POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
47 Year Old That is Tired of Pain and Ill Fitting Clothing! - Houston TX
ORIGINAL POST
I have had large breasts since I was a young girl....
lynnpicSeptember 7, 2016
I have had large breasts since I was a young girl...my mother called me "Dolly." Women of my age and older could associate the reference. My OB-GYN has been documenting for years the symptoms I have been experiencing with pain, shoulder grooving, and skin integrity issues. I am so tired of having to order special size bras and pay huge amounts of money to be covered and supported appropriately.
I casually was on this site over several months contemplating the idea of a BR. I wasn't really reading the information posted by users of this site but the information provided by the PS. I was naive.
I met my yearly deductible due to a food borne illness and thought....hmmm let me do some serious research. I found several PS on my insurance plan and decided on one that was near. I made an appointment for a consult and provided my insurance information. The moment I arrived at the office I was taken into a procedure room. I was greeted by the director of sales and marketing,not a nurse...hmmm. I was informed that my deductible was met and I would have a additional cost of $4000 for a breast reduction. Now I haven't even seen the PS. She also mentioned that the doctor does great work and I will have a great set of "[RS bleep]" like a teenager when he is finished....uhhhh WTF? The PS came in and introduced himself and wanted to know where I found out about his practice. He then proceeded to show me a diagram of the tissue removal of the breast and then another of lifting the breast and reshaping. This would cost an additional $4000. He hasn't even looked at my breasts and is telling me what it will cost. He opened my gown while I was seated and took a few photos of my shoulders and a frontal view of my breasts only. I asked a few questions but this was my first consult and was nervous. I left the office with a feeling of uncertainty but also had the high of thinking of smaller breasts were in my reach.
It took only two weeks to have an approval from my insurance company and I immediately phoned the PS to make an appointment. I had several questions for the consultant about the additional fee. Response was like an automated drone...the insurance only covers the fat removal and it is additional to have the breast lifted, shaped and have the nipple resized. Really???? This doesn't sound appropriate...the American Medical Association states the procedural steps of a breast reduction of fat/tissue removal, lifting/shaping the breast and resizing the nipple. Again the same response that it only covers the fat removal. She suggested after being very frustrated with my questions to schedule a consult and have the doctor explain the additional fee. I made my appointment for a post op and after hanging up did some more research. I contacted my insurance company and explained the situation and my concerns. I ended up filing a grievance with the insurance company. This doctor was a provider of my plan and in-network. Part of being in a plan is that the doctors accept a negotiated fee for services. It is not appropriate to charge additional fees for covered services rendered. He wanted to charge me money for something he was being paid by the insurance! I hope this concern is not dismissed by the insurance company and they do some serious research into this doctors practice. He is taking advantage of patients and I hope he is seriously reprimanded for his actions!
I casually was on this site over several months contemplating the idea of a BR. I wasn't really reading the information posted by users of this site but the information provided by the PS. I was naive.
I met my yearly deductible due to a food borne illness and thought....hmmm let me do some serious research. I found several PS on my insurance plan and decided on one that was near. I made an appointment for a consult and provided my insurance information. The moment I arrived at the office I was taken into a procedure room. I was greeted by the director of sales and marketing,not a nurse...hmmm. I was informed that my deductible was met and I would have a additional cost of $4000 for a breast reduction. Now I haven't even seen the PS. She also mentioned that the doctor does great work and I will have a great set of "[RS bleep]" like a teenager when he is finished....uhhhh WTF? The PS came in and introduced himself and wanted to know where I found out about his practice. He then proceeded to show me a diagram of the tissue removal of the breast and then another of lifting the breast and reshaping. This would cost an additional $4000. He hasn't even looked at my breasts and is telling me what it will cost. He opened my gown while I was seated and took a few photos of my shoulders and a frontal view of my breasts only. I asked a few questions but this was my first consult and was nervous. I left the office with a feeling of uncertainty but also had the high of thinking of smaller breasts were in my reach.
It took only two weeks to have an approval from my insurance company and I immediately phoned the PS to make an appointment. I had several questions for the consultant about the additional fee. Response was like an automated drone...the insurance only covers the fat removal and it is additional to have the breast lifted, shaped and have the nipple resized. Really???? This doesn't sound appropriate...the American Medical Association states the procedural steps of a breast reduction of fat/tissue removal, lifting/shaping the breast and resizing the nipple. Again the same response that it only covers the fat removal. She suggested after being very frustrated with my questions to schedule a consult and have the doctor explain the additional fee. I made my appointment for a post op and after hanging up did some more research. I contacted my insurance company and explained the situation and my concerns. I ended up filing a grievance with the insurance company. This doctor was a provider of my plan and in-network. Part of being in a plan is that the doctors accept a negotiated fee for services. It is not appropriate to charge additional fees for covered services rendered. He wanted to charge me money for something he was being paid by the insurance! I hope this concern is not dismissed by the insurance company and they do some serious research into this doctors practice. He is taking advantage of patients and I hope he is seriously reprimanded for his actions!
Replies (3)
October 19, 2016
Hi Lymnoic!
I love your story and message. I thank GOD I had a great first time consult visit with my PS Dr. Diane Elias of St. Petersburg, FL after an insurance referral.
I did not follow directions on getting on this "great" website from beginning of my first consult visit but better late then never! This morning I came across your great story and awesome pictures!! So I thank Real-self.com because this helps you get through .
I hope your recovery is going well. Again, I love your pictures and because I did not take good or enough pictures, I can see my (old breast) and outcome in your photos! I went to a "C" cup. I look at your pictures and let's just say , OMG!!! they are sooo great that I can see my beginning to end being the same with less swelling under the arm pit area. I'm doing really good in my recovery but it's taking a bit longer to heal around the "T" area. I think it depends on each individual in healing/recovering; everybody body is different and procrss different.
I'm 48 yrs and experienced the same constant back/shoulder pain, shoulder growth, getting Cortizone injection to relieve the pain. My nickname was "BB" for Big Breast Sonya! Not always a good thing to hear and I started hating the attention of first eye contact to my breast. I'm so happy I had the BR and once "we" are fully recovered our life will change for the better! "A new you!l"
I completed my BR on 10/4/16. I'm in my 3rd week of recovery and it's going better then expected. Just to anyone follow the doctor's direction!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and again, great pitcures!
Blessings...
I love your story and message. I thank GOD I had a great first time consult visit with my PS Dr. Diane Elias of St. Petersburg, FL after an insurance referral.
I did not follow directions on getting on this "great" website from beginning of my first consult visit but better late then never! This morning I came across your great story and awesome pictures!! So I thank Real-self.com because this helps you get through .
I hope your recovery is going well. Again, I love your pictures and because I did not take good or enough pictures, I can see my (old breast) and outcome in your photos! I went to a "C" cup. I look at your pictures and let's just say , OMG!!! they are sooo great that I can see my beginning to end being the same with less swelling under the arm pit area. I'm doing really good in my recovery but it's taking a bit longer to heal around the "T" area. I think it depends on each individual in healing/recovering; everybody body is different and procrss different.
I'm 48 yrs and experienced the same constant back/shoulder pain, shoulder growth, getting Cortizone injection to relieve the pain. My nickname was "BB" for Big Breast Sonya! Not always a good thing to hear and I started hating the attention of first eye contact to my breast. I'm so happy I had the BR and once "we" are fully recovered our life will change for the better! "A new you!l"
I completed my BR on 10/4/16. I'm in my 3rd week of recovery and it's going better then expected. Just to anyone follow the doctor's direction!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and again, great pitcures!
Blessings...
UPDATED FROM lynnpic
20 days pre
New PS and a date!
lynnpicSeptember 7, 2016
After all the stress with the previous surgeon, I have found my perfect fit! Before I even consulted with the PS the nurse was able to answer all of my questions appropriately. Funny how this surgeon follows the AMA guidelines for a breast reduction. This office visit was a total turnaround. The nurse reviewed my medical status and the procedure. The surgeon has a great bedside manner. He answered all of my questions and responded to my inquiry of his history of negative outcomes and how they are addressed. Smoking is a big no no for healing and he makes you sign a form that you don't smoke. He then took multiple measurements of each breast and made comment of a possible removal of 1000 from each breast. We also discussed a free nipple graft but after more research I do not want to go that route if at all possible. I want to try and keep the blood supply and nerve source intact. Photos were also take from the front, side, back and with arms raised. Everyone was so warm and welcoming at his facility.
Again it took two weeks for a response from the insurance company. I'm scheduled for a pre-op appointment September 22 and surgery on the 28th. Nervous and excited.....
Any suggestions for comfortable surgical bras? I'm currently wearing a 42H and looking forward to a full C or small D.
Again it took two weeks for a response from the insurance company. I'm scheduled for a pre-op appointment September 22 and surgery on the 28th. Nervous and excited.....
Any suggestions for comfortable surgical bras? I'm currently wearing a 42H and looking forward to a full C or small D.
Thank you for sharing your experience so far. Hoping you find support in the community.