Dr. Oliva (Spokane) Was Heaven Sent. Spokane, WA

Here's my story, in hopes it will help someone else out there: I have lived in fear of breast cancer my entire life, as my mom was diagnosed when I was 1 years old. She was just 27, with 4 daughters under the age of 6. I grew up hearing how her MD told her to 'get her things in order' (aka prepare to die). I've been getting mammograms since my early 20s. (I am now 56.) I was BRCA 1 & 2 negative, but given the fact that I had 2 aunts and a mom with a history of breast cancer, very fibrocystic breasts, and a heavy requirement for estrogen therapy to function as a normal person...I pursued a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. (If Angelina could do it, why not me- I wondered.) I asked God to open and close doors for me, regarding if this was the correct path for me to pursue. I jumped through hoops with United Health Care after seeing an oncologist (Dr. Moline-whom came highly recommended). Then UHC approved my procedure.
I hit a bump in the road, when Dr. Moline told me she would work with no other plastic surgeons in Spokane, except for the MDs at Plastic Surgery Northwest. Unfortunately, this group was not on my 'preferred' list of physicians. (Initially, this frustrated me, but now, in retrospect, I am forever grateful for her wisdom, and do understand why she took such a immovable stand.) Nevertheless, I was determined to follow through with one of these physicians, even if I had to pay a good amount out of pocket. I chose Dr. Alfonso Oliva. Little did I know at the time of choosing, that Dr. Oliva would be performing a specialized version of breast reconstruction with latissimus dorsi flap in a very unique way....a way no one else performs. (He has perfected a technique wherein he is able to grasp the latissimus muscle without having to cut a line across his patient's back. -Check his website to see what I mean.) Because no one else in my area could offer this version of the surgery, UHC (with the great help of Dr. Oliva's pre-authorization specialist- Hattie), approved Dr. Oliva as a 'gap exception'...yes, that's the term you must use...and treated him as an in-network preferred provider for my procedure. I had a lengthy surgery on February 23, 2015. (I can't recall if it was 8 hours or 10 hours- but it was long.) Both physicians worked side by side, one taking out the breast tissue, and the other, beginning the long reconstruction process. Expanders were inserted with 300 cc's initially in surgery. I am thankful that I had both general anesthesia, along with a 'block' so that I had no major pain initially coming out of surgery. I stayed in the hospital for about 5 days.
Unlike some people, my expanders caused me a lot of pain. I required pain meds around the clock (literally) for nearly 7 weeks. (I even asked on this site if this was 'normal,' and thankfully the replies encouraged me to be patient.) I didn't wear a bra for the first 7 weeks, but in retrospect, I probably should have-to control any shifting. Dr. Oliva filled my expanders 100cc's at a time. This was no problem per se. I had them filled 550cc's in total. The plan was to wait for approximately 9 months before the expander-to-implant exchange occurred. As much as I initially hated my expanders, they kind of grew on me, and I almost hated to see them go.
This brings me to 10/28/15.....I had my expanders removed and my implants inserted (teardrop shaped, 595 cc's), along with a bilateral capsullorhaphy procedure (an internal bra....as the girls needed a lift and an inward push). This was a pretty easy surgery for me- just 2 hours. I can't lift things over 5-10 pounds for my first two weeks. Compared to surgery #1, this is nothing. -Oh, I should add, UHC initially denied Dr. Oliva's 'gap exception' for this second surgery...but after Hattie's help, a 3 page letter on my part, and getting my husband's employer involved, UHC once again gave Dr. Oliva a 'gap exception' and treated his as a preferred provider. Be prepared to be your own advocate with your insurance company. An initial 'Denial' doesn't necessarily mean that's the last word on the subject.