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27 Y/o, No Kids Going from Fs to Ds - Denver, CO

UPDATED FROM jewlz912
21 days post

3 weeks post-op

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jewlz912
WORTH IT$2,900
Ok, it's been 3 weeks and I'm still really sore. It probably doesn't help that the cat jumped on one of my boobs yesterday. All of the tape is off, so I'm happy about that, but now my nipples seem really sensitive. They're more painful now that the tape isn't protecting them. And little stitches are starting to come out. I was really freaked out at first because I had these tough black spots that I thought were stitches. But as they softened after showering and I started picking at them I think it was just scabbing around the stitches, which are really light and white.

Otherwise it's not too bad, I'm just impatient for them to feel normal. And as the swelling goes down I'm hoping some things about them change. The left has some sagging at the middle incision that I don't like, and I think he could have made my nipples higher. BUT they're easily half the size they used to be and I don't have back pain anymore. So I'm very happy, just noticing the small things.

jewlz912's provider

Dr McDowell

Replies (4)

October 26, 2016
In one sense the nipple sensitivity is a good thing - as it shows that you haven't lost all sensation, which can happen. As for the rest, you look really even, so I'd say Dr Brad did a good job there.
December 17, 2016
Ohhhh my god. Did it really cost you under $3,000?!? That's incredible. My partner is from Colorado, we moved there in July. I'm English and it's $10,000+ on average! LIGHT AT END OF TUNNEL!
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December 17, 2016
It was a little over, like $3,100 something. And then we got a "professional bill" for just the surgeon and anesthesiologist that was $1200. We weren't expecting that but they put us on a payment plan. But yeah, still half of what it would be without insurance. :)
December 18, 2016
So for everything is was $4300? I don't get what the $3100 could have been for, if it didn't include the surgeon's fee and anesthesiologist.

I signed up for a Kaiser plan starting Jan 1st. Going to get the process in motion as soon as possible after that.
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January 23, 2017
Sorry, just seeing this. The $3100 was the hospital bill. Since it was done at St Joe's, not the Kaiser building. The professional fees came separate from Kaiser because they work for Kaiser, not St Joes. I still wish they had told us that before the surgery, but it makes sense to me now.
January 24, 2017
Thanks for getting back to me, It's helpful, and I really appreciate it, as there's not much about Kaiser on here.

I talked about the surgery with my PCP last week, and she's sending me to physical therapy for six weeks before giving me a referral to a surgeon. I guess I'm ok with that, especially if they can give me some exercises that help my shoulders.

I wonder if all he surgeries are done at St Joe's now rather than at the Kaiser building? I guess that's something I'll need to look into when things get a little further along.
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January 24, 2017
Mine came down to availability. My original surgery date was going to be at Kaiser, and when it got moved up that particular day was scheduled at st Joe's. So I think it just depends on how they schedule it. And where your surgeon is scheduled to be that day.
January 23, 2017
Hi, are you overall happy with Dr McDowell? Any updates? I just got Kaiser and am starting the journey to get surgery this summer. It's a little scary as its hard to find info on their surgeons.
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January 23, 2017
I tried to be pretty specific about his care in my review. He's very straight forward and knowledgeable, but isn't going to be your best friend. In general I felt very comfortable having him work on me, but this was an emotional procedure for me, and I wish he saw it that way. But it's his job, and he did great work.
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January 25, 2017
Tamarash - I had my BR done through Kaiser too. I had the same concerns about not being able to review the surgeons work. Luckily all went well and I'm very happy with my results. You can check out my review for more details :)
UPDATED FROM jewlz912
15 days post

2 weeks post-op

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jewlz912
These last couple weeks have been up and down. I only took a week off of work so going back was hard. I was only taking ibuprofen the last few days I had off, and going back reverted me to the Norco they gave me at the hospital. I had to ice a lot too. After 3 days of normal shifts I was pretty miserable, but what can you do.

These past couple days have been good though. I'm still sore and bruised a little, but everything seems to be healing nicely. I have one pokey stitch under lefty, but my husband told me not to worry about it. I have another post-op appointment in 2 weeks so if it's still there I'll tell them about it. I still have some steri-tape around my nipples and I think one per side underneath. They don't really bother me but I want them off so I can see my nipples properly.

My biggest annoyance is the sides of my breasts. That's where the bruising is the worst for me, and small movements of my arms will hit them just enough to hurt. But I haven't even needed to ice them in several days. It's still hard to shower but not impossible. It just hurts to reach up to get my products and bend down to wash my legs. I can wash my hair but by the time I get out of the shower I'm too tired to do anything with it. I'm getting used to sleeping on my back, and it's actually really comfy on my neck.

And most excitingly, I went to Victoria's Secret and got fitted! It wasn't at all what I was expecting, but what they put me in fit great. She measured me at a 34DDD at first and then said my sister size would be a 36DD. They wanted to put me in the 36 first because of the surgery, and it fit great. I got their wireless Body by Victoria style. They pulled some push ups for me and the extra padding just wasn't comfortable. I think I'm still a little swollen on the sides so the ones I got will fit even better in a few weeks, and eventually I can try on the cute stuff!

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UPDATED FROM jewlz912
2 days post

After pictures!!

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jewlz912
My post-op appointment went very well. The nurse took off all of my bandages and everything looks good! She was amazed by how even I am. So in the one picture it looks like the one is bigger, but I think that's just from awkwardly taking a selfie of my chest. I woke up a little dizzy this morning so she told me to alternate the Norco the gave me and ibuprofen. Seems to be working so far. I'm definitely getting the nipple zaps already and I have sensation in both of them. I am beyond happy with how they look!!!! I was worried about them coming out to the sides but they don't. They are completely perfect.

She changed my bra and told me I still might discharge a little bit, and that it's mostly saline but it'll look like blood because it's getting mixed with blood. So when I took these I noticed that the new bra is a little bloody looking, but I'm not worried since she told me to expect it. I plan on grabbing a comfy bra or two tonight because these surgical ones come up so high. I don't want to try any on because of the discharge, but it looks like I'm a D now, and I just want some stretchy ones. I'm still planning on going to a wedding tomorrow so I'd like to be able to wear a dress, and preferably a bra that doesn't come up to my collarbone. :P

I have had the best support system since the surgery. I had a good friend come over yesterday for a few hours. She had a reduction several years ago and was impressed that I was up and walking around. And my bestie is coming over tonight and is bringing dinner. I feel so loved.

Anyway I just have a little bruising underneath and they're still pretty sore on top. But day to day seems pretty easy. Just relaxing and taking it slow. Thanks for all the love!!

Replies (2)

October 8, 2016
You look great! Dr. McDowell did a wonderful job! And I'm glad recovery seems to be going so smoothly for you.
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October 8, 2016
Thank you!! It really has. It's hard to let other people do things for me, but my husband and mom are more than willing to help. My comfort bending down and reaching out or up isn't great, but they can see when I'm taking it slow and know when to step in.
October 11, 2016
Hope recovery is still going well... Can I ask you a question about cost? AT the top you wrote $3300, and I'm trying to figure out if that's the full fee, or just the part that you are responsible for paying. I'm asking because the Kaiser plan I'll get in January says I have to pay 20% for outpatient surgery, and I'm trying to guess how much that might be in actual dollars.
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January 2, 2017
I have Kaiser (in Calif.) and I only paid copays -- like $15 each visit.