POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews REVIEWS
27 Years Old, 34F/G, Can't Wait for my Back to Stop Hurting! Kalispell, MT
ORIGINAL POST
I JUST found out that my insurance company is...
maxtenDecember 13, 2014
$2,500
I JUST found out that my insurance company is going to cover a breast reduction. I've been lurking on this site for months (you all are so inspiring!) and based on your experiences with insurance companies, I thought it was going to be much more of a rigmarole than it was. I want to detail the process here, because I know I wanted all the details when I was going through the process.
I had my GP write me a letter recommending a BR back in August, and had my first consultation with a different PS in September. The letter basically just said that I weigh 147 lb and I have back problems and that my breast size was a 34F. After my consultation, the people at the desk said they would be writing a letter to my insurance company and that it would take 2 weeks to hear back. About 2 weeks later, the PS office called and said that my surgeon had left the practice and that I needed to have another consultation with the other surgeon. I couldn't get in until January, nearly 3 months away. I researched other surgeons in my area (I live in Montana and "my region" is pretty huge) and found Dr. Buchele in Kalispell, just two hours away. I scheduled a consultation with him at the beginning of November, and it was a really good experience. It took 5 weeks to hear back from the company, but they are covering it! No need to see a PT or anything. So surprised. As far as I know, all that was in my file was the photos my PS took, the PS letter, and the simple letter from the GP.
Anyway, I'll be calling on Monday to schedule a surgery. I'd like to do it in February. Hoping for a C cup, which seems like a pretty average hope. My PS managed my expectations about how small I could get, so I'm working with that info. I am, however, more concerned with being too big after rather than two small.
My main worries are complications, so I'm definitely going to be really healthy, eat clean, and work out so I'm as strong as I can be before going under the knife. Did anyone else clean up their lifestyle before surgery? Did you feel like it helped?
I had my GP write me a letter recommending a BR back in August, and had my first consultation with a different PS in September. The letter basically just said that I weigh 147 lb and I have back problems and that my breast size was a 34F. After my consultation, the people at the desk said they would be writing a letter to my insurance company and that it would take 2 weeks to hear back. About 2 weeks later, the PS office called and said that my surgeon had left the practice and that I needed to have another consultation with the other surgeon. I couldn't get in until January, nearly 3 months away. I researched other surgeons in my area (I live in Montana and "my region" is pretty huge) and found Dr. Buchele in Kalispell, just two hours away. I scheduled a consultation with him at the beginning of November, and it was a really good experience. It took 5 weeks to hear back from the company, but they are covering it! No need to see a PT or anything. So surprised. As far as I know, all that was in my file was the photos my PS took, the PS letter, and the simple letter from the GP.
Anyway, I'll be calling on Monday to schedule a surgery. I'd like to do it in February. Hoping for a C cup, which seems like a pretty average hope. My PS managed my expectations about how small I could get, so I'm working with that info. I am, however, more concerned with being too big after rather than two small.
My main worries are complications, so I'm definitely going to be really healthy, eat clean, and work out so I'm as strong as I can be before going under the knife. Did anyone else clean up their lifestyle before surgery? Did you feel like it helped?
maxten's provider
Replies (5)
December 14, 2014
Hi friend, please think long and hard before you go under the knife. You are 27 and from the pics you posted you are in great shape. Your breast are not bad at all. Please decide before you go in what type of incision you will be comfortable with. T, anchor or lollipop, please check your doctors history and ask for referrals don't be shy. After all if he screws up you will have to live with it. The insurance company won't pay for corrections. Find out what your end results will be and make sure he communicates with you. What you are about to do is going to change the course of your life, for better or for worse. So do your homework! Your beautiful already make sure your doing this for the right reasons. Make sure your ailments are breast related there are different things associated with back problems, sciatica, weight, slipped disc and more. I'm 4 weeks post op and my surgery was extremely necessary, I'm 43 and I went from a 36G to a 36B but I come from a family with extremely large breast my waist is 34 so you can imagine how I look. My breast were not proportionate at all, my lower half is small my boobs out of control. Looking at these cuts its hard but I'm 43 I have my mate no plans for change. But you, your 27 and you still have a few more quest I say that with love...lol think long and hard before you make that change good luck sweetie.
December 20, 2014
Congratulations! I am a 36J and plan on going through my insurance. I have 2 appts next week. Thanks for the information about having the PCP to write a recommendation letter. Did they give you the letter or was it kept inyour chart. Which insurance do you have?
January 2, 2015
I have western mutual. My pcp gave me the letter and I brought it to my consultation, and my ps put it in my chart. How did your appts go?
April 18, 2015
Hello. Dr. Buchele also preformed my BR opperation. I had surgery on April 6th 2015 so far healing is going great and pain is nearly gone.
Now that it had been some time for you how do you feel about your reduction?
UPDATED FROM maxten
1 month pre
How long before I can be active again?
maxtenDecember 14, 2014
Barring any complications of course. I know it will take time, but I'm wondering how long you ladies had to wait before you could work out after surgery? I don't want to push it, I just know that I'm antsy and grumpy when I can't exercise.
Replies (5)
December 14, 2014
I would ask my PS each dr is different. Aw I can't wait for your back not to hurt either! I had a breast lift & augmentation, but my PS didn't allow me to workout for a couple of months or so. I'm so glad that your insurance is going to help u out!! :) all my best xoxo
December 15, 2014
Congratulations on your insurance coverage! I'm just about 2 weeks po and already super happy with this decision. Definately check with your Dr on returning to activity. I'm a super active person and it's been tough to just cool it for a few weeks. You'll start to feel better but once you get up and start moving around you'll get tired very quickly. I'm cleared to start light exercise (stationary bike) at 2 weeks. Best of luck to you.
January 13, 2015
I started running again at 7 weeks post op. At the recommendation of my surgeon, I wear two sports bras for now to minimize movement. I inspect my incisions after each run. There has been some pain and swelling but nothing too serious. Just be careful and use good judgment. Best of luck to you.
UPDATED FROM maxten
1 month pre
What were your experiences communicating with PS?
maxtenDecember 19, 2014
All this week, I've been frustrated with the fact I haven't been able to connect with the surgeon's office. They are supposed to get back to me with my surgery date, and I'm feeling impatient because I need to make arrangements with work, etc. Last time I spoke to the assistant, it sounded like I wouldn't even see my PS until surgery day, and I said that worried me because I want to make sure I clearly communicate my hopes for my results, and they said they could schedule me in for an appt the day before my surgery (sounds like it will be Feb.) I found some pictures on this site and saved them in a document. How did your communications with you PS's go?
Replies (1)
December 19, 2014
I hear your frustration! I'm 1 week PO and I actually met my PS twice. Once in his office in July......and then 15 minutes before surgery (last week)
I was so concerned that I didn't have much communication with him. Turns out, I think, its my own anxiety. My PS is going to do the same BR on me that he has done 1000s of times.....I told him initially that I wanted to be in the C-cup range (doesn't everyone?) Also, my PS is the head of plastic surgery at a teaching hospital, so anytime I have had issues I've been able to speak with a doc...
For them, it is business as usual.....for us, it is WAY more personal.
You are about to feel a whole bunch better! This was a total life changing event for me when I went through the process. Keep us up to date on every step of the journey.