Waiting, Approved, Ready for my Reduction - Dallas, TX

Hello world :). First I want to thank everyone - and I do mean everyone for posting your experience...now it's time to share mine.

I have suffered back pain for a few years. I am 30 and have no children. I wanted to wait until I married/had kids but who knows when that will happen lol. Anyway, I need relief. I have considered a BR for over a year. If you are thinking about having a reduction read on and check out the other experiences. I am sure most of you can relate to the saying(s): I didn't realize how large my chest was, I didn't realize I was uncomfortable or in as much pain. I can definitely say that I have gotten used to the pain & discomfort. I am 5'5 and weigh 220lbs...I know right.. I have always had a "chest/bust" even when my dress size was in the single digit range lol. My wake up call came when I was told that I am a DDD/E size. I gave up. I am going to give a brief rundown of my experience so far...


5/14/12
Watched a show called Embarrasing Bodies...Saw a lady with a large bust speak with the doctors about back pain and breast reduction (BR) options, I felt like it was a wake up call.

5/15/12
I go with my "gut" (instinct) and call a PS (plastic surg..) to see if I can get a consultation. The receptionist is very nice. She verified my insurance (in network), and set up an appointment for me to come in on Sat. 5/19....I'm thinking ok, too good to be true.

5/19/12
Consultation day. My only relief is wearing a sports bra. I check in, wait in my robe and say hello to the doctor when he comes in. He greets me, reviews my paperwork, and immediately discusses how the surgery will be performed, time frame for recovery, and the time frame for the day of surgery. I haven't opened my robe yet!!! I then tell him that I want my insurance company to cover the surgery. He says that it should not be a problem, and that I am a great canidate for the surgery. He made me feel comfortable, and took my measurements, and photos of my breasts to include with my pre-cert for the insurance company. I leave feeling like I'm on cloud 9 and sched a follow up appt for 2 wks later...

2 Weeks later...
The insurance company BlueCross Blue Shield has "not received" my paperwork from the doctor's office. I call the doctor's office and they explain they have forwarded everything to the insurance company. I continue calling both and agree to cancel my follow up appointment :( with the doctor.

-- Insurance woes...I wonder if it is me or if the people for the claims dept for BCBS (and Care First) really hate their jobs. I rcvd the same response "we have not rcvd anything from your doctor & you have a preferred PPO ... you don't need apprvl/pre-cert as long as it is "deemed" medically nec your claim will be reviewed and paid (hell no - I want confirmation just like the dr)... I even check the mailbox daily for my approval letter (it was really bad). It is funny that I realized how much pain I was in daily and ignoring it. I said that I would be patient and wait for the ins co to rcv my paperwork.

I continue to follow up with the ins co and my doctor's office.

I have purchased so many ice packs and keep taking aleve/pain meds to numb the pain. I notice pain from my upper-mid back, shoulders. I stop watching Nurse Jackie because I start dreaming about my BR surgery and pain meds...

6/21/12
I speak with a rep at my dr office - she tells me they sent my pw to the local BCBC location, and it was forwarded to pre-certification on 6/4. I am really starting to lose faith but keep my cool and tell her that I will follow up with the ins co.

Finally - 6/25/12
I follow my "gut" and call the ins co. I am again routed to pre-certification and speak with a friendly rep (for the 1st time). I explained when my doctor's office sent the paperwork. I ask if they need the dr office to resend the pw and the rep provides a fax # for their department. He explained that it could have been "routed to another department in error". I give the info to my dr office.

6/26/12
I rcvd a voice mail from the dr office stating that I am "approved". I was in so much shock I played the voicemail at least 8 times...

6/27/12
I scheduled my pre-op appt for 7/3. My tentative date for surgery is 7/27 (they will confirm this with the surgery center where I will have my BR).

so now that you have the timeline...keep the faith.

- here are a few things that I will verify 7/3 and keep you all posted on:

my out of pocket expense
how much my dr plans to remove *intially he advised I would be C cup (works for me)
the type of pain meds that I will be on
recovery time

surgical bras (do I get one or have to but it ... and can I purchase more than 1 if they provide it)

surgery prep (do I have to take an enema or anything like that) and what my cut off time is for my last meal before surgery

aftercare / post op

I cannot think of anything else but will keep you updated and will post photos of the before/after

Oh., I did verify that my doctor is a board certified PS before my consulation, and checked to see if there were claims and his ratings so far so good..

Peace & Blessings