Finally Approved for Breast Reduction! (YAAY!) *happy tears* - Ohio

I have finally been approved for a reduction of my? size 38G breast! ?YAAY!! I am so emotional about this right now. I'm a so excited and grateful that this door has been opened for me. It's definitely been a long time coming...long time wanting, wishing and praying.

Before I start this journey to a better me, I'd like to share my story: ?I have ALWAYS wanted a breast augmentation to correct the asymmetry in my breast. My husband said the asymmetry was barely noticeable to him and how much he loved my uniqueness. Aww, so sweet, right? NOT! Family/friends didn't believe me even standing right in from of them. Trust me, I've always known how to conceal them...For a while I added a cutlet to the smaller one to balance them babies out and it worked.

Medically, although always full, my breast weren't 'big enough' nor did they caused any discomfort so I never considered my insurance covering, well, I considered it and even asked and was swiftly told no. Followed by the boring speech on how 'asymmetry was common and the majority of women...' blah, blah, blah! I knew that! It was strictly something I wanted to do because of my own insecurities. My husband was totally against it. Those where 'his..well, I don't need to share the name he has for them but insisted I wasn't surgically having them altered. What? Yours? Lol, okay! He would then try to back his argument up with, 'going under the knife should be done when 'medically necessary' not for cosmetic reasons...more blah! Well, after turning 40, I began to gain weight and in 2011 started suffering neck, shoulder and back pain. I have gained about 25lbs since then and and have gone from a size 36DD to a 38G! Big AND lopsided! UGH!!! In March, 2015 I started to experience chronic pain in my neck and spasms in my shoulder/back and my doctor ordered an x-ray. The x-ray showed signs of degenerative disc changes in my cervical spine (C5-C7). Four months later (July, 2015) an MRI also showed bulging disk in (C3-C4). Ouch! At that time I immediately began dialog with my PCP about the possibilities of a reduction. She supported the idea and even offered to write a letter recommending the procedure should I decide.
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After researching surgeons in my network, a co-worker shared with me that Dr. Jeff Kesler performed her reduction about 9 years ago?. She even went as far as to lift her blouse, proudly displaying her perky boobs (in a sexy lace bra) and as she shimmied her shoulders, she proclaimed how much she loved her tah-tahs! Wow! After almost 10 years huh? She also told me about another co-worker who just returned to work from having the procedure done by him as well and shared how much she loved her result! Awesome, I immediately began to do my research on him. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of General Surgery, the more I learned, the more impressed I became with his credentials. I set the consultation and met with him in August 2015.

During my consult, Dr. Kesler was very personable and explained, in detail, the technique he started using 10 years ago. He measured me from my clavicle bone to my nipple to insure (for blood supply purposes) that I am a good candidate for his technique. I was, thanks God! He assured me that he follows up with his patients up for to 5 years (or longer, if needed) after surgery and expressed how, with this technique, he has not had one patient disappointed with the results. I was sold and we decided to gather documents to submit to my insurance for approval.

To help with the process, I contacted both my PCP and the neurosurgeon I was seeing for my neck pain and asked for letters of support to be submitted to my insurance. Both agreed and sent letters immediately. On Sept 14, 1015, Dr. Kesler's office mailed the letter of request, 6 pics of my breast (all angles), current mammogram, doctor's notes (2011-present), meds prescribed (ie. muscle relaxers/pain killers), x-ray/MRI report and both letters of recommendation to my insurance company. After a month of calling, my information was not in the system because they 'claim' to not have received my paperwork. On 10/19, Dr. Kesler's office FAXED the same documentation that was mailed a month prior. The insurance company contacted Dr. Kesler's office on 10/22 and informed them of receiving the fax, but stated that they couldn't read my mammogram & the pictures were too dark to review and requested that they mail mammogram & pictures again. Dr. Kesler's office agreed and mailed them off, a 2nd time, on 10/22! I spoke with the insurance company that same day and they informed me that they spoke directly with Dr. Kesler's office and will leave my case open until the pictures and mammogram were received. Okay. But I'm thinking, wait a minute, where in the world is that envelop containing my entire life (from 2011 to present) that was mailed in September? I am a little frustrated at this point because I couldn't believe that it really takes that long to receive medical documents marked 'urgent review'. Hell, it was mailed from one city in Ohio to another! Approximately 2 hours away! I couldn't believe this very large, very reputable insurance company would be that behind on reviewing medical requests for surgery! They sure aren't behind in their billing department! Anxious to get the results now I have to worry about where my personal info is? Come on now!!

I called my insurance company on 11/3/15 to check the status and learned that my case was closed on 10/28 and denied on 10/29... due to 'lack of documentation'. What documentation you ask? The same damn documentation that was sent on 9/14 AND AGAIN on 10/22! ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Where in the hell are my pictures and the rest of my personal medical information!!!! I was infuriated!! I asked to speak to someone in medical review and spoke with a very rude woman who cut me off mid sentence to say, "Before you go any further, this is what is needed and the case will be..." I cut her off and said, "Excuse me, but before YOU go any further, the very same documents you claim to need have been sent to the address you provided TWICE ALREADY and we're not mailing them a 3rd time, that's ridiculous!" I explained to her how my stomach dropped every time I thought about SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE having access to my personal info and my [RS bleep] PICS and I wanted to speak with a manager because AGAIN we are NOT mailing them a 3rd time. Instead of connecting me to a manager, she provided me with an address to scan & email the documents to. This makes the 3rd submission! I couldn't believe this. I just wanted my case re-opened! I repeated the email address to ms rudeness, she confirmed then assured me that once the documents were received, the case would be re-opened. I hung up and provided Dr. Kesler's office with the email given to me by the rude insurance lady and requested that they cc me on the email as well. I received the email from Dr. Kesler to the insurance company approximately 20 minutes later. All is well right? Well, the next day (11/4) I contacted Dr. Kesler's office to follow up and you're not going to believe this but I was told that the email address provide by 'your rudeness' was the wrong email address!!! WHAT??? Kesler's office told me that they received a non deliverable email back but remembered sending an email to a similar address several months prior. She looked in her sent emails and found the correct email address and sent my info again...a 4th time!!!!

I immediately called my insurance company screaming HIPAA VIOLATIONS and DEMANDED to speak with a manager. After 25 minutes, I spoke with a manager who apologized for the inconvenience and expressed how she clearly understood my concern with my lost info. She assured me that she has sent emails and contacted various department managers and informed them to be on the look out for them. I called her back on 11/6 to follow up and got her voicemail, so I left a message. She returned my call approximately 15 minutes later and stated she had mixed news...although they had not received the packet of info (mailed TWICE now) they did receive the email, my case was re-opened and approved. Mixed news caused mixed emotions because although I am very thankful that I have been approved, I am still quite disturbed that my pictures & personal info (2 SETS NOW) are out there floating around and no one from my insurance company can provide me with any information on the whereabouts. She assured me that they will continue to look for my information and will contact me once received. She also stated that once received, they will return to Dr. Kessler. For some reason I believe that's just a game insurance companies play. After receiving the 3rd submission via fax, they call to say said they'd leave my case open until they received the 2nd set of MAILED documents because the fax distorted the pics. They never offered an email but instead provided a postal address to be mailed a 2nd time...only to close and deny the case one week later??... for not receiving documents??? I believe had I not called them damn near everyday and DEMANDED an email address to submit to, my claim would have simply been denied and my info eventually sent back! I guess 4 times a charm, huh? Still shaking my head, but again so grateful! Definitely mixed emotions! A blessing wrapped in an unnecessary mess....but a blessing nonetheless. I just pray they turn up soon. After all that fuss, I'm feeling they will. (*wink)

With ALL THAT SAID, Dolls! if you are contemplating a reduction due to neck/back pain, as long as it's been medically documented, please submit to your insurance and don't take no for an answer! BE PERSISTENT...sort of like a dog on a bone! If your breast are causing pain and you're being treated with pain management and or therapy, go for it! And appeal if you have to.

A couple of weeks ago, while waiting on my insurance company, we looked at Dr. Kesler's availability in December and he was open 12/18/15 (am) or 12/22/15 (pm). Since I received the approval yesterday (Friday) I will call them Monday to schedule. Hoping either of those dates are still available! I can't wait to have smaller breast! This will be a dream come true! I'll keep you dolls posted!

If you've had the same or similar experience, or simply would like to share your reduction journey, please do! I'd love to hear your story.

Hey there dolls! Contacted my Dr's office today and December18th is the day! So excited, but nervous all of a sudden. I guess it's starting to sink in. My mind is all over the place. Fear is trying to rear it's ugly head, but I refuse to fall for it! I've been wanting (and needing) this for so long, "nothing but positive thoughts", I keep telling myself. I'm sure my feelings are normal. But O....M....G.... December 18th!!!!! Happy healing dolls!

Surgery on 12/18 went well. I arrived at the surgery centered at 6:30 am and was immediately taken to the back to be changed. After that I was asked a few questions and introduced to the anesthesiologist, who was awesome I might add. She was so thorough and answered every question without me even asking. After her consult, I felt completely at peace. They placed a patch behind my left ear for nausea and explained that if I touched it, I needed to wash my hand immediately. Before they started my IV I wanted to try to have a bowel movement because I wasn't able to go at home. I was a little successful but it was not complete, which worried me because my past experience has been it takes me DAYS to go after surgery. Enough of that, off to get my markings. Dr. Kesler was great and I love his sense of humor. After my markings, they started my IV and my family was allowed to come back. We took a few pics and exchanged our hugs /kisses, I was given a little medicine to relax, said my good byes and off I went to Antarctica- the cold cold surgery room. Before entering the room I remember being covered with several warm blankets, once inside I was moved over to the tiny table, strapped down and told to take a deep breath. Night night!

Next thing I know, I was waking up confused and felt a burning sensation on my chest. I kept asking why is it burning? It took me a minute to gain my senses and realize that I made it through surgery. The nurse asked my pain level and I immediately told her 10 plus. He performed the inverted T technique and the incisions underneath my breast felt like they were on fire. I began to cry quietly to myself and for a quick second thought, what have I done. Linda, my nurse, kept reminding me to take deep breaths over and over. She walked away and returned with some graham crackers and cranberry juice and then gave me 2 Percocets. It took a while for the meds to kick in but my family was allowed to come back to see me. So many of them I thought to myself. I was still a little confused but began coming around slowly but surely. Dr. Kesler came back and told me that everything went well. He was surprised that I was describing a burning sensation but told me that the numbing medication was wearing off. He then told us that he took a little over 500 cc from my right breast and 900 cc from the left. I couldn't believe it! But then again, yes I could. I lived with the asymmetry for so long, I really wasn't surprised. Just crazy to actually hear him say it. He said he made them equal and I was going to love them. After a while they got me out of bed and had me sitting up in the chair. I began to burp and Linda reassured me that burping was good and part of the process. I then told them that I had to pee. The nurse confirmed that they didn't insert a catheter but she wasn't ready to remove my IV so she walked me and my IV pole to the restroom. It was so hard for me to keep my eyes open. My surgery lasted 4.5 hours and I was in recovery for 1.5 hours at this point. I was given my after care instructions, many packs of gauze, my prescription for antibiotics and pain and a bra to bring with me to my post surgery appointment. She then showed my mom and husband how to empty the drains and how to look for and push through any blood clots that may form. She told us that for the 1st 24 hours, I should be given the pain medicine 1 every 3 hours. Eventually she was comfortable with removing my IV and was allowed to get dressed. I made it home about 3:30pm.

Now getting in and out of my recliner was difficult at first, although I practiced over and over again prior to surgery. I was drinking so much water once I got home and was going to the bathroom every single hour. So, it didn't take long for me to master getting up and sitting down. I needed help from my husband, my mom and my daughter the 1st 24 hours mainly because how often I was taking the percocets and having to climb steps. Day 2, I only took one perc at 12:30p and another at 11p. I eventually took a Valium at 1 am and passed out.

Now let's talk about these drains. Since he did the inverted t, he placed my tubes beneath my armpits and it makes it hard for me to relax my arms and also to wipe myself. The 1st 24 hours, they were draining equally. The first time my mom emptied them, it was 25 cc's on the right and 24 cc's on the left. But by day 2 the left wasn't draining as much as the right. And today I'm experiencing the same. More on the right than on the left. I will be calling him on Monday because I don't like the way the tubes feel when I rest my arms down to my side. It feels like I'm pressing down on them and the incision site beneath my breasts are a little painful. I think the gauze that's packed beneath my bra is causing some pressure too, so we'll see.

My appetite is okay but when I eat, I can't eat much. I removed the patch for nausea after 24 hours because I kept accidentally touching it and not one time did I feel sick to my stomach. YAAY!!! I am drinking plenty of water, infused with melons and cantaloupe but I still haven't had a bowel movement, which sucks! Because I haven't had a bowel movement, I will not be taking the percocets...unless the pain is absolutely unbearable. Oh, I almost forgot, they did tell me to make sure I take some pain meds 30 mins prior to my post surgery appointment on the 23rd, so yes, I will probably be popping 2 of those babies. I hear changing the tape and having the drains removed is quite ouchy!

Other than that, I can't wait to see my new boobs. Hope you all are doing well. I'm ready for a nap!! Happy healing my friends, I hope you all are recovering beautifully! Smooches.