Re: Surgery on Tuesday?!? Help!

[Guest guest]

I work for a health insurance company and I can tell you they WON"T pay for a lift. They will however pay for the explant if its due to pain or infection etc.... Who is this PS you are using ? I wouldn't have mine removed inless it was EN BLOC after all I have been told or read...you will just have more problems down the road. Good luck and be careful in your choice.

[Guest guest]

I hope I can help you here - everyone is different not I had my implants put in 1996..... they were taken out in 03.... at first almost everyone I have spoken with experienced the "concave" situation at first inclusing myself... I think this is normal as your body needs time to readjust and your natural tissues that have been smooshed for so long need time to come back out and "fluff"as some of us like to call it. I know you have probably heard this before but it really is true. I went from a 34 AA to a 354 C - had the implants in, under the muscle, for 7 years almost to the day. After removal I was worried.. kinda concave and non-existent for a little while. It took a good few weeks to a month or two for mine to fluff.... this is completely normal and and I have spoken to many women that have had the same thing happen to them in the years I have been w/ this group. You just must be patient..... after as while my breasts looked completely normal... actually after explant I was on some meds that made me put on about 10 lbs so they are even bigger now. I am now a 34-36B. I am not sure what doc you are going to and I know results vary, but I went somewhere local.... Now nobody would know I ever had implants unless I told them - you really can not tell at all. my removal scars were below the breast at the case which are a little noticeable as i didn't use vitamin E there... I used vit E on the other 3 operations I had due to complications - I had a total of 4 operations. All of the other scars - armpit. nipple, etc., are very faint - I would highly recommend using vit E on your scar when the doc gives you clearance to out stuff on them - it worked wonders for me.... bought the capsules, poked a hold in them, and squeezed the oil right out of the capsule and applied it from there (of course w/ the docs permission). It really does work and is much cheaper than other scar stuff. Just an idea. I think it is normal to be nervous but if genuinely have reservations about your doc you should be sure to think it thru.... who are you using? i know it isn't my business but I have been around a while and know a lot of docs names. listen to your heart and always keep in mind - no matter WHO you go to, there will be the concave effect for a little while all of your smooshed tissues fluff back out... they have been smashed in there for a while so it will take a while for them to come backout., it may make you uncomfortable for a while but stuff your bra - do whatever you have to feel better until you heal. Follow the docs instructions... it won't be long. Before I knew it I was looking normal again... my normal, natural, soft breasts.....i could lay on my tummy again.. that was the est part = laying on my stomach without feeling like I was laying on water balloons!!!! I love them now and have NEVER regretted my decision to have them removed - NEVER. My hubby likes them much better now as well as he only saw me with them when we were dating (starting dating about a month post implant). He likes them much better natural.... he dud see before pics but not the real thing. Sorry for the long post - I hope this helps you... just make sure in your gut you have picked the right doc, be prepared for results that are not necessarily what you expected, and remember they WILL change for the better. Also - I would highly suggest - no matter where you go that you insist on drains..... sounds like a pain but I didn't have them and it caused a world of trouble... my "pockets" where the implants were filled w/ fluid and had to be manually drained in his office - no numbing - just a needle that removed over 80 CC's of fluid.... not fun. I had to go thru that twice - the drains would definitely be worth it for me no matter how much of a pain they are... trust me there.... some may not agree - just my opinion... that needle was big.....

I will answer any questions you have!! good luck - i will pray for you!! I hope this info helps!

I just hate to see people surprised after explant at the way they look.. I remember how I felt and I just wanted to make sure you know that it does not stay that way - just give it a little time. email me w/ any questions,,, I know you are nervous now.... it is normal

love

shari

[Guest guest]

Shari what a nice post...I'm sure it will help all of us that are awaiting explant...I swaer I love summer and I'm wishing it over so it will be SEPT 7th and I can have these things GONE !

[Guest guest]

if you find away to have insurance cover the lift...please share ..I'm the one that works for a health insurance company and I too need a lift...so by all means if you find a way..share ! I know if you have had cancer they would ...but for any other reasons I have been told no. Good luck

[Guest guest]

Dr Kolb quoted me $2000.00 for lift which to me is good.

[Guest guest]

I hate to say this, but I would not let that doctor do my surgery.

Try Dr. Kolb, Dr. Huang of Denver also. Both will do great

work and leave you looking as good as possible and both will work

with insurance. Dr. Feng of Cleveland also, but you may have to pay

up front and then fight insurance.

Lynda

At 08:38 AM 6/18/2006, you wrote:

>Hi

>I am scheduled to have surgery in 2 days. On Friday the people in the

>doctor's office still didn't have a time for my surgery and wouldn't

>bother to call in my prescriptions so I could fill them over the

>weekend instead of at the last minute on monday.

>I'm supposed to go pay for my surgery at 9:15 Monday morning. I'm

>stressed out pre surgery and they raised just enough doubt on Friday

>sbout the level of care I'll have that I'm wondering if I should find

>another doctor.

>

>The doctor seems competent enough but so did the one who put these

>things in me. How do I know? He hasn't mentioned 'en bloc' but I

>will ask on Monday. I haven't asked, the past few weeks have been a

>rush to the end of this stressful process, I've been focused on

>getting this approved through insurance and had little time with this

>doctor. I fear that if I have that en bloc procedure I will have a

>concave shape.

>I have bi-lumen implants, done in 1996. Now I have Baker level IV

>contracture. About a week after mamogram a significant lump appeared

>on my left breast. I've had 4 months of tests, doctor appointments,

>doctors on vacation, doctors out sick, doctors leaving the practice.

>I've had 2 mammograms, an MRI, a sonogram, a needle biopsy, and shown

>my breasts to over 25 health care 'professionals'.

>Believe me when I say that I want to get this done ASAP!

>

>My insurance has agreed to cover the removal. Because of the

>condition of my breasts I need a 'lift',. Once the scar tissue is

>removed I won't have any tissue left. I expect to go from a swollen

>and stretched E or EE to an A. They are refusing to cover the lift

>but I haven't starting fighting with them yet. I have been told that

>the state insurance board can help.

>

>Here in Manhattan where everything is ridiculously expensive the lift

>will cost me $6500 done at the time of explant.

>

>I've looked at Dr Kolb's website and found a few references to

>insurance paying for the surgery and evidence that her office has had

>success in getting these approved.

>

>I'm wondering now if I should try to see her. Would I get better care?

>Would they help me deal with the insurance? If insurance ultimately

>does not pay, what would her fee be?

>Help!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Shari, Did you have a lift when you had the implants removed?

I've talked to doctors who insist that it's best to wait for 6 months

after explant to have the lift. I think that would be even more

traumatic for me.

My doctor is planning to put drains in. I know that's important,

fluid flowed out when they did the needle biopsy and since then I

believe that even fluid has accumulated.

I'm not comfortable giving the name of my doctor in a public forum,

when insurance is involved. I plan to pursue coverage for the whole

procedure. So many people have told me that insurance would NEVER

cover the removal that I just accepted that as a fact for years and

suffered with the pain and disfigurement without trying.

Now that I've had the courage to go through this process and have

gotten the removal part through insurance I'm not going to just give

up. I respect the post by the person who works for an insurance

company however I've seen evidence that the whole can be covered if

you go about it the right way. If I exhaust every avenue and still

don't get it approved then I'll be fine with that but I have to try.

-- In , halvey70@... wrote:

>

>

>

> I hope I can help you here - everyone is different not I had my

implants put

> in 1996..... they were taken out in 03.... at first almost everyone

I have

> spoken with experienced the " concave " situation at first inclusing

myself... I

> think this is normal as your body needs time to readjust and your

natural

> tissues that have been smooshed for so long need time to come back

out and

> " fluff " as some of us like to call it. I know you have probably

heard this before

> but it really is true. I went from a 34 AA to a 354 C - had the

implants

> in, under the muscle, for 7 years almost to the day. After removal

I was

> worried.. kinda concave and non-existent for a little while. It

took a good few

> weeks to a month or two for mine to fluff.... this is completely

normal and

> and I have spoken to many women that have had the same thing happen

to them in

> the years I have been w/ this group. You just must be patient.....

after as

> while my breasts looked completely normal... actually after explant

I was on

> some meds that made me put on about 10 lbs so they are even bigger

now. I

> am now a 34-36B. I am not sure what doc you are going to and I

know results

> vary, but I went somewhere local.... Now nobody would know I ever had

> implants unless I told them - you really can not tell at all. my

removal scars were

> below the breast at the case which are a little noticeable as i

didn't use

> vitamin E there... I used vit E on the other 3 operations I had due to

> complications - I had a total of 4 operations. All of the other

scars - armpit.

> nipple, etc., are very faint - I would highly recommend using vit E

on your scar

> when the doc gives you clearance to out stuff on them - it worked

wonders

> for me.... bought the capsules, poked a hold in them, and squeezed

the oil

> right out of the capsule and applied it from there (of course w/

the docs

> permission). It really does work and is much cheaper than other

scar stuff. Just

> an idea. I think it is normal to be nervous but if genuinely have

> reservations about your doc you should be sure to think it thru....

who are you using?

> i know it isn't my business but I have been around a while and know

a lot of

> docs names. listen to your heart and always keep in mind - no

matter WHO

> you go to, there will be the concave effect for a little while all

of your

> smooshed tissues fluff back out... they have been smashed in there

for a while

> so it will take a while for them to come backout., it may make you

> uncomfortable for a while but stuff your bra - do whatever you have

to feel better until

> you heal. Follow the docs instructions... it won't be long.

Before I

> knew it I was looking normal again... my normal, natural, soft

breasts.....i

> could lay on my tummy again.. that was the est part = laying on my

stomach

> without feeling like I was laying on water balloons!!!! I love

them now and have

> NEVER regretted my decision to have them removed - NEVER. My hubby

likes

> them much better now as well as he only saw me with them when we

were dating

> (starting dating about a month post implant). He likes them much

better

> natural.... he dud see before pics but not the real thing. Sorry

for the long post

> - I hope this helps you... just make sure in your gut you have

picked the

> right doc, be prepared for results that are not necessarily what

you expected,

> and remember they WILL change for the better. Also - I would

highly suggest -

> no matter where you go that you insist on drains..... sounds like a

pain but

> I didn't have them and it caused a world of trouble... my " pockets "

where

> the implants were filled w/ fluid and had to be manually drained in

his office

> - no numbing - just a needle that removed over 80 CC's of fluid....

not fun.

> I had to go thru that twice - the drains would definitely be worth

it for me

> no matter how much of a pain they are... trust me there.... some

may not

> agree - just my opinion... that needle was big.....

>

> I will answer any questions you have!! good luck - i will pray for

you!! I

> hope this info helps!

> I just hate to see people surprised after explant at the way they

look.. I

> remember how I felt and I just wanted to make sure you know that it

does not

> stay that way - just give it a little time. email me w/ any

questions,,, I

> know you are nervous now.... it is normal

>

> love

> shari

>

[Guest guest]

I have yet to hear of insurance paying for a lift. In Denver, the

lift is about $2000, I have heard some outrageous quotes for a lift

in some places.

Lynda

At 10:43 AM 6/18/2006, you wrote:

>Shari, Did you have a lift when you had the implants removed?

>I've talked to doctors who insist that it's best to wait for 6 months

>after explant to have the lift. I think that would be even more

>traumatic for me.

>My doctor is planning to put drains in. I know that's important,

>fluid flowed out when they did the needle biopsy and since then I

>believe that even fluid has accumulated.

>I'm not comfortable giving the name of my doctor in a public forum,

>when insurance is involved. I plan to pursue coverage for the whole

>procedure. So many people have told me that insurance would NEVER

>cover the removal that I just accepted that as a fact for years and

>suffered with the pain and disfigurement without trying.

>Now that I've had the courage to go through this process and have

>gotten the removal part through insurance I'm not going to just give

>up. I respect the post by the person who works for an insurance

>company however I've seen evidence that the whole can be covered if

>you go about it the right way. If I exhaust every avenue and still

>don't get it approved then I'll be fine with that but I have to try.

>

>

>

>-- In

><mailto: %40> ,

>halvey70@... wrote:

> >

> >

> >

> > I hope I can help you here - everyone is different not I had my

>implants put

> > in 1996..... they were taken out in 03.... at first almost everyone

>I have

> > spoken with experienced the " concave " situation at first inclusing

>myself... I

> > think this is normal as your body needs time to readjust and your

>natural

> > tissues that have been smooshed for so long need time to come back

>out and

> > " fluff " as some of us like to call it. I know you have probably

>heard this before

> > but it really is true. I went from a 34 AA to a 354 C - had the

>implants

> > in, under the muscle, for 7 years almost to the day. After removal

>I was

> > worried.. kinda concave and non-existent for a little while. It

>took a good few

> > weeks to a month or two for mine to fluff.... this is completely

>normal and

> > and I have spoken to many women that have had the same thing happen

>to them in

> > the years I have been w/ this group. You just must be patient.....

>after as

> > while my breasts looked completely normal... actually after explant

>I was on

> > some meds that made me put on about 10 lbs so they are even bigger

>now. I

> > am now a 34-36B. I am not sure what doc you are going to and I

>know results

> > vary, but I went somewhere local.... Now nobody would know I ever had

> > implants unless I told them - you really can not tell at all. my

>removal scars were

> > below the breast at the case which are a little noticeable as i

>didn't use

> > vitamin E there... I used vit E on the other 3 operations I had due to

> > complications - I had a total of 4 operations. All of the other

>scars - armpit.

> > nipple, etc., are very faint - I would highly recommend using vit E

>on your scar

> > when the doc gives you clearance to out stuff on them - it worked

>wonders

> > for me.... bought the capsules, poked a hold in them, and squeezed

>the oil

> > right out of the capsule and applied it from there (of course w/

>the docs

> > permission). It really does work and is much cheaper than other

>scar stuff. Just

> > an idea. I think it is normal to be nervous but if genuinely have

> > reservations about your doc you should be sure to think it thru....

>who are you using?

> > i know it isn't my business but I have been around a while and know

>a lot of

> > docs names. listen to your heart and always keep in mind - no

>matter WHO

> > you go to, there will be the concave effect for a little while all

>of your

> > smooshed tissues fluff back out... they have been smashed in there

>for a while

> > so it will take a while for them to come backout., it may make you

> > uncomfortable for a while but stuff your bra - do whatever you have

>to feel better until

> > you heal. Follow the docs instructions... it won't be long.

>Before I

> > knew it I was looking normal again... my normal, natural, soft

>breasts.....i

> > could lay on my tummy again.. that was the est part = laying on my

>stomach

> > without feeling like I was laying on water balloons!!!! I love

>them now and have

> > NEVER regretted my decision to have them removed - NEVER. My hubby

>likes

> > them much better now as well as he only saw me with them when we

>were dating

> > (starting dating about a month post implant). He likes them much

>better

> > natural.... he dud see before pics but not the real thing. Sorry

>for the long post

> > - I hope this helps you... just make sure in your gut you have

>picked the

> > right doc, be prepared for results that are not necessarily what

>you expected,

> > and remember they WILL change for the better. Also - I would

>highly suggest -

> > no matter where you go that you insist on drains..... sounds like a

>pain but

> > I didn't have them and it caused a world of trouble... my " pockets "

>where

> > the implants were filled w/ fluid and had to be manually drained in

>his office

> > - no numbing - just a needle that removed over 80 CC's of fluid....

>not fun.

> > I had to go thru that twice - the drains would definitely be worth

>it for me

> > no matter how much of a pain they are... trust me there.... some

>may not

> > agree - just my opinion... that needle was big.....

> >

> > I will answer any questions you have!! good luck - i will pray for

>you!! I

> > hope this info helps!

> > I just hate to see people surprised after explant at the way they

>look.. I

> > remember how I felt and I just wanted to make sure you know that it

>does not

> > stay that way - just give it a little time. email me w/ any

>questions,,, I

> > know you are nervous now.... it is normal

> >

> > love

> > shari

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

, Something you need to keep in mind when dealing with these doctor is that THEY ARE WORKING FOR YOU! . . Think of how you would consider an employee that didn't have the time to discuss your most important project with you, and kept you in the dark about so many issues. Make absolutely sure you and your doctor are on the same page, and that you can trust him! . . . If not, find another doctor! . . . Your health is at risk! . . . You'll pay with your health for years to come if the job is done poorly! . . . I know it's a hassle . . and that you don't feel like fighting another battle. But this is the most important battle you'll have for a long time, and you want to win this one! Lifts are considered cosmetic and not covered! . .. Insurance finally seems to be coming around in paying for explant though . . . Seems they understand

it's cheaper to pay to have them removed than to pay to keep a woman sick! Hugs and prayers, Rogene

[Guest guest]

That is very good, same as Denver.

Lynda

At 11:58 AM 6/18/2006, you wrote:

>Dr Kolb quoted me $2000.00 for lift which to me is good.

>