My Plastic Surgery Consultation

Afternoon Gorgeous And Handsome People!! Sorry for my not posting much here lately but I have been sooooo busy. We went on Vacation for 8 days in Vegas and had a blast! Then back to the real world and as always so much to do and never enough time to get it all done! My oldest daughter has moved back home with us to "regroup" and it is so good having her back home! She has really had a difficult time since losgin her dad in 2000 and has been a "lost soul" who is finally dealing with it all.  I went for my plastic surgery consultation with Dr. Bergman on the 21st. Carmen, let me tell you thanks for letting me know about her! She is totally awesome! They spent almost 2 hours with me! I had to see a couple of procedure videos and then the Dr. came in to go over all my medical history and covered each procedure in full detail for me. She covered all options and prices with me.I loved the easy maner she has and the knowledge she shared with me. Then it was off the examining room for pictures with the famous paper panties! LOL I was totally amazed as she held my skin this way and that to show me what all would be gone after surgery. She said I was an excellent candidate for the 2 procedures I am interested in. Her office assistant agreeed to mail my letter of medical necessity pre determination to my insurance company (where I also work) to my attention so I can deliver my "photos" in person to the claims examiner. The packet arrived at the office on Thursday...very professional and speedy. I turned them in this morning and now I wait to see what the  medical examiner decides about what is covered under medical necessity.  I find myself getting excited thinking of the possibility of having this excess skin removed. Being tall as I am and wearing a body shaper under my clothes it is hard to see the full impact of my loose skin. I am so ready to be rid of the "burdon" and medically I look forward to not having further risk of skin infections and rashes to deal with. Having been diagnosed with malignate melanoma 4 1/2 years ago I am so careful with my skin and check it all the time for any "spots" This will be  an added bonus to keep my skin healthy.  I will keep you all posted as to my progress with this thru my insurance. Other than that I am doing wonderful. Still holding my weight in the same range and feeling super! I am down a total of about 135 pounds. Each day I am so blessed by the renewed quality of life and physical joy of my journey. I remember you all on here in my prayers daily even as I get to busy to post. You are my treasured support family and I am so grateful for all your care and support.  i wish you all a most wonderful holiday weekend! Keep blooming! Life is so wonderful!! :o) Hugs! Marianne

I finally made my first contact with Dr. Bergman today to schedule my consult.  Keep us posted on your progress.  Hope you end up such a work of art that you are immortalized on their "before and after" page. Luv ya,

Marianne, I'm glad your consult went well. Mine is July 25th. I scheduled it back in March or so...but did it that late on purpose. I can't take off of work for FMLA again until August/September (because of being off for my 2 foot surgeries last fall). The receptionist that I made the apointment with said it usually took about a month to get things through with insurance. I'm really not holding my breath for them to pay much but any amount would be less that I have to. What two procedures are you going for...and how much did she say they would cost? If you don't feel comfortable posting it for everyone to see, please drop me an email or contact me through here. I'm hoping to get a body lift, thigh lift, and a breast lift. I'm not at the weight I had wanted to be at prior to having the ps done but I've been pretty stable at this weight for about 18 months now. I would say that this is where my body feels the happiest at. As much as we plan to travel this summer, we can't help but to hope for at least one trip to Vegas this year! We are thinking maybe for our anniversary in November...... Sherri

Sherri, I went for a tummy tuck full procedure and a breast lift with augmentation. She submitted it to the insurance for a panni and breast lift. They work out estimates for you at the appointment and if I were to have the full tummy tuck and breast lift with implants it would be just under $13,000 with no insurance paying. My understanding is that insurance if approved will cover the panni but not a tummy tuck. A panni will adress only the roll of apron skin and nothing above or below that. Well that would be a help however most of us have excess skin issues above and below that. The full tummy tuck she descrobed for me would be to cut me hip to hip, about mid way thru my upper roll midriff and the do a u shaped cut below my pubic line. They would also lipo the mons and rib side flanks to contour for a smooth shape the full length of my tuck. They will go in and sew the muscles and pull them tight to give a hard solid tummy. All in all I was really impressed with what they can do :o).By her estimates, they will apply the panni (if covered by insurance) amount to the tummy tuck and I would pay the rest. They estimated it would run about $3700.00 for my portion on that one procedure. If I only do one, that would be it. Usually the breast augmentation is not covered medically, but I am hopeful :o) She asked what my expectations were and I told her anything that does not resemble tube socks would be great! LOL She cracked up on that one! I just want the excess skin removed. She said she could restore my breast tissue to a "b" or a "b-I" or saline implants to make a full "c". If I go with implants I would do the saline. I do know that usually for a panni to be considered medically necessary the "overhang" needs to be over the thighs. Once I get my pre determination from my insurance carrier it is good for 12 months. That is why I went now. If I get the procedure done it will be after September 1 as that is the best time for me to take off with new accrewal of my sick days and my section 125 monies. They said there are companies that will work with you to finance your surgeries and that may be an option I will check out. I am hoping that the medical examiner who determines the medical necessity for my procedures will take into account my being diagnosed with malignate melanoma in 2002 and having gone thru cancer surgery for that. I have to really watch my skin for ny abnormalities and having the rash and skin infections would  dangerous for my overall health. I should hear something in the next 2 weeks and I will keep you posted.   We ussually go to Vegas in September too but it all depends on my surgery. It sounds like you and Bill have a full summer agenda! I hope you have a blast! Have a super weekend! Hugs! Marianne

Marianne, The place that finances medical things is : https://www.carecredit.com/ . They financed my Lasik in January. I just about have that paid off...actually, I've been kinda stretching it out so that I'll have it paid off about the time I have my ps done. They will finance up to $20,000 for anything medical/dental/optical for you and you r family..INCLUDING YOUR PETS! LOL! I am really considering implants myself. I don't want to be below a 'C'.  Sherri

I am so glad you posted!!!  I was just thinking about you the other day.  I was wondering how it all went.  I really love Dr. B and am happy you liked her too.  One thing that really made me feel good was that she called me at home 5 times after my surgery!  Just to check in and make me feel better!!!  I really felt good about that!  She also just has a way of making a person feel beautiful.  I don't know how she does it but her manners just make me feel so worthy and pretty!!!  I have the best breast in the world and couldn't be happier with my contour and shape she gave me!!!  I hope this go well with the insurance part and will be looking for the next update!!! 

 

Blessings!!!!

 

One more thing!!!  She held my hand and touched my check, telling me how it was all going to be great just as I was falling off to sleep in the OR!!!  Kind Of like a Mom would do!

 

I can't wait till I'm ready for PS. I already know what I want to work on first! Can you post Dr. Grassee/Dr. Bergman's contact information on here, so I can jot it down to have for the future? Linda Vicory

Hey Maryann, It is sooo good to see you  again,I've missed ya!!! Sounds like you have had a busy Spring! I am really considering calling Grasse/Bergman myself. My weight has been about the same for 4 mo. now, and my tummy sag is awful! I doubt our Ins. will apy much- and the financial aspect is what worries me/us most. With hubby now retired, we have to watch our $$ carefully. I'll keep your daughter in my prayers.I know as a Mom of a "wandering soul, now returned " how relieved you must be to have her home. If ever you need a shoulder to lean on, I'm here for you.(((hugs))) We are goofing off today & tomorrow- now that is over. Just enough to wear this Grammy out . Plus, I baked cookies for him and burned the heck out of my arm. LONG TIME- NO DO- so I really am a  out of it & clutz. Siily me trying to grab a spoon that was falling off the counter with a hot pan in my hands! OUCH!! Have a great weekend everyone, (((lots of hugs))) Ellen