Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

Two Step Surgery to Correct Asymmetrical Tuberous Breasts - Cleveland, OH

ORIGINAL POST

Well, gosh. I have never had "normal" breasts... I...

csujane08
WORTH IT$16,500

Well, gosh. I have never had "normal" breasts... I remember the first MOMENT that I noticed they were different. I was in seventh grade; My first encounter with a junior high school gym locker room. Everyone's boobs were thrust out into the world whether they liked it or not because only the nerds changed in the bathroom stalls. I cried to my mother about it for two years. When I was fourteen I told my family practitioner there was something wrong with my breasts. He didn't think there was anything glaring out of the ordinary, said that I was too young to worry about it and that they weren't finished growing. I was examined by a number of doctors over the next couple of years (GPs, gynaecologists, endocrinologists). No one found anything "wrong" with me. They all asked similar questions and gave me vague answers. No one said it, but I know they were all thinking similar things: "Poor girl just has ugly boobies".

My first visit with a plastic surgeon was at the Cleveland Clinic when I was 17. This was the first time anyone identified my breasts as tuberous. The surgeon that I met with told me that despite my age, corrective surgery was an option. We sent away my info to our insurance company at the time and my claim was denied. I let the issue drop. I had a lot of shame and guilt and the expense on top of everything else was something I was not willing to ask my parents to shoulder.

Fast forward to New Years' day 2013. I am 23 years old, still in school and still living at home. I am 5'1, I weigh around 125 pounds and my bra size at Aerie is 34DD(my left breast is considerably smaller with zero lower pole fullness). My mom got a job at CCF a few months ago and our insurance rolled over on the first of the year. I came home from a NYE party and my parents sat me down for a "serious family conference". I had no idea what we were even talking about until I was crying like a baby across the couch from them. My dad told me it was time for a big change and that they had moved money around I was having corrective surgery this spring no matter what! Mom and I were on the phone scheduling consultations with plastic surgeons the next day!

I started my search at the Clinic because, although it wasn't my number one priority to have insurance cover it, I knew that if I could find a surgeon at CCF I have a good shot at getting my hospital expenses covered (their stellar reputation attracted me as well!). I also knew that at least a portion of my surgery was going to be reconstructive in nature and I wanted a PS with reconstructive experience. I picked three surgeons at the Main Campus and had appointments three days in a row at the end of January. Rapid fire! I picked my PS (Dr. Randall Yetman, who came highly recommended by the other surgeons I met with and a number of my mom's co workers who have had BAs or know people who have had them with him) and his office sent out pictures and info to insurance from my most recent visit AND they even dug up old photos from my visit when I was 17!

Dr. Yetman outlined a two step plan for correcting my breasts. I have pretty sizable asymmetry and significant constriction to my right side. He says my best bet for getting as close to symmetrical as possible is to have an equal implant:tissue ratio, so my first surgery will consist of a reduction to my left side and inserting tissue expanders bilaterally. My second procedure will be a few months later to remove the expanders and.... drum roll.... Insert my implants!! I need a lift and areolar reduction as well, but he said he would determine when later.

I waited until yesterday to hear back, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I called the office to see what was up with insurance, fully expecting to get the old "We'll call you when we know" thing, but the secretary surprised me saying she just saw my paper work. I was on hold for 30 seconds, which seemed like an hour, and she was back on the phone. "Good news! Insurance approved the first step of your procedure!" WHAT!? I started crying. I didn't get a real quote yet, but I am positive my surgery would have been through the roof expensive. She put me through to scheduling to pick my date and my pre op. Turns out my PS had a cancellation next Tuesday (the 26th)!! My pre op is tomorrow (today!) and I am so giddy and nervy, I don't even know what to think! Updates to come this afternoon, but I really wanted to share with yall because I am just overwhelmed that this is finally happening!

Oh, and if you'd like to see my previous post from before my consult it is here!:
http://www.realself.com/question/cleveland-tuberous-breast-reconstructionsuggestions-corrective-surgery

csujane08's provider

Randall Yetman

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

csujane08 rating for Dr. Yetman:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (4)

February 22, 2013
Hi, I have done many thousands of breast reductions and similar numbers of breast augmentations. You have asymmetric tuberous breasts with enlarged areolas and you need a one step asymmetric breast reduction with normalization of the areola size. You have a lot of tissue on the right side too so you might have asked for implants in addition to the breast symmetry procedure. I have never needed tissue expanders for the augment part of this procedure. Imagine that you are small breasted and need implants. Certainly you would not need expanders in this case. You have young tissue and if you want the implants, do them at the same time as the asymmetric breast reduction. There are many ways to do breast surgery. Tissue expanders would have no part of your surgery in my opinion. Your story is really nice in that your parents have taken charge to help you. Girls feel helpless in this situation and even though I differ totally in the approach, you will feel wonderful after your procedure.
User Avatar
February 23, 2013
Congrats!!! I have asymmetrical breasts and into my second week of recovery. So far despite my PS best efforts (different profiles and 100cc difference) my breasts and nipples are uneven. But I am not freaking out untill 6week mark when everything is settled.. Anyway I am still so excited I did this and you will too!! It is scary but you sound like you have an Awsome support group!!! Congrats!!
February 23, 2013
Congrats to you! I hope everything turns out... Has your recovery been painful? Are you back to work/normal activities yet?
User Avatar
February 23, 2013
Going onto week 3 soon but not quite back to normal. They say 6 weeks is back to normal golden hour. Not that painfull actually more frustrating waiting for healing, you have to be so careful. Be ready for the mental strain... :) worthit though!!! :)
UPDATED FROM csujane08
3 days pre

Woke up yesterday morning with a sniffle! I'm so...

csujane08
Woke up yesterday morning with a sniffle! I'm so upset about it... Today I have a full-on cold. No sore throat or fever so I'm loading up on netflix, fluids and Mucinex and praying that I won't have to push my surgery back!

Replies (6)

User Avatar
February 23, 2013
I was loading my immune system with airborn so afraid I was going to get sick!!!
User Avatar
February 23, 2013
Hope you feel better soon :)
February 24, 2013
Thank you!... Ps. I was looking at your new girls earlier and I think they're fabulous! If they are uneven, I hope they settle in. The shape is lovely and from the front the difference really is hard to notice!
User Avatar
February 23, 2013

You tell your story so well! Thanks immensely for sharing. From what I've read, a cold shouldn't be a big deal as long as you don't have a fever, vomiting or major cough/respiratory distress. Here's what some doctors say about going into surgery with a cold.

Please keep us posted!

February 24, 2013
Thank you so much for the link... I'm resting a little easier after reading. I REALLY do not want to reschedule (I'm very optimistic that I will be alright on Tuesday), but I know it's for the best if the docs say nay ]=
February 24, 2013
I'm so glad I came across your review! You do tell your story very well. We are about the same age and I can completely relate to your locker room horror story! I am also having a two step procedure to fix my severe asymmetry. I will be getting a lift and reduction of 300 ccs to the bigger side and 3 months later, implants. I can imagine how excited you were to hear that you are finally getting the surgery! It will feel so amazing just to feel normal you know? You can check out my story if you want. I haven't scheduled a date yet but I really hope to do it next month. Good luck with everything! :)
UPDATED FROM csujane08
1 day pre

Called in to the scheduling center, my surgery is...

csujane08
Called in to the scheduling center, my surgery is set for 12:30 tomorrow and my cold is clearing up for the most part! I wish my time was earlier so I wouldn't have all morning to freak myself out!

Replies (3)

February 25, 2013
I can almost feel your excitement, I am so happy for you! Make sure you keep us updated! Good luck tomorrow! One HUGE step closer, yay! :)
User Avatar
February 26, 2013
Just take the meds they prescribed pre surg!! Congrats!!!! Keep us updated!!!!
February 26, 2013
Thank you girls!!