Any comments and advise helps!

Thursday April 27th had sencond appt to discuss surgery. It went well very brief again. He was in and out and didnt really allow me anytime to think about questions. He told me i need to decide on one of two different incisions for the surgery. This is where i might need some help from you guys. He gave me 2 choices
1.) The inverted T, removes the breast tissue from around the nipple, sides and underneath of the breast leaving a scar around the areola, down the midline of the breast and underneath the crease of the breast.( Scar resembling a T) Pro's - Removing more skin and tissue gives the breast an uplifted look and better overall appreance. Con's - More scarring, scars could possibly be visible in low cut shirts or tank tops that reveal skin around the arm pit region. Longer healing time
2.) The "short scar" also known as the vertical scar. This incision entails a scar around the areola and down the midline. Nothing but that. Pro's - Less tissue removed, fast heal time. Con's - Usually used in woman with 32DDD and under breasts, not really ideal for woman with pendulous appearing breast because it doesnt really give them a "lift" (or from what i read on this site) about the vertical or lollypop technique.

Now everywhere i read there all these different opinions on which incision is "the best" and i understand that it is all according to my breast's and my ultimate goal i am trying to reach. When i asked my PS what he thought he told me " its ultimately my decision" and told me to google the difference. Im really starting to not feel confortable with him. I just feel like he doesnt have time for me and i am constantly rushed in and out. Well i guess that is the business right. So ultimately i need some MAJOR advice from you ladies or if there is a way to ask a doctor on here. Im kinda new to this whole thing and dont really understand how it works. But surgery is Scheduled May 30th at 5:30am. So nervous!

I received my information packet in the mail yesterday. It has all instructions on what to do before and after surgery and it also has my next two appts before my surgery. So, tell me if this sounds weird. My surgery is on Wednesday May 30th at 5:30 am, My "per-operative" appointment is Thursday May 24th. I thought this was strange because my PS told me at my Pre-op appt is usually the day before the surgery and that he would be marking my breast's for the incisions. But they couldn't schedule me the day before (Tuesday the 29th) because he doesn't work or he is in the OR on that day... So will i walk around for 6 days with marking's on my boobs? I'm pretty sure they will wash off or something, im crazy about showering everyday. Every time I call KI cant get ahold of anyone so I guess I will just ask on the 24th. Ive heard alot of women say that they're PS did the marking's on the breast the day of the surgery. So maybe he just wants to look, take notes and talk about the procedure. I go to the hospital for blood tests next saturday at 9:00am. I will update then, any comments would be helpful! Thanks ladies