In the beginning…

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Like most women I looked into Breast reduction with an open mind, but I was very cautious. I did not want to get my hopes up and have them crushed with an insurance denial. I knew I was not as big (bust wise) as many of the women I have seen pictures of, and I knew I was young, and I knew I was overweight. Being a military spouse I had the insurance Tricare, there for I had to get a referral to the military plastic surgeons office to get the ball rolling.

For all the bad that can happen in the military health care system I have to say I was continually blessed though out my Breast Reduction journey. I went to my family Doctor June 2^nd for a check up and I mentioned the thought of a reduction. I was sure it would be knocked down because my son was so young, and I did need to lose some weight, but bless his heart he put that consult in. Things went very fast at that point, about 2 weeks later I received a letter and was referred out of the military hospital since they were all booked up in plastic surgery, and was told to chose a civilian Plastic Surgion off a list. By this time I was in contact with a lady who was in my area and about three weeks post op. she referred me to her surgeon, and he was on the military providers list. I called and made my first consult appointment for July 6.

Preparing for the consult was pretty nerve wracking. All I knew was that I would be able to ask some questions and the Dr would take some pictures of my breasts for the insurance company… I searched online and found lists of what I should ask, and I tried to prepare myself for utter humiliation… I mean who wants pictures of your saggy breasts sent to a total stranger! But I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at the office and everything was very professional yet comfortable. I spoke to the Doctors nurse for a few minutes, and then I met the Dr. we all spoke for a while, I asked about him, and his practice, and then some questions about the operation. They then asked me if I was still interested, and when I said yes, they instructed me to take my shirt and bra off and put on a fluffy white robe and the Dr would come back and take some pictures. After I changed the Doctor and his nurse returned and quickly examined my breasts and took a few pictures. They left the room again, and I changed back into my clothes. When I was changed the Doctor and his nurse returned and we spoke a few more minutes, and he told me they would be in touch when they heard from the insurance company. All in all it was pretty painless, even after letting someone other than my wonderful husband see my breasts that I was so ashamed of. I think the fact that I still was able to maintain some dignity through out the consult buy having some privacy to disrobe that made me feel very comfortable with this Dr. After working for several years in hospitals taking care of people I have learned that Bedside manner is not the most important of a Doctors Skills, but it surely helps with patients nerves… and it sure did with mine.

I was lucky, we had some family visiting for most of my wait on the insurance, so when the call came from the Plastic surgeons office on July 17^th telling me I was approved I was honestly shocked because it came so fast and I was pre occupied with my family. I was told I needed to schedule right around 30 days from that day and to make my decision and to call back. Being that I lived very far from Family I knew that I would need to have someone come and help me with the kids for a while. My husband was going to take off 14 days, but I knew with a 27 lb 11 month old I needed a little longer than that before I would be lifting my little guy, so I did what all women should be able to do, I called my wonderful mother.

Mom and I had already spoken about this, and she had offered to fly the 5000 miles and stay with us for a couple weeks to help with the recovery. I called her minutes after I was told I was approved and we decided that she could get here by the 17^th of August. I then called my surgeons secretary and circled the 17^th of August. That would be my day to go over the rainbow :-)