plastic surgery

so where to start since last Oct I have been having problems with lower abdominal rashes and infection and each time I get one its worse then the previous one .In the last seven months I've had 5 episodes. I will spare you the deals but its not pleasant not at all . Then I have had a long standing problem with large breast and back ache's shoulder pain rashes limits in my ability to do some forms of exercise. so with the last rash I had ,had enough (pain, Oder ,drainage ,yuck) I called my PCP then I called a plastic surgeon had pictures (gross and embarrassing but had to do them ). and then started the waiting game and then  OMG about a thousand phone calls. Call  this one, then that one .back to this person wait to be called back (don't get called back) from that one then that person told one thing but another person told me something else.   then the plastic surgeons office didn't send out all the right paper work ( twice) so get that sent then start back at square one and do it all again. and around and around you go. Its a good thing I can be a pain in the butt cause I'm sure I would still be on hold some where if I wasn't. Then I was told I was denied I appealed told I needed more paper work(the not sent stuff) and finally to day after being on the phone all day I'm approved for a breast lift and reduction and a Panniculectomy. The surgeon and had want a tummy tuck and panniculectomy (panny)  and if you summit them together chances are you'll get it approved but the nurse at the Dr office only summit ed one. So she sent the paper work in to day for the tummy tuck but I don't hold out great hope of that getting it approved now.  I'm so tired of it all and I'm fine with the Panny It will get rid of the rash/infections and that's what I want. The breast reduction/lift will get rid of the back pain and problems even though insurance wants me to have more removed then the doctor did I'm fine with that, and the surgeon will do it.  I've had big boobs all my life and to now have small ones with no rashes , no pain, being able to exercise without pain or discomfort being able to find clothes that fit and buying bra's off the rack let me see ya I think I can live with that so I might have a mind freak  ( will go from a gg cup to most likely a b cup.)for a while I'm sure I'll get over it . Like the first day its really hot and I'm not all sweaty under the boobs or riding my bike with only one bra on in stead of two so as to try and hold things in place.I'm looking forward to jogging on the treadmill or in the street  ( some thing I have not done in oh 35-40 years) because right now the bounce from even a fast trip down the stairs might leave me with  1)sore  shoulder and neck and 2) with a black eye lol. the journey isn't over yet I need to get a surgery date and then get through the surgery. And until then hope insurance doesn't change there mind or discover something else missing that was never sent. but there is now at least a light at the end of the tunnel. and with any hope I'll get surgery done before another infection/rash happens. so I haven't posted much lately but this is one of the reasons why so I just wanted to put this out there as an FYI
Nancee

Wow Nancee.  I too know how frustrating it is to keep getting the run around in regard to insurance matters.  I'm just glad you finally got approved!  Just hold on, the hard part is over.

Hugs!

thanks  I hope this is the end of the road I would love to get on with my life.

WOW that is a lot to have to go through but your persistance paid off!  Good luck to you on your surgery!

thanks

Hey there Nancee-

Congrats on the approvals you do have - but reading the run around you have been on - and given the experience I have had with my plastics, I have to be honest.  I am afraid for you.

PLEASE make sure you get a very detailed quote from this doc regarding the work he is going to do.  The panni will not address the muscles and get you flat - but depending on how he does it, you could end up just as unhappy as you are now.  I had a doc last year that I paid to upgrade to a TT after insurance approved me for the panni and all he did was the panni - and he did a jacked up job of it.  He only did the lower part of my stomach so everything above my navel is still there and instead of the rashes and discomfort I had before, I have a constant pulling sensation and discomfort because of the overhanging skin that now hangs over my scar.  

I would STRONGLY urge you to do a consult with at least one other doc - if you have an insurance approval, you can always transfer that approval to another doctor - but the run around and misunderstandings you detail here sound a lot like what I went through last year and I am going to pray for you that things work out - but I am afraid for you girlfriend.  

thanks for the advice my problem isnt the Dr. she's wants to do more Its my insurance company holding up the show and saying what she can and can't do. so that's  why I keep runnig around with them. I know the panni will leave the above skin but at this point the rash/infection are out of control and some thing has to be done The  skin is open, raw, hurts and drains/weeps and it doesn't smell good. walking or sitting is uncomfortable when its bad. so doing nothing is not a choice for me and summer is on the way and I don't even want to think about been in the heat. the Doctor has put in an apeal for them to ok  a tummy tuck so thats what I'm waiting on now .I will be spending another day on the phone dealing the the insurance folk and it takes all day talk with this one then that then wait for call backs that never come and then repeat the whole thing and with any luck I'll get some one who can help. thats for the concern and advice  wish me luck and I'll post when I have an answer

Thanks for sharing and I pray everythings work out with your plastics :)

So glad to hear that everything worked out for you Ma

thanks for the support  and the kind words I hope to have this all behind me soon but waiting on one last approvial from the insurance folks  talked with the doctors office and looking at 2nd week in june  I'll keep you updated and thanks again