32, 5' 7", 36DDD - Breast Reduction - Nashville, TN

I've been embarrassed about my chest size for as long as I can remember. All of the women on both sides of my family are very large in the chest area, and I can remember praying when I was in 3rd grade that I would never be that big. My mom caught me mid-prayer, and she informed me that I was pretty much out of luck in that area. In high school, people always commented on my size. I was an athlete (cheerleading & volleyball) and very active in almost any organization I could be. So I was exposed to a lot of people. Guys made comments, and girls spread rumors. (Needless to say, I was glad to be out of high school!) This continued through college. I started competing in the Miss America Organization, and I could never find anything that fit.

I've struggled with back, neck, and shoulder pain for the last 15 years. I can't find bras that fit. I hate shopping. I refuse to wear swimming suits, and the ones I DO own get laughed at by my friends. People tell me, "You'd look so much skinnier, but your boobs are SO big." Nothing fits well, and I've hidden my body as much as I could for the past ten years or so in loose, baggy clothing. I hate how I look in pictures, and I hate how much pain I've been in for so long. I've tried physical therapy, chiropractors, NSAIDs, 2 years of weekly massage therapy, "proper" support... You name it, I've tried it.

I've talked about getting a breast reduction since I was 14. When I started dating my husband, I told him I WAS going to have this procedure at some point. What a sweet man... He says he wants me to do what makes me happy. So, finally, when I realized I would be meeting my out-of-pocket maximum on a sinus surgery in March ($4,000 in 3 months. Ouch.), I decided to talk to my PCP. With her encouragement and a promise of a supportive letter to my insurance company, I started researching everything. The procedure. The recovery. Pictures of others who've had the procedure and their results. (NOTE: I'm pretty conservative, so I really had a rough time with the pictures at first. My husband thinks it's so funny that I constantly have the weirdest pictures pulled up on my MacBook...) I started researching what it would take to get covered by insurance. I spent HOURS on this website (A big thank you to everyone who chooses to share! It makes me feel less alone!). I contacted my insurance company to see what they'd tell me about requirements.

Then, I started putting my own file together. Based on what I'd read here, on the internet, and what I'd gathered from other individuals who'd been covered, I knew I needed to walk into this with any and all forms of documentation and support I could. I reached out to a previous chiropractor to ask him to write a letter. I retrieved my records from my time with Jenny Craig (to document that, even after a 40 lb weight loss, I hadn't lost anything in the chest). My ENT wrote me a letter regarding my mentioning my neck, back, shoulder pain/headaches. My PCP ended up writing a letter. I also took it upon myself to write a 3 page letter, documenting why it was vital and medically necessary for me to have the procedure. (I'm not sure if that's of interest to anyone, but I'd be happy to share if you're looking for ideas for building your own file for insurance purposes.) I put everything together in a binder, and I made several copies of the packet.

I reached out to 7 plastic surgeons that I'd decided met the requirements I was looking for in the middle Tennessee area.

The first I visited is a PS who had done a coworker's procedure. I took one step inside and looked at the stains on the carpet and the decor and knew I just didn't feel comfortable. The PS was a little rough, in my opinion. We met in his office with a nurse present. He asked me what size I wanted to be, then he told me to lift up my shirt. I looked at the nurse, then at him... It was a very awkward first experience. I didn't really know what to expect, but I did not expect his direct "just lift up your shirt" manner. Another nurse took me to a different room, asked me to take my top/bra off, and took pictures on a very old digital camera. It all seemed very rushed, and I left knowing that I would NOT be contacting that office again.

The next PS had done a different coworker's procedure. I walked into her office and immediately was impressed. It was clean, modern, and the staff was friendly and helpful. The nurse came to greet me with a computer in hand. She took my history and asked some questions about what I was wanting and expecting. She gave me a little paper vest and asked me to undress, putting the vest on. I'm not sure why that little paper vest made all the difference in the world to me, but I immediately felt more comfortable with the whole idea of so many people seeing what only my husband sees! The doctor came in, and she was very professional. She told me that I was an excellent candidate for the procedure. And while I probably wouldn't be able to get to my wished-for 36B, but she thought a 36C would be possible. Her nurse took me to another room after taking pictures, and she discussed what would happen when they contacted the insurance and also what my out-of-pocket would be if I were denied by insurance. I gave the nurse the information/documentation I'd collected, and I told her my ultimate decision would be based upon insurance coverage and a PS that would fight for me. Overall, the experience was really great.

The third PS I visited was really great as well. It's located inside the hospital very close to where I live. The receptionist was warm and friendly. She led me back to a small room where I watched a 10 minute-ish video. While the video was incredibly outdated, the receptionist had warned me, so I didn't mind! I then met with another nurse who took my history, asked questions, etc. They were so kind and very calming. This is such a weird and awkward process for most people, and my experience has been no different. They also gave me a paper vest (I'm telling you- it makes all the difference) to wait in while I was waiting for the PS to come in. I was measured, etc., and the PS (once again) said I was an excellent candidate. He told me he was impressed by my research and my preparedness. I felt very comfortable with him, and I honestly didn't expect to because he was male. And, yes, I know how terrible that sounds. The receptionist told me on the way out that the PS is always willing to do peer-to-peer reviews with the doctor from the insurance companies and that they'd had pretty good luck with insurance companies in the past. All three places did inform me that they'd seen a HUGE decrease in coverages for the procedure over the past couple of years, and that most people will get denied at least once or twice before they get approved. The receptionist said that I could always try to lose weight and reapply if that happened. I waited until I got to my car to cry. By my insurance company's standards (amount needing to be removed), I'd need to lose 40 lbs. And, honestly, I don't know that I have 40 lbs to lose.

All three practices told me it would be 4-6 weeks before I'd hear from my insurance company. So, I spent at least five days just terrified that I wasn't going to get approved. And I'd have little flutters of hope where I'd get on Pinterest and look for things I'd be able to wear post-BR. On a whim, I contacted my insurance company via their site's chat feature to ask them if they'd received the materials from the second PS. The agent said that they hadn't, but they HAD received the materials from the third PS, and that my approval letter was going out that day (6 days after I'd visited the 3rd PS). I had to get clarification, "Wait. So I've been approved??" The agent must have thought I couldn't read. "Yes, the approval letter." The next day (yesterday), I requested a copy of the letter be sent to me via email. Once I had it in my hands, I cried. My coworkers who've had the procedure hugged me and cried with me. They understood.

I called the office today to schedule my procedure for May 9th, but I have to put a $150 deposit down to reserve my day. The receptionist said they want to make sure people are "serious." Even though I've hit my out-of-pocket max through insurance, the PS office said I won't get my deposit back until after insurance has paid for my procedure. So that's frustrating. I don't exactly have $150 hanging around, but I'm going to make it happen by Friday.

So, that's where I am. I'm so excited. I wish it were sooner, but I just can't take a week off of work until that date. Too much going on.

One of my good friends asked if I was nervous or if I thought I'd regret it. I didn't even have to think twice. NO. I've wanted this for so, so long.

I didn't want to ever post. I wasn't sure anyone would really find my experience interesting. But, it's helped me so much that I thought that maybe it would help someone out there.

To all of you who have gone through the procedure or are going through it, I need advice.
-What do I need for after my surgery?
-Any tips for scars?
-Anything I should do before surgery?
-Any tips for helping recovery?
-Basically: WHAT DO I NEED TO BUY, LADIES?!

I'm so, so excited. Anyone else out there going through this right now?

Well, I scheduled my surgery for May 9th! Three weeks to go. I purchased some things over the weekend and made my own drain pockets too. (Thank goodness for fabric glue!) I'm so excited about this procedure. I'm not sure how I'm going to survive the next few weeks. I just want it to be here already.

My pre-op appointment is scheduled for next Wednesday. Any tips on questions I should ask my PS?

Not feeling comfortable enough to take pics without clothes, so I've included a few to show how I've tried to mask my size. I was horrified when I got my wedding pictures back and saw what I looked like that day. I cried.