After a Couple of Serendipitous Provider Changes, I Am Finally Getting my BR! - Rochester, NY

I have had large breasts since Jr. High school. I started 6th grade in a b-cup, and by the time I graduated I was a DD. The girls became part of my identity, and not in a good way. I was teased about them. I tried several sports, but just couldn't take the running.

I have wanted a breast reduction since my early 20s, but held off and sucked it up with the back pain until after I was finished nursing my son. I first started looking into getting a BR in 2012. A good friend of mine had just done it, and said she felt fabulous! I had an Insurance plan that didn't require a referral to see a PS, so I scheduled a consult. She took photos, we chose a tentative date, and then the scheduler gave me a template for the letter of necessity I needed to have my PCP write for insurance coverage. Uh-oh! I was in trouble at this point. I was brought up in a very poor family. My parents were self-employed, and as a consequence we did not have health insurance. We were conditioned to only take urgent medical issues to the Doctor's office. Aches and pains were to be endured, so I sucked it up, and didn't go to my doctor for the back pain prior to that PS visit. So, long story short, I had to cancel the surgery. I did visit my doctor, though. My spine was X-ray-ed and I was dignosed with cervicalgia. He sent me to physical therapy and told me to sleep on fewer pillows. I felt like my breasts were the elephant in the room that he didn't seem to want to talk about. I did 12 weeks of PT with a chiropractor which was successful in the short run, but continuing the exercises didn't keep my back pain free. Unfortunately, I was not accustomed to asking my Doctors for what I needed, and just didn't go back to the PT because the neck adjustment freaked me out! So... I suffered some more with the upper back, shoulder, and neck pain. A little later, I was back in the office for a raging rash under my breasts. He prescribed Nystop powder and sent me on my way.

Last spring, I was informed that my PCP had suddenly left the practice, and I was being assigned to a new Doctor. Also, the Nurse Practitioner I saw at my OBGYN had resigned, so I startes seeing the Dr. who had delivered my son. It was like the stars aligned! At my annual gyn exam, the doctor finished his breast exam an asked me if I was having problems with my breast size! I of course said yes, and we spoke about my symptoms (Back pain, rashes, and severe skin pulling on the sides of my breasts, which was his concern). He said he thought I would have no problem getting coverage for a BR. I had an appointment with my new PCP, and he said I should definitely have her refer me to a PS. I told her about that conversation and she agreed with me. She referred me to Dr. Evangelisti, who a very close friend of our family had been to for her BR.

I had my consult in June, and I was very impressed with the office and Dr. Evangelisti. The office was very clean and comfortable, and Dr. Evangelisti put me right at ease. we talked about the problems my breast size is causing, and he showed me some photos of some of the surgeries he has done, including an overview of the procedure he would use for me, and photos of breasts at various stages in the healing process. He took a series of photos to submit to BCBS. Luckily, I happened to be having a nasty flare-up of my under-breast rashes. At the end of the appointment, I sat down with his scheduler. She gave me a checklist of documentation to obtain for insurance coverage. This made me a little nervous, because I had not been in very often for my back pain and rashes, but I did have a 4-year history.

As soon as I got home, I messaged my Doctor, OBGYN and the Chiropractor for letters. My Dr faxed a letter to Dr E and My OBGYN faxed over the office notes from my last annual exam. The Chiro responded by saying he couldn't submit anything without me coming in for an evaluation. I didn't want to waste money and time on any more PT for this, so I had Dr. Evangelisti's office submit without the PT documents. Two days later, I got the call that my BR was approved, and we set the date for August 15th! I am sooo excited! My advice to any of you thinking of getting it done is to get to your doctor with that back pain and get that paper trail going. Also, make sure you be very direct with your doctor and bring up your desire for a BR, because often times, they won't.

So I had my pre-surgical consult, and boy, I am getting nervous. Excited too! Of course I thought of questions after I left the office. This one may seem like a bit of a dumb question but I'm going to ask you all. I know that I should avoid cigarette smoke. I myself am not a smoker, and noone in my household smokes. But I have 2 issues. The first is that I will be camping the week before my surgery. There will be a campfire. It will generate smoke. Can I sit by it? Or is wood smoke not a problem? Also, What about people who smoke. I don't need to avoid them entirely, right? Just while they're smoking?

OK back to the appointment. I first sat down with Dr. Evangelisti's nurse, who gave me my pre-op and post-op instructions in a folder, and sent my prescriptions for antibiotics and pain meds to my pharmacy. Then Dr. E came in and said "I'm sure you have lots of questions for me." And I could think of very few, but forgot the ones above. Anyway, since I am only going to get one bra from them, they told me that while I wash it, I can wear a sports bra. I saw that the Fruit of the Loom front hook bra has been very well liked on here, and at less than $8 each, I picked up 2 at Walmart. I was also looking for a zip hoodie, but came up empty until I decided to visit a thrift store, and found a nice lightweight one in my size for $7, which I got a 20% discount on for dropping off some donations with them! Win-win! Then I don't have to be so sad if I bleed on it.

So I am also looking for some advice on sleeping. I would really like to be able to stay in my bed. Do I really need to get a wedge, or can I manage with pillows? I have a LOT of pillows in my house. I'll be updating as I continue on my journey, so until next time, thanks for all the support.

I got my call from the surgical center yesterday. I was scheduled for 10:30 arrival, but got a call later that it has been changed to 7:15. I have so many thoughts and feelings going through my head right now. I am excited, but also pretty nervous! My mom will be coming to stay with me to cook and help me out after. I will post more after.