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

POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

I have to say everything with my actual breast reduction is doing so wonderfully well. - 3 weeks post op - Lufkin, TX

ORIGINAL POST

I am in the process of trying to get it approved...

User Avatar
TX31
WORTH IT

I am in the process of trying to get it approved through my insurance. I applied last June and got my approval in October but found I was pregnant so I could not get it done by the approval date. I reapplied last month after the birth of my son and I got a letter today saying I'm approved but they only give me six weeks to get it done from the date of the letter. Also I am confused because it stated in the first approval that I was approved for 19318 REDUCTION MAMMAPLATY 2 Times and the new letter states 1 Time. It aslo stated Total Services Covered 2 on the expired letter and new one states Total Services Covered 1. Does this mean they are only going to cover for one breast to be reduced? What has been your expirence?

TX31's provider

William D. Strinden, MD

William D. Strinden, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

TX31

TX31 rating for Dr. Strinden:

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 (11)

August 9, 2012

Oh my goodness the read tape!!!!   I would just pick up the phone and call them.  These things can be confusing and you really need to hear this first hand rather than trying to figure out the wording in the document.  

Keep at it and you will get there!!

August 10, 2012
Aetna is who i have. I hope it gets cleared up....for u and me both. i'm still waiting on my approval.
User Avatar
August 14, 2012
I hope you get it soon! It took them 4 months to respond the first time.
August 10, 2012

Congratulations on your baby, TX31! And good luck figuring out that approval letter! I'm with Kimmers. Give them a call and find out what it means and then you can move forward. Would you be able to have it done in the next six weeks?
User Avatar
August 14, 2012
Thank you! My job did have the calendar open for me to take off. Just scary that it's happening this fast. I mean I've been wanting this done for 10 years but now that it's here it's overwhelming.
August 15, 2012

The nerves are normal as it gets closer to time. But the results are so worth it! And the pre-op jitters are the worst of the whole thing!
August 13, 2012
Hi, TX31. I also have Aetna. My approval letter (only had one letter) says "2 Times(s)" and I had the same question you did - if it had said one, does that mean only one breast?! If you don't feel like calling the insurance company (not sure how long it takes to get to a person as I've never tried), you could always call your PS - he should know what that means.

Good luck!!
User Avatar
August 14, 2012
Wow i hope everyone gets it worked out i never went threw this i just went in and they checked me out and said you definatly are a canidate for a BR and then he scheduled me but i hope you guys find your anwers good luck and god bless... keep in touch when you find your surgery date.....
User Avatar
August 14, 2012
I went in 2001 to a PS and he said I was definitely a candidate but my insurance denied me at that time. That's why it has taken me so long to get the courage to try again.
UPDATED FROM TX31

Sorry ladies I haven't been on my computer in...

User Avatar
TX31
Sorry ladies I haven't been on my computer in awhile and finally figured out how to do this on my phone. I had my surgery on Sept 11th. I chose the wrong hospital though. There was an accident during surgery. My PS accidentally sliced the top of my breast while removing tissue. He was working with a guy in the OR he had never worked with before and when he asked him to retract the skin he put pressure instead causing the slice. Then when they were taking off the operating table I woke up in pain screaming cause they left the catheter attached to the OR table. The nurse that was in charge that night came in and removed the IV hook-up but didn't cap off my IV. Thank God my mom was staying with me. I got up to go to the bathroom and she saw the blood coming out of my IV. I was bleeding all over the place. The PS came in at 6:30 the next morning to change my dressings and discharge me. The morning nurse came in and stated she would be discharging me in an hour and gave me my last bag of antibiotic. I called the nurses station a few minutes later cause it burned so bad. She came back and said it was intravenous and would come back in a few minutes to remove it. 3 hours passed and still no nurse. I pressed the call button and asked them to come remove the IV. Twenty minutes later some one pokes in and asked what I needed I told her and she walked out. At 12:30 my husband grabs a student nurse in the hall and tells he needs bandage cause he's taking out my IV. The student comes back and does it. My hand is so swollen I can't bend any of my fingers. My husband told them they had 20 minutes to discharge me or we were walking out. The nurse finally came back.

Replies (13)

October 1, 2012
omg. that is insane.
October 1, 2012
What a disaster! I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that! The slice on top of your breast - how's that? Is it going to cause a scar? How are you feeling now?
User Avatar
October 2, 2012
It's still open and healing. He took the stitches out after 6 days and the weight of the breast opened back up. I'll post a picture if it. Other than that I'm doing really good. I only have a spot on each T junction that hasn't healed but I guess that's normal.
October 2, 2012
Wow, your pictures look really great! Everything BR-related looks like it is healing very well - minor bruising that's fading. How's the swelling? Most of the stories I have read on here say the T-junction is the last to finally close up so I would say that is normal. I will find out when I will actually start scar treatment on Friday at my follow-up (should have been scheduled for yesterday but I had forgotten I have a dental appointment tomorrow at the same time). She said we would talk about scar treatment and I guess she will tell me if I am healed enough to really start. Everything I have read says you shouldn't start until all incisions are completely closed to help prevent bacterial infections. Keep your chin up because you look awesome! :D
October 2, 2012
Dummy me. I meant it should have been scheduled for tomorrow, not yesterday...
User Avatar
October 2, 2012
When do you start scar treatment?
User Avatar
October 2, 2012
So sorry to hear that they cut the top of your breast during surgery! That is awful. My prayers go out to you and hope that you are healing well. Please keep us updated.
October 2, 2012
i hope u don't have to pay for the scar treatment. im sorry your having to deal with all this crap:(
User Avatar
October 2, 2012
I hope not too. He didn't say either way just that he would have to excise it and pull it back together. The first day he said hopefully it would heal up to be a thin line but that didn't happen.
UPDATED FROM TX31

Last night I was checking the slice and felt a...

User Avatar
TX31
Last night I was checking the slice and felt a lump running from it to the top of my nipple. Is this normal? I tried researching online freaking out and found all different kinds of answers to what it might be. I'm hoping it's just scar tissue. I really wish the PS would have given me some paperwork that told you what you could expect and what you should do in different cases.

Replies (6)

October 2, 2012
if i were you i would call his office and see what he says!. shame your planned reduction is doing fine.and theyre slip is causing you stress!! i would call right now.and ease your mind. looking on the internet will raise your fears to think the worst. good luck!! you look great by the way!!. xoxo
User Avatar
October 3, 2012
Thank you!
User Avatar
October 2, 2012
You didn't have a very good experience with that hospital but on a positive note your boobs look great!! If mine end up like that I will be so happy! Hope you feel ok in general, phone your surgeon's office and make an appoinment to see him so that you can show the slice. All the best! xx
User Avatar
October 3, 2012
Thank you! Sometimes when I shower I'll put a water shield bandage it makes it the same color of my skin and they do look good in the mirror. It's sad how the eyes focus on the flaws. I'm going in the morning to let him look at it.
October 2, 2012
what size were you? and what did you down to?
User Avatar
October 3, 2012
I was a DDD and should be a full C I still fit in some D's though.