POSTED UNDER Capsular Contracture Treatment Reviews
Silicone Above Muscle, Capsular Contracture, Grade III- 30yr old implants- Not Someone You’d Want to Invite to a Party Right Now
ORIGINAL POST
Aloha, fellow explanters. Decided it’s time f...
Aloha, fellow explanters.
Decided it’s time for me to come out of ‘lurking’ mode and reach out to this wonderful community.
To start with, I live in Hawaii and am finding the preliminaries for explanting a little challenging, due in part to the fact that there are no plastic surgeons that perform this type of surgery on the Big Island - which means, I have to fly to Oahu for the consultation and pre-op - as well as the actual surgery. This entails round trip flights, car rentals, and lodging. $$$
Also, I’m trying to get my insurance company to cover the surgery.
I know it’s a long shot, but my husband and I are retired and living on our savings right now. So I’m making an effort to get them to cough up coverage.
I’ve started the referral process here on the Big Island, and the doctor confirmed that my breasts are ‘hard’. I would goes so far as to dub them as Baker III’s.
I’ve documented the tenderness and pain that I’ve recently started experiencing in and around my breasts – as well as explaining that I cannot do mammograms due to the degree of capsular contracture.
So I’m hoping that BC/BS will see explanting as a medical necessity.
Add to that, my implants have been poaching on chest for about 30yrs. They are silicone, sub-glandular.
I’ve had a phone consultation with the surgeon that I’ve chosen, plus sent him photos, front, left and right.
He has been responsive and kind, and matches my preferences for technique as well.
So in that respect, I’ve jumped a hurdle.
However, I’m feeling pretty stressed most of the time as it seems the more I pursue getting these angry beavers off my chest, the more speed bumps land in front of me.
Meanwhile, I’m not sleeping well due to anxiety and a new limitation to my already limited sleeping positions.
I recently started feeling like an intense gas bubble was pressing on my chest near my heart whenever I tried to lie on my right side. Mind you, I can’t lie on my left side due to Eustachian tube dysfunction. It causes fluid build up in my inner ear that puts my head in a fish bowl with constant loud roaring.
I’ve monitored my heart during these episodes and there have never been signs of distress there. So this appears to be atypical chest-wall pain from what I can ascertain. And from what I’ve read, it’s not totally uncommon for a percentage of women with implants .. just uncommon for me. :/
Anyway, I now walk around feeling like my ‘check engine’ light is on, and am fearful the tires are about to fall off – so to speak.
I was debating as to whether I should just go ahead and pay for the operation out of my own money so as to forego any further delay. That is…until today. I was informed by a staff member that the surgeon is leaving on the 11th of this month (January) for 10 days.
Now even that option is gone. ? I can’t even be sure that I’ll get scheduled this month.
Well I’m going to stop openly feeling sorry for myself – at least for now.
I’ll just go off and fret by myself for a while.
trespetite
Decided it’s time for me to come out of ‘lurking’ mode and reach out to this wonderful community.
To start with, I live in Hawaii and am finding the preliminaries for explanting a little challenging, due in part to the fact that there are no plastic surgeons that perform this type of surgery on the Big Island - which means, I have to fly to Oahu for the consultation and pre-op - as well as the actual surgery. This entails round trip flights, car rentals, and lodging. $$$
Also, I’m trying to get my insurance company to cover the surgery.
I know it’s a long shot, but my husband and I are retired and living on our savings right now. So I’m making an effort to get them to cough up coverage.
I’ve started the referral process here on the Big Island, and the doctor confirmed that my breasts are ‘hard’. I would goes so far as to dub them as Baker III’s.
I’ve documented the tenderness and pain that I’ve recently started experiencing in and around my breasts – as well as explaining that I cannot do mammograms due to the degree of capsular contracture.
So I’m hoping that BC/BS will see explanting as a medical necessity.
Add to that, my implants have been poaching on chest for about 30yrs. They are silicone, sub-glandular.
I’ve had a phone consultation with the surgeon that I’ve chosen, plus sent him photos, front, left and right.
He has been responsive and kind, and matches my preferences for technique as well.
So in that respect, I’ve jumped a hurdle.
However, I’m feeling pretty stressed most of the time as it seems the more I pursue getting these angry beavers off my chest, the more speed bumps land in front of me.
Meanwhile, I’m not sleeping well due to anxiety and a new limitation to my already limited sleeping positions.
I recently started feeling like an intense gas bubble was pressing on my chest near my heart whenever I tried to lie on my right side. Mind you, I can’t lie on my left side due to Eustachian tube dysfunction. It causes fluid build up in my inner ear that puts my head in a fish bowl with constant loud roaring.
I’ve monitored my heart during these episodes and there have never been signs of distress there. So this appears to be atypical chest-wall pain from what I can ascertain. And from what I’ve read, it’s not totally uncommon for a percentage of women with implants .. just uncommon for me. :/
Anyway, I now walk around feeling like my ‘check engine’ light is on, and am fearful the tires are about to fall off – so to speak.
I was debating as to whether I should just go ahead and pay for the operation out of my own money so as to forego any further delay. That is…until today. I was informed by a staff member that the surgeon is leaving on the 11th of this month (January) for 10 days.
Now even that option is gone. ? I can’t even be sure that I’ll get scheduled this month.
Well I’m going to stop openly feeling sorry for myself – at least for now.
I’ll just go off and fret by myself for a while.
trespetite
trespetite's provider
Replies (5)
January 5, 2017
Hello.
You may be very little but you are important.
You're facing various challenges at the moment, and I am sorry you have so many and the list seems to be growing, so it's not at all surprising you have anxiety, and I think it's important you vent the anxiety, so keep posting here with your thoughts and concerns. No need to hit the wall, hit the keyboard instead.
You've certainly done your research, very well done, and started the process moving forwards. You've probably read what your particular insurance will and will not cover and if covered what's required to prove your case: as you've started collecting documentary proof you may already know what they want. Medical necessity sounds fairly reasonable. All I would add is that if you ask them anything you are unsure of, confirm exactly what they require for approval, provide them with the information as quickly as you can, you'll have done what you can on the insurance route. If you do what you can you may feel a little less anxious: you can do no more.
If it comes to funding some or all of the surgery privately, you'll no doubt weigh up the pros and cons and balance this against a dent in your retirement monies.
Whatever you decide I wish you well for now and for a successful outcome.
You may be very little but you are important.
You're facing various challenges at the moment, and I am sorry you have so many and the list seems to be growing, so it's not at all surprising you have anxiety, and I think it's important you vent the anxiety, so keep posting here with your thoughts and concerns. No need to hit the wall, hit the keyboard instead.
You've certainly done your research, very well done, and started the process moving forwards. You've probably read what your particular insurance will and will not cover and if covered what's required to prove your case: as you've started collecting documentary proof you may already know what they want. Medical necessity sounds fairly reasonable. All I would add is that if you ask them anything you are unsure of, confirm exactly what they require for approval, provide them with the information as quickly as you can, you'll have done what you can on the insurance route. If you do what you can you may feel a little less anxious: you can do no more.
If it comes to funding some or all of the surgery privately, you'll no doubt weigh up the pros and cons and balance this against a dent in your retirement monies.
Whatever you decide I wish you well for now and for a successful outcome.
January 6, 2017
Thank you kindly for your words of encouragement. It means a lot to me.
My husband is very supportive, but there is only so much I can pile on him.
Not being a woman, he can only look at this situation from the sidelines.
Also, he doesn't have breast implants - and boy am I grateful for that. :p
So there is only so much input he can provide.
Whereas the ladies here need little-to-no explanation, and can commiserate freely.
I will check out your thread soon.
My husband is very supportive, but there is only so much I can pile on him.
Not being a woman, he can only look at this situation from the sidelines.
Also, he doesn't have breast implants - and boy am I grateful for that. :p
So there is only so much input he can provide.
Whereas the ladies here need little-to-no explanation, and can commiserate freely.
I will check out your thread soon.
January 7, 2017
Welcome! You will find a ton of support on here. So I had Grade 4 CC and had capsulectomy and new implants 4 years ago. (I am now going to have explant and be done with them 2 weeks from now). My insurance covered the removal and capsulectomy - just not the new implants. It was through Affordable Care Act Obamacare) insurance. My doctor wrote a letter to the insurance company and said that I could not have mammograms and the implants were painful. I also have a family history of breast cancer, not sure how much that was part of the decision. I never dreamed they would cover it and was amazed when they did. So definitely worth pursuing.
Best wishes and keep us updated!
Best wishes and keep us updated!
January 7, 2017
Good for you Daylily, glad to hear your insurance is covering your explant.
I find it interesting (in a frustrating way) that most of the time, insurance companies use the excuse to deny coverage because, as they like to point out, breast implants are … elective.
Well smoking cigarettes is ‘elective’ too, but you don’t see them denying coverage for lung cancer, even when the patient clearly elected to smoke for years.
If a product is being offered to the public, and that product causes health problems, who should be held responsible when the proverbial goo hits the fan?
I think that that is a question which deserves a closer look.
To a certain degree, I can accept the argument that we are each responsible for our own choices. However, all too often our choices are based on negligent information in which the associated risks of a particular product are routinely downplayed by those who stand to profit.
Sadly, in these cases, the consumer is the one who pays - with damaged health and a dwindling bank account.
Too me, there is something innately wrong about this common practice.
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now. :/
I find it interesting (in a frustrating way) that most of the time, insurance companies use the excuse to deny coverage because, as they like to point out, breast implants are … elective.
Well smoking cigarettes is ‘elective’ too, but you don’t see them denying coverage for lung cancer, even when the patient clearly elected to smoke for years.
If a product is being offered to the public, and that product causes health problems, who should be held responsible when the proverbial goo hits the fan?
I think that that is a question which deserves a closer look.
To a certain degree, I can accept the argument that we are each responsible for our own choices. However, all too often our choices are based on negligent information in which the associated risks of a particular product are routinely downplayed by those who stand to profit.
Sadly, in these cases, the consumer is the one who pays - with damaged health and a dwindling bank account.
Too me, there is something innately wrong about this common practice.
Okay, I’ll get off my soapbox now. :/
January 8, 2017
My insurance paid last time but the insurance I have now isn't as good so I have to pay for my upcoming explant, but fortunately it's only about $2,500 so is a manageable cost. I hope that maybe your insurance will cover yours.
Your smoking analogy is right on. We literally sign our lives away with implants. The fine print says they aren't responsible for anything that goes wrong, including death. It also seems unfair that there is no judgement of women who have implants after cancer but those of us like me who have no breasts due to genetics are judged so harshly for wanting them, and then have no financial recourse when they need to be removed.
So true that the risks are downplayed and when complications happen they often blame it on the patient or say it's very rare. I have extensive nerve damage and loss of sensation and every PS I've seen has told me it's very rare and even acted like I was making it up. Well that's [RS bleep]. Lots of women on here have that complication. No PS participate in any research on complications so there are no real numbers - how convenient. Anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. Thank god for sites like these. When I had implants 25 years ago there was no Internet and no information anywhere about the risks. I just hope the stories we post can help some women decide not to get implants. Looking at some of their before photos makes me want to cry. They have beautiful breasts and somehow have been convinced they are not good enough. We are bombarded with images and misogny that convinces us we are not "hot" enough, not young enough, not valuable beyond our appearance. It's so hard to tune it out. And plastic surgeons take advantage of this to do a very lucrative business.
Your smoking analogy is right on. We literally sign our lives away with implants. The fine print says they aren't responsible for anything that goes wrong, including death. It also seems unfair that there is no judgement of women who have implants after cancer but those of us like me who have no breasts due to genetics are judged so harshly for wanting them, and then have no financial recourse when they need to be removed.
So true that the risks are downplayed and when complications happen they often blame it on the patient or say it's very rare. I have extensive nerve damage and loss of sensation and every PS I've seen has told me it's very rare and even acted like I was making it up. Well that's [RS bleep]. Lots of women on here have that complication. No PS participate in any research on complications so there are no real numbers - how convenient. Anecdotal evidence is overwhelming. Thank god for sites like these. When I had implants 25 years ago there was no Internet and no information anywhere about the risks. I just hope the stories we post can help some women decide not to get implants. Looking at some of their before photos makes me want to cry. They have beautiful breasts and somehow have been convinced they are not good enough. We are bombarded with images and misogny that convinces us we are not "hot" enough, not young enough, not valuable beyond our appearance. It's so hard to tune it out. And plastic surgeons take advantage of this to do a very lucrative business.
January 8, 2017
On the nose, Daylily!
You've just articulated what is stomping around in my head.
You've just articulated what is stomping around in my head.
January 8, 2017
Hi trespetite,
You don't say how old you are, so I'll just tell you my explant story. I am 66, 5'8", in good physical shape 135 lbs (forever, until I had them removed) and had my original silicone implants almost 30 years ago. My hopes at the time were to give me what I call a "meatier" chest. I have always been thin and bony through what I now know is called the upper pole of the chest. My implants were far too large 350cc and dropped and hardened almost right away. Fast forward to today, after several revisions, removals, re plants etc. I finally decided these hard weird baseballs needed a new home outside of MY body. I also joined RealSelf, researched, listened, and then decided that I should remove-NEVER to be talked into "small revisional upper pole implants" again... I have now explanted, had a lift, which is very invasive surgery, BUT I knew that the way my thin skin had stretched through the almost 36 years, I probably would never find my nipples again under the ensuing fold left after surgery. So, I am so incredibly happy to have it all over with at one time, even though it was a tough recuperation and has left me with scars, but I also now have my very own soft, warm, touchable, comfortable-sleeping in any position breasts back. Plus my husband loves them! Goodness knows why we make these choices. However, I would love to do a circuit talk with all those, especially young girls, who haven't considered what will happen to their bodies when they start to age...I did it though, so I would never throw the first stone. When I see some of the before pictures posted here, I think, oh my, how I would love to have had those beautiful REAL breasts!!
You don't say how old you are, so I'll just tell you my explant story. I am 66, 5'8", in good physical shape 135 lbs (forever, until I had them removed) and had my original silicone implants almost 30 years ago. My hopes at the time were to give me what I call a "meatier" chest. I have always been thin and bony through what I now know is called the upper pole of the chest. My implants were far too large 350cc and dropped and hardened almost right away. Fast forward to today, after several revisions, removals, re plants etc. I finally decided these hard weird baseballs needed a new home outside of MY body. I also joined RealSelf, researched, listened, and then decided that I should remove-NEVER to be talked into "small revisional upper pole implants" again... I have now explanted, had a lift, which is very invasive surgery, BUT I knew that the way my thin skin had stretched through the almost 36 years, I probably would never find my nipples again under the ensuing fold left after surgery. So, I am so incredibly happy to have it all over with at one time, even though it was a tough recuperation and has left me with scars, but I also now have my very own soft, warm, touchable, comfortable-sleeping in any position breasts back. Plus my husband loves them! Goodness knows why we make these choices. However, I would love to do a circuit talk with all those, especially young girls, who haven't considered what will happen to their bodies when they start to age...I did it though, so I would never throw the first stone. When I see some of the before pictures posted here, I think, oh my, how I would love to have had those beautiful REAL breasts!!
January 8, 2017
Hi Kitch,
Well we have a few things in common then .. I too am 66 yrs. and have a rather bony upper chest.
I'm 5'4" and weigh about 108lbs.
I'm not sure how many cc's of silicon are hanging off my chest right now, but the number 350 comes to mind.
It’s good to hear that you've already tossed those 'hard, weird baseballs', and that you and your husband are pleased with the results.
I look forward to being able to say the same.
I'm not planning on getting a lift .. and I absolutely will not put a new set of plastic bags in my body ever again.
I would hope that women (young and older) who are trying to decide whether to get implanted or not, will read through the many posts written by those who have and wished they hadn't, before making their decision.
If only there had been an internet back when I was trying to decide. I probably would have backed away from the idea - quickly.
Well we have a few things in common then .. I too am 66 yrs. and have a rather bony upper chest.
I'm 5'4" and weigh about 108lbs.
I'm not sure how many cc's of silicon are hanging off my chest right now, but the number 350 comes to mind.
It’s good to hear that you've already tossed those 'hard, weird baseballs', and that you and your husband are pleased with the results.
I look forward to being able to say the same.
I'm not planning on getting a lift .. and I absolutely will not put a new set of plastic bags in my body ever again.
I would hope that women (young and older) who are trying to decide whether to get implanted or not, will read through the many posts written by those who have and wished they hadn't, before making their decision.
If only there had been an internet back when I was trying to decide. I probably would have backed away from the idea - quickly.
January 8, 2017
Thanks for replying and hope to hear that your progress with your journey turns out how you'd like it to. I probably should have looked into insurance coverage as well, but I felt like many others, it was elective on my part. Would be happy for you if you do indeed get your insurance to cover your costs! I also agree, had there been something like the net rather than my peers and male friends feelings of large breasts being the thing to have at the time to make you feel wanted and sexy, I too may never have chosen to have those poisonous sacs put into my body. Looking forward to seeing your postings. Namaste.
UPDATED FROM trespetite
26 days pre
Face-to-Face Consult Completed
Just a routine consultation .. right?
In my world, trying to explant is anything but ~ routine ~ and yesterday played out like the Action Thriller it was destined to be.
To start with, planning for the trip to the PS’s office took several days and multiple revisions. I originally planed going it alone in order to tame the cost - and the fact that our dog suffers terrible anxiety if we try to leave him, even for short periods of time.
So I booked my flight to the best of my ability, juggling and matching appointment availability along with a rather limited flight schedule to choose from - deciphering google maps, driving times, and a car rental.
After bouncing back and forth on all these points, it seemed I’d finally come up with a doable plan – albeit a little wobbly on its feet – then proceeded to lock down the reservations online.
Although a tendency toward obsessive behavior (when it comes to details) could be considered an affliction by some, there are times when it pays off. It’s just too bad that I didn’t carry through with that tendency before locking down the reservations .. or was it?
Going back over ‘the plan’ for the umpteenth time, as well as calling the airline and the car rental with some last minute grilling in order to avoid last minute disasters - I discovered a problem crouching behind the car rental desk. It would have foiled my chances of ever leaving the airport complex in time for my very-important-for-insurance-purposes consultation, thus pitching me into an expensive mishap.
Not owning a credit card (yes, there are a few people left in the world without one of those) I was informed that when my husband reserved a car in my name ‘online’ with his credit card, I automatically became ineligible for taking possession of said car.
After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, my husband turned to me and said compassionately, “Would you like me to go with you?”
My response was, of course, immediate and relief filled.
Following this scene, a mad rush to get-him-a-seat-on-the-same-plane-as-me, AND, find-someone-reliable-to-watch-our-somewhat-neurotic-yet-ever-so-lovable-husky-mix, scene ensue.
So in the bigger picture, my husband coming with me ended up being exactly what was needed - all along.
Cut to the day of the consult – from 5am until early evening, we were in what might be described as (mentioned earlier) an Action Thriller - complete with a nail biter scene at the airport.
So by the time we reached our destination, I was so deeply entrenched in keeping the threads of our schedule from unraveling, that from the moment the doctor opened the door to the moment we said our goodbyes, my mind had to struggle against the urge to push the consult along at the same pace as my nervous system – which by the way, was now approaching mock 1.
~~ In order to avoid writing a novelette here, I’ll conclude by saying that despite my nearly knocking the PS over on my way out of his office, the consult went very well with all indications pointing to this man being an experienced surgeon and a smart, likable person. He also said that I have a good case to present to Mr. & Mrs. Insurance. :)
This was the golden moment of our day, and we reveled in it as we watched the ocean and the islands passing under us on our return flight.
~~~ So now, I go into wait-and-see mode.
In my world, trying to explant is anything but ~ routine ~ and yesterday played out like the Action Thriller it was destined to be.
To start with, planning for the trip to the PS’s office took several days and multiple revisions. I originally planed going it alone in order to tame the cost - and the fact that our dog suffers terrible anxiety if we try to leave him, even for short periods of time.
So I booked my flight to the best of my ability, juggling and matching appointment availability along with a rather limited flight schedule to choose from - deciphering google maps, driving times, and a car rental.
After bouncing back and forth on all these points, it seemed I’d finally come up with a doable plan – albeit a little wobbly on its feet – then proceeded to lock down the reservations online.
Although a tendency toward obsessive behavior (when it comes to details) could be considered an affliction by some, there are times when it pays off. It’s just too bad that I didn’t carry through with that tendency before locking down the reservations .. or was it?
Going back over ‘the plan’ for the umpteenth time, as well as calling the airline and the car rental with some last minute grilling in order to avoid last minute disasters - I discovered a problem crouching behind the car rental desk. It would have foiled my chances of ever leaving the airport complex in time for my very-important-for-insurance-purposes consultation, thus pitching me into an expensive mishap.
Not owning a credit card (yes, there are a few people left in the world without one of those) I was informed that when my husband reserved a car in my name ‘online’ with his credit card, I automatically became ineligible for taking possession of said car.
After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, my husband turned to me and said compassionately, “Would you like me to go with you?”
My response was, of course, immediate and relief filled.
Following this scene, a mad rush to get-him-a-seat-on-the-same-plane-as-me, AND, find-someone-reliable-to-watch-our-somewhat-neurotic-yet-ever-so-lovable-husky-mix, scene ensue.
So in the bigger picture, my husband coming with me ended up being exactly what was needed - all along.
Cut to the day of the consult – from 5am until early evening, we were in what might be described as (mentioned earlier) an Action Thriller - complete with a nail biter scene at the airport.
So by the time we reached our destination, I was so deeply entrenched in keeping the threads of our schedule from unraveling, that from the moment the doctor opened the door to the moment we said our goodbyes, my mind had to struggle against the urge to push the consult along at the same pace as my nervous system – which by the way, was now approaching mock 1.
~~ In order to avoid writing a novelette here, I’ll conclude by saying that despite my nearly knocking the PS over on my way out of his office, the consult went very well with all indications pointing to this man being an experienced surgeon and a smart, likable person. He also said that I have a good case to present to Mr. & Mrs. Insurance. :)
This was the golden moment of our day, and we reveled in it as we watched the ocean and the islands passing under us on our return flight.
~~~ So now, I go into wait-and-see mode.
Replies (3)
January 11, 2017
Goodluck, I just got my breast augmentation.
January 13, 2017
* Oops .. I meant 'Mach 1'.
Sure wish there were some way to edit after posting. :/
Sure wish there were some way to edit after posting. :/
January 14, 2017
Hello
I'm so pleased your consultation went well and that your husband accompanied you. It sounds very promising on the insurance front, which will hopefully soon be a moral boosting yes, approved.
I'm not surprised the surgeon agreed with your case for insurance: after all, you did nearly knock him over/out on exiting his office.
Your update proved a fantastic read as I used to like both Magnum PI and Mission Impossible when they were TV series, oh just a few years ago. Poor you, but the rib tickling, nail biting was a hit for me.
What a fantastic view, no wonder you retired there.
I hope you receive approval soon and then that all associated with explantation happens at a somewhat less frenetic pace.
Keep looking after yourself.
I'm so pleased your consultation went well and that your husband accompanied you. It sounds very promising on the insurance front, which will hopefully soon be a moral boosting yes, approved.
I'm not surprised the surgeon agreed with your case for insurance: after all, you did nearly knock him over/out on exiting his office.
Your update proved a fantastic read as I used to like both Magnum PI and Mission Impossible when they were TV series, oh just a few years ago. Poor you, but the rib tickling, nail biting was a hit for me.
What a fantastic view, no wonder you retired there.
I hope you receive approval soon and then that all associated with explantation happens at a somewhat less frenetic pace.
Keep looking after yourself.
January 14, 2017
Writing has always been my way of sorting through and managing stress.
That someone might actually derive enjoyment in reading my mental spillage, is a bonus.
I just wish there were a way to clean up spelling and syntax on this site.
Somehow, 'errors' manage to blow past my radar screen - that is - until I post them. After which they seem to dance around with their tongues sticking out, knowing full well that I can’t ‘rearrange’, ‘correct’ or ‘delete’ them – thereby forcing me to ‘live’ with them.
… Such cunning.
So now that ‘Mission Impossible’ has proven ‘possible’, I’m now wading in slow motion through my home version of ‘Waiting for Godot’.
Godot = insurance verdict.
I so look forward to being able to focus on the beauty of our home instead of the pain in my body.
By-the-way, I attempted to find your review(s) but was unable to locate any. I would be interested in reading your story.
Mahalo for your kind support.
That someone might actually derive enjoyment in reading my mental spillage, is a bonus.
I just wish there were a way to clean up spelling and syntax on this site.
Somehow, 'errors' manage to blow past my radar screen - that is - until I post them. After which they seem to dance around with their tongues sticking out, knowing full well that I can’t ‘rearrange’, ‘correct’ or ‘delete’ them – thereby forcing me to ‘live’ with them.
… Such cunning.
So now that ‘Mission Impossible’ has proven ‘possible’, I’m now wading in slow motion through my home version of ‘Waiting for Godot’.
Godot = insurance verdict.
I so look forward to being able to focus on the beauty of our home instead of the pain in my body.
By-the-way, I attempted to find your review(s) but was unable to locate any. I would be interested in reading your story.
Mahalo for your kind support.
January 15, 2017
Hello
I hope your insurance verdict is somewhat more rapid and successful than Mr Albert and his companions meeting with Godot.
You've surmised well in that I haven't written a review. The reason is twofold. Firstly one of the girls at a horse riding stables I volunteer at was talking about how fat her tummy was and however much exercise she did that fat remained. I'd recently read an article in one of the broadsheets about vaser liposuction so could tell her about that but wanted to read more so I could be more helpful. Well, I came across this site and read there were various procedures for getting rid of tummy fat, and excess skin if that was an issue. Other girls I know have talked about the pain of heavy breasts (physical and emotional) and of discomfort when horse riding due to lady parts. Again this site has been informative. Secondly I would consider cosmetic surgery if it were available and affordable. I've thought of having my ears pinned back a bit and a slight alteration to my nose: nobody ever comments but I see the flaws in myself. The other surgery I've asked consultants about doesn't seem to be available yet. Following a type of blood cancer I'm left with an asymmetric chest: a large tumour in my chest grew most of the way through my chest bones and pushed the left side of my chest outwards. This is noticeable in clothing. The aggressive chemotherapy regime, completed about 11 years ago, has left me with side effects which are mainly detrimental though one I believe to be beneficial, a change in my brain chemistry. I'll come onto that tomorrow if I may, as one of the downsides has been ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) so I'm off to rest.
Back to you please, I hope your approval letter arrives very shortly and you can plan for the much needed explantation.
Enjoy the view.
I hope your insurance verdict is somewhat more rapid and successful than Mr Albert and his companions meeting with Godot.
You've surmised well in that I haven't written a review. The reason is twofold. Firstly one of the girls at a horse riding stables I volunteer at was talking about how fat her tummy was and however much exercise she did that fat remained. I'd recently read an article in one of the broadsheets about vaser liposuction so could tell her about that but wanted to read more so I could be more helpful. Well, I came across this site and read there were various procedures for getting rid of tummy fat, and excess skin if that was an issue. Other girls I know have talked about the pain of heavy breasts (physical and emotional) and of discomfort when horse riding due to lady parts. Again this site has been informative. Secondly I would consider cosmetic surgery if it were available and affordable. I've thought of having my ears pinned back a bit and a slight alteration to my nose: nobody ever comments but I see the flaws in myself. The other surgery I've asked consultants about doesn't seem to be available yet. Following a type of blood cancer I'm left with an asymmetric chest: a large tumour in my chest grew most of the way through my chest bones and pushed the left side of my chest outwards. This is noticeable in clothing. The aggressive chemotherapy regime, completed about 11 years ago, has left me with side effects which are mainly detrimental though one I believe to be beneficial, a change in my brain chemistry. I'll come onto that tomorrow if I may, as one of the downsides has been ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) so I'm off to rest.
Back to you please, I hope your approval letter arrives very shortly and you can plan for the much needed explantation.
Enjoy the view.
January 16, 2017
Gadzooks woman .. it would appear that you’ve been through the wringer.
Certainly puts my situation into a broader perspective.
If I may, I’d like to suggest for you an interesting fellow – Dr. Michael Greger. Maybe you already know of him?
He has a website nutritionfacts dot org (not sure if we’re allowed to post links, thus the longhand) in which he covers all kinds of health topics.
He has absolutely no corporate sponsors and sells nothing.
All he does is present metadata from all over the world regarding food and health. He has regular bite-size videos and is a bit quirky – something I can appreciate being a quirk myself.
Anyway, cancer is one of the topics he gets into from time-to-time.
Perhaps you will find something useful there?
And yes, I enjoy the view everyday with awe and gratitude. :) Aloha
Certainly puts my situation into a broader perspective.
If I may, I’d like to suggest for you an interesting fellow – Dr. Michael Greger. Maybe you already know of him?
He has a website nutritionfacts dot org (not sure if we’re allowed to post links, thus the longhand) in which he covers all kinds of health topics.
He has absolutely no corporate sponsors and sells nothing.
All he does is present metadata from all over the world regarding food and health. He has regular bite-size videos and is a bit quirky – something I can appreciate being a quirk myself.
Anyway, cancer is one of the topics he gets into from time-to-time.
Perhaps you will find something useful there?
And yes, I enjoy the view everyday with awe and gratitude. :) Aloha
January 16, 2017
Hello
Hopefully now you're another day closer to gaining insurance approval.
My story part 2, draft 1079.
So about 11 years ago I was left physically emaciated from chemotherapy and in constant pain from problems such as trapped nerves in my back, mentally I had severe depression, I had no confidence, could do almost nothing and was wholly reliant on my mum and dad who took me in. I was like a 10 1/2 stone baby, except that I feared everything.
Move on a few years, though still in the early stages of recovery, and I helped quite a lot of adults with severe and enduring mental health illnesses, cared for my mum and dad through their terminal illnesses, then volunteered for several years at a horse riding centre for children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities which leads back to now. It leads back as I went to learn about horses so that I could help the disabled riders more.
What's in common with the things I've done has been I've enjoyed helping others howsoever it has been.
It is as if a part of me is 11 or 12 years old, a part of me is older. In a way I have the benefit of living two lives as one, the youthful outlook and the knowledge that comes with learning and age.
I'm a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in England and have a huge interest in the well being of people, whether that be physical, mental/psychological/emotional or both.
I don't experience pleasure myself but I do enjoy or gain satisfaction from helping others.
I've been ridiculed and pointed at many times in public due to my ailments.
Where my various ailments and alteration in brain chemistry (in previous comment) have helped me is that my caring/emotional/listening side has moved towards being very female, I have an understanding of what physical and mental traumas are, I can sometimes perceive in a way or have a sort of empathy of how others are feeling (very useful for really helping and progressing disabled riders, for example), I know what shattered confidence is like and I know how tedious and long term recovery can be.
Which brings me back to realself.
When I read a review or comment I try and do so as an outsider, as an insider, objectively, subjectively and empathetically. When I look at photos I view aesthetically how the particular part of the body is now and how it fits in with the whole, then how surgery could benefit a person both aesthetically, emotionally and physically.
I can appreciate how strong a person must be to have elective surgery and how strong they need to be to make a full recovery. I also have a sort of understanding of how a person may feel when things go badly or wrong. I think that if I can give just a tiny bit of support or help to people during such times, then that is all I could ask for.
You may be wondering, I'm a 57 year old man.
You may appreciate a review isn't the place for the above.
I wish you well and wish you a successful outcome.
Hopefully now you're another day closer to gaining insurance approval.
My story part 2, draft 1079.
So about 11 years ago I was left physically emaciated from chemotherapy and in constant pain from problems such as trapped nerves in my back, mentally I had severe depression, I had no confidence, could do almost nothing and was wholly reliant on my mum and dad who took me in. I was like a 10 1/2 stone baby, except that I feared everything.
Move on a few years, though still in the early stages of recovery, and I helped quite a lot of adults with severe and enduring mental health illnesses, cared for my mum and dad through their terminal illnesses, then volunteered for several years at a horse riding centre for children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities which leads back to now. It leads back as I went to learn about horses so that I could help the disabled riders more.
What's in common with the things I've done has been I've enjoyed helping others howsoever it has been.
It is as if a part of me is 11 or 12 years old, a part of me is older. In a way I have the benefit of living two lives as one, the youthful outlook and the knowledge that comes with learning and age.
I'm a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health in England and have a huge interest in the well being of people, whether that be physical, mental/psychological/emotional or both.
I don't experience pleasure myself but I do enjoy or gain satisfaction from helping others.
I've been ridiculed and pointed at many times in public due to my ailments.
Where my various ailments and alteration in brain chemistry (in previous comment) have helped me is that my caring/emotional/listening side has moved towards being very female, I have an understanding of what physical and mental traumas are, I can sometimes perceive in a way or have a sort of empathy of how others are feeling (very useful for really helping and progressing disabled riders, for example), I know what shattered confidence is like and I know how tedious and long term recovery can be.
Which brings me back to realself.
When I read a review or comment I try and do so as an outsider, as an insider, objectively, subjectively and empathetically. When I look at photos I view aesthetically how the particular part of the body is now and how it fits in with the whole, then how surgery could benefit a person both aesthetically, emotionally and physically.
I can appreciate how strong a person must be to have elective surgery and how strong they need to be to make a full recovery. I also have a sort of understanding of how a person may feel when things go badly or wrong. I think that if I can give just a tiny bit of support or help to people during such times, then that is all I could ask for.
You may be wondering, I'm a 57 year old man.
You may appreciate a review isn't the place for the above.
I wish you well and wish you a successful outcome.
January 16, 2017
Hello
Sorry to disappoint. I was writing a comment to you whilst you sent one to me, so after I sent mine I saw yours was in my inbox.
I reason your situation is major and can but hope the implants are removed soon.
Thank you, I will have a look at his website. It may well be there is something useful. I did stop eating bread a few years ago after having some stomach problems and they ceased. I think the problems were down to all the additives used to prolong the shelf life.
Again, my thanks.
Good wishes from a chap with a feminine bent to his mind.
Sorry to disappoint. I was writing a comment to you whilst you sent one to me, so after I sent mine I saw yours was in my inbox.
I reason your situation is major and can but hope the implants are removed soon.
Thank you, I will have a look at his website. It may well be there is something useful. I did stop eating bread a few years ago after having some stomach problems and they ceased. I think the problems were down to all the additives used to prolong the shelf life.
Again, my thanks.
Good wishes from a chap with a feminine bent to his mind.
January 17, 2017
That you have taken the time to offer support evokes gratitude not disappointment.
As far as I’m concerned, your gender and physical form is secondary to your years of compassionate service to others.
After reading your story (that is, the condensed version) I consider you a shiny person and hoaloha.
By the way, gathering cues from your previous comments, I saw you as either from the UK or Canada – AND - that you were a woman with a masculine bent.
~ Oh the irony.
I too took care of my ailing parents, that is, my mother and her ailing husband in the last years of their lives. It was one of the more challenging tasks of my life, but it offered me the privilege of escorting my mother when her time came.
I was not able to be present when my father passed - that was tasked to my sister who later told me that just as our Dad began to let go, he peacefully remarked that he could hear me singing. So in a way, I was there.
I sense that you are sensitive - something I’m totally familiar with. Some of us simply lack the armor, (or acquired calcification) to shield our nervous system.
I have for the better portion of my life, lived in places that are sparsely populated in order to more easily tune out the near constant cacophony of competing signals.
I seem to have been born without a volume control [RS bleep]. :/
So it is that I’ve migrated all the way out into the middle of the pacific - on an island – in a sparsely populated area of that island - with little more than earth, air and water stretching before me.
This forum may be about breasts and implants, but it’s also about the human condition.
Know that you are welcome to continue visiting my review – in fact; I hope you do, as I draw comfort from your kindness.
If you should ever find yourself heading to the Big Island of Hawaii, I hope you will look us up. We will embrace you with Aloha.
As far as I’m concerned, your gender and physical form is secondary to your years of compassionate service to others.
After reading your story (that is, the condensed version) I consider you a shiny person and hoaloha.
By the way, gathering cues from your previous comments, I saw you as either from the UK or Canada – AND - that you were a woman with a masculine bent.
~ Oh the irony.
I too took care of my ailing parents, that is, my mother and her ailing husband in the last years of their lives. It was one of the more challenging tasks of my life, but it offered me the privilege of escorting my mother when her time came.
I was not able to be present when my father passed - that was tasked to my sister who later told me that just as our Dad began to let go, he peacefully remarked that he could hear me singing. So in a way, I was there.
I sense that you are sensitive - something I’m totally familiar with. Some of us simply lack the armor, (or acquired calcification) to shield our nervous system.
I have for the better portion of my life, lived in places that are sparsely populated in order to more easily tune out the near constant cacophony of competing signals.
I seem to have been born without a volume control [RS bleep]. :/
So it is that I’ve migrated all the way out into the middle of the pacific - on an island – in a sparsely populated area of that island - with little more than earth, air and water stretching before me.
This forum may be about breasts and implants, but it’s also about the human condition.
Know that you are welcome to continue visiting my review – in fact; I hope you do, as I draw comfort from your kindness.
If you should ever find yourself heading to the Big Island of Hawaii, I hope you will look us up. We will embrace you with Aloha.
January 17, 2017
Hello
You are so kind and compassionate. I am very grateful to you for your true understanding. Actually I'm touched. Your goodness almost brought a tear to my eye.
You are very perceptive and in an odd way you are almost right. You see, my mum and dad never had very much money so I had very little that could be bought, though what I had was far, far better and I believe priceless. I had love. Why I say perceptive is you've reminded me that my mum told me that when she was pregnant she was convinced I was a girl, she was sure.
Thank you, I will keep looking at your updates and will be delighted when I see insurance approved, then the next steps.
You are so very sensible to live where you do, nature, wonderful. I share your view on noise, I seem to be the only person I know who appreciates and desires quiet. It seems so reasonable to me, though to everyone else in England I am a major oddity: noise, great innit. No it is not great.
If I make it to your beautiful island I will be sure to make contact beforehand so that I can reciprocate your greeting and kindness, your humanity.
I'm in Cheltenham, so if you ever happened to fall off one side of the world and landed here you and your husband would be most welcome in my humble abode.
Oh, for the sake of correctness, I seemed to have added a year to my age.
Please keep up the wonderful prose in your writings.
I wish you well and await good news.
You are so kind and compassionate. I am very grateful to you for your true understanding. Actually I'm touched. Your goodness almost brought a tear to my eye.
You are very perceptive and in an odd way you are almost right. You see, my mum and dad never had very much money so I had very little that could be bought, though what I had was far, far better and I believe priceless. I had love. Why I say perceptive is you've reminded me that my mum told me that when she was pregnant she was convinced I was a girl, she was sure.
Thank you, I will keep looking at your updates and will be delighted when I see insurance approved, then the next steps.
You are so very sensible to live where you do, nature, wonderful. I share your view on noise, I seem to be the only person I know who appreciates and desires quiet. It seems so reasonable to me, though to everyone else in England I am a major oddity: noise, great innit. No it is not great.
If I make it to your beautiful island I will be sure to make contact beforehand so that I can reciprocate your greeting and kindness, your humanity.
I'm in Cheltenham, so if you ever happened to fall off one side of the world and landed here you and your husband would be most welcome in my humble abode.
Oh, for the sake of correctness, I seemed to have added a year to my age.
Please keep up the wonderful prose in your writings.
I wish you well and await good news.
January 26, 2017
Hello
Thank you for drawing my attention to the nutritionfacts website. Having spent hours over the last few days reading all sorts of interesting information and viewing videos, it is now added to my list of important reading concerning diet and health. I know information that confirms our views (confirmation bias) tends to leap out at us, so as with all information I take it with a degree of realism (scepticism). I think where the website has a huge benefit is the author has a good habit of looking at what particular components of food or drink help us, or hinder us, in various ways: it's akin to the pharmaceutical industry finding the active component in a particular plant, for example salicin from Willow bark, then onto creating pharmaceuticals such as aspirin in the laboratory. Well yes, the author/writer is a bit different which suits me also: I do like characters and people who are not afraid to challenge ideas and what's deemed as conventional wisdom.
Another source for my information is horses, those I work with. The girls at the stables think I'm a bit mad (eccentric): perhaps I am a bit barking. One of the horses grabbed mouthfuls of stinging nettles as I walked him through a small wood to a paddock for the night, another searched out thistles, sometimes whole small ones and sometimes just the flowers (heads) of larger ones. That set me researching. It turns out stinging nettles are packed with Iron and various elements/chemicals which are good for us so Prince is a sensible lad, and now I can regularly be seen picking and eating the very small, young and tender leaves (they don't have a sting): I'll also be picking larger leaves to dry and use for nettle tea. Onto thistles and loads of medicinal properties: anti inflammatory (they contain salicin), good for the liver, kidneys, digestive and urinary systems and more, which explains why Blackie eats them: she has skin conditions and wees a lot, amongst other issues.
I try to observe and learn from nature, animals know far more than we give them credit for. They've learnt and adapted over millions of years, so they know a thing or two.
Now onto you. I hope you're at least stable and managing to relax a little whilst you patiently await good news.
Take care.
Thank you for drawing my attention to the nutritionfacts website. Having spent hours over the last few days reading all sorts of interesting information and viewing videos, it is now added to my list of important reading concerning diet and health. I know information that confirms our views (confirmation bias) tends to leap out at us, so as with all information I take it with a degree of realism (scepticism). I think where the website has a huge benefit is the author has a good habit of looking at what particular components of food or drink help us, or hinder us, in various ways: it's akin to the pharmaceutical industry finding the active component in a particular plant, for example salicin from Willow bark, then onto creating pharmaceuticals such as aspirin in the laboratory. Well yes, the author/writer is a bit different which suits me also: I do like characters and people who are not afraid to challenge ideas and what's deemed as conventional wisdom.
Another source for my information is horses, those I work with. The girls at the stables think I'm a bit mad (eccentric): perhaps I am a bit barking. One of the horses grabbed mouthfuls of stinging nettles as I walked him through a small wood to a paddock for the night, another searched out thistles, sometimes whole small ones and sometimes just the flowers (heads) of larger ones. That set me researching. It turns out stinging nettles are packed with Iron and various elements/chemicals which are good for us so Prince is a sensible lad, and now I can regularly be seen picking and eating the very small, young and tender leaves (they don't have a sting): I'll also be picking larger leaves to dry and use for nettle tea. Onto thistles and loads of medicinal properties: anti inflammatory (they contain salicin), good for the liver, kidneys, digestive and urinary systems and more, which explains why Blackie eats them: she has skin conditions and wees a lot, amongst other issues.
I try to observe and learn from nature, animals know far more than we give them credit for. They've learnt and adapted over millions of years, so they know a thing or two.
Now onto you. I hope you're at least stable and managing to relax a little whilst you patiently await good news.
Take care.
January 26, 2017
Hi there,
Got good news today from the surgeon’s office – my insurance has approved my procedure. Yay!
The not so good news is that there are no dates available until March.
I’ll write more later – got a mess of things to arrange right now.
Glad you are finding NutrionFacts useful.
And yes, I agree on the innate wisdom of animals.
If we can manage to lay our arrogance aside fully enough, we might learn a heap from them.
Tah for now
Got good news today from the surgeon’s office – my insurance has approved my procedure. Yay!
The not so good news is that there are no dates available until March.
I’ll write more later – got a mess of things to arrange right now.
Glad you are finding NutrionFacts useful.
And yes, I agree on the innate wisdom of animals.
If we can manage to lay our arrogance aside fully enough, we might learn a heap from them.
Tah for now
January 27, 2017
Hello, fantastic news, I am so pleased for you. On reading the good news I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders, so I really can't imagine how you feel. I'll write again later, when it's daytime with you. Oh how good.
Take care.
Take care.
January 27, 2017
Thank you. :)
Still doing the happy dance here while working to pin down a surgery date.
Will update as soon as I have one.
Still doing the happy dance here while working to pin down a surgery date.
Will update as soon as I have one.
January 27, 2017
Hello.
I'm so glad you're still happy. I am also: I have a big smile on my face for the very good reason of your explantation, and what I'm sure will be greater happiness.
I hope the other ailments, illnesses and side effects decide to at worst stay as they are until surgery, and afterwards they will start to go when your body is clear of the main toxins and can clear itself of any residual toxins and your immune system can function better.
It's certainly unfortunate timing regarding you family visit. If they're anything like you they'll just be so glad that surgery is only about a couple of months away. Two months may seem a long time at the moment, but compared to 30 years it's a small wait. Having said that I know you rightly want the implants out as soon as possible. Also maybe your family can reschedule their visit to when you're sufficiently recovered so you can really enjoy your time together.
Again I know it's difficult but if you can try and keep any anxiety under some sort of control because at last time is starting to be on your side.
I shall happily await your posting a date. in the meantime I know you'll control everything you can. Oh yes, nice sunset, sunrise, well sun in the sky.
Today goes down as a good day.
I'm so glad you're still happy. I am also: I have a big smile on my face for the very good reason of your explantation, and what I'm sure will be greater happiness.
I hope the other ailments, illnesses and side effects decide to at worst stay as they are until surgery, and afterwards they will start to go when your body is clear of the main toxins and can clear itself of any residual toxins and your immune system can function better.
It's certainly unfortunate timing regarding you family visit. If they're anything like you they'll just be so glad that surgery is only about a couple of months away. Two months may seem a long time at the moment, but compared to 30 years it's a small wait. Having said that I know you rightly want the implants out as soon as possible. Also maybe your family can reschedule their visit to when you're sufficiently recovered so you can really enjoy your time together.
Again I know it's difficult but if you can try and keep any anxiety under some sort of control because at last time is starting to be on your side.
I shall happily await your posting a date. in the meantime I know you'll control everything you can. Oh yes, nice sunset, sunrise, well sun in the sky.
Today goes down as a good day.
UPDATED FROM trespetite
10 days pre
Got the call I've been waiting for ...
Well I’ve got great news and not-as-great news.
Great = The PS office called today to inform me that our insurance company approved coverage for my surgery.
~ Happy dance time.
The-not-as-great-news = They can’t book my surgery until March. :/
I was really hoping to get this done in February as the discomfort is nagging and the other symptoms (autoimmune) continue to mount.
Also, I have family members on the mainland (who I haven’t seen in a long while) who had planned on coming out in the beginning of March. So that’s a bit of a mess.
All the same, I’m fortunate and relieved, so I will work on staying focused on travel and lodging arrangements for our trip to Oahu for my surgery - once I hear back from the PS’s office with an actual surgery date - and then deal with the family issue.
Great = The PS office called today to inform me that our insurance company approved coverage for my surgery.
~ Happy dance time.
The-not-as-great-news = They can’t book my surgery until March. :/
I was really hoping to get this done in February as the discomfort is nagging and the other symptoms (autoimmune) continue to mount.
Also, I have family members on the mainland (who I haven’t seen in a long while) who had planned on coming out in the beginning of March. So that’s a bit of a mess.
All the same, I’m fortunate and relieved, so I will work on staying focused on travel and lodging arrangements for our trip to Oahu for my surgery - once I hear back from the PS’s office with an actual surgery date - and then deal with the family issue.
Welcome, and thanks so much for sharing your story. I hope you'll find all the support you need within this amazing community. To start you off, here's a link to the Breast Implant Removal Forum. It's a great place to share pre and post op tips, and to connect with others who are going through the same experience. Please keep on updating us so we can follow your journey. Good luck!