Since Laura asked, I figure there are more people out there who may want to know what I had to do to get insurance to approve it. Well, Benjamin's insurance approved it with no problem. My new insurance required 3 months of documentation of my breasts bothering me. I had nasty skin stuff under my breasts, so for the past 3 years, I have gotten prescribed yeast medication to get rid of it. That never worked at all and I gave up on medication all together cuz it was impossible to keep moisture away! So, I had a little documentation from my OB since she was basically the only doctor I had seen in a year. Luckily, I started seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis as well. Even more lucky, I had seen them for over 3 months!
Every insurance requirements are different. The insurance lady at the plastic surgeon's office really helped me. She knew exactly what the insurance company required without even talking to the company. My OB did refer me to the plastic surgeon, so that may be all that is needed. I went in uneducated about the insurance side of things, but I knew a lot about the surgery itself. You can actually Google what specific insurances require for a breast reduction (technically called a reduction mammoplasty). Hope that helps!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Breast Reduction
It was a month ago today that I had my surgery. A surgery that I have thought about since middle school. I can't believe that insurance okayed it! It was all at the last minute, so I didn't really prepare that much.
Let me explain. In June, when I went to see the plastic surgeon, I was only covered under Benjamin's insurance. Over a month later, his insurance approved it and I was going to pay a certain percentage of it. I picked a day when I would be on vacation from work. Then, I got a job and new insurance. My new insurance needed a lot of documentation before they would okay it. AND they let themselves take a whole 30 days before they had to approve anything. I tried to get the necessary paperwork in before the 19th of November because my surgery was on the 20th of December. Anyway, it's December 14th (a week before surgery) and I still had no clue if this thing was gonna happen or not. I had to decide if I should go to my pre-op appointment. I did go and 2 days later, I found out my surgery was approved! I was just beside myself excited. I had a whole new wardrobe to buy!
So, on the 17th, I shopped for jammies and shirts that buttoned up. On the 18th, Benjamin graduated from college. On the 19th was Benjamin's birthday. Then, it was the 20th. I was the first surgery of the day, so I had to be at the hospital by 5:30 a.m. (Benjamin was really excited about that!) I had the option of staying all night or just staying for a few hours.
I was oddly not really nervous about this surgery. When I went in to have Jordyn, I was scared that I may not come home. I was just ready to have my chest gone! I remember them giving me some anti-anxiety drug, then I got wheeled into the operating room. The anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask over my face, told me it wasn't the good stuff yet, then I woke up to the room flipping around. I say flipping, because the lights went from the ceiling to the floor. Nothing was spinning around, just flipping.
I was brought back to the same day surgery room, had a coke, and had some pain meds. I really didn't feel a whole bunch of pain. I was expecting what my first c-section was like, but it wasn't anything like that. Looking down was SO wired because I could actually SEE my stomach! I did decide I felt well enough to go home, so I made sure to stay long enough to have more pain pills (because Benjamin doesn't drive too nicely when you're cut open), and I went home.
I feel like my body is what it is supposed to be now. I was so uncomfortable in my body before the surgery. I didn't even realize how uncomfortable until after the surgery. My breast size affected everything from how I hold my arms to how I hold my children. The scabs and scars were daunting the first few days after the tape came off, but I've grown used to it. Life in my body just feels better! The best part is that I didn't really need to go and buy new clothes, my old clothes fit me better AND clothes that didn't fit before fit me now. I don't have cleavage up to my neck and I don't have to wear a camisole to hide things anymore. It is truly life changing in the best way!
Let me explain. In June, when I went to see the plastic surgeon, I was only covered under Benjamin's insurance. Over a month later, his insurance approved it and I was going to pay a certain percentage of it. I picked a day when I would be on vacation from work. Then, I got a job and new insurance. My new insurance needed a lot of documentation before they would okay it. AND they let themselves take a whole 30 days before they had to approve anything. I tried to get the necessary paperwork in before the 19th of November because my surgery was on the 20th of December. Anyway, it's December 14th (a week before surgery) and I still had no clue if this thing was gonna happen or not. I had to decide if I should go to my pre-op appointment. I did go and 2 days later, I found out my surgery was approved! I was just beside myself excited. I had a whole new wardrobe to buy!
So, on the 17th, I shopped for jammies and shirts that buttoned up. On the 18th, Benjamin graduated from college. On the 19th was Benjamin's birthday. Then, it was the 20th. I was the first surgery of the day, so I had to be at the hospital by 5:30 a.m. (Benjamin was really excited about that!) I had the option of staying all night or just staying for a few hours.
I was oddly not really nervous about this surgery. When I went in to have Jordyn, I was scared that I may not come home. I was just ready to have my chest gone! I remember them giving me some anti-anxiety drug, then I got wheeled into the operating room. The anesthesiologist put an oxygen mask over my face, told me it wasn't the good stuff yet, then I woke up to the room flipping around. I say flipping, because the lights went from the ceiling to the floor. Nothing was spinning around, just flipping.
I was brought back to the same day surgery room, had a coke, and had some pain meds. I really didn't feel a whole bunch of pain. I was expecting what my first c-section was like, but it wasn't anything like that. Looking down was SO wired because I could actually SEE my stomach! I did decide I felt well enough to go home, so I made sure to stay long enough to have more pain pills (because Benjamin doesn't drive too nicely when you're cut open), and I went home.
I feel like my body is what it is supposed to be now. I was so uncomfortable in my body before the surgery. I didn't even realize how uncomfortable until after the surgery. My breast size affected everything from how I hold my arms to how I hold my children. The scabs and scars were daunting the first few days after the tape came off, but I've grown used to it. Life in my body just feels better! The best part is that I didn't really need to go and buy new clothes, my old clothes fit me better AND clothes that didn't fit before fit me now. I don't have cleavage up to my neck and I don't have to wear a camisole to hide things anymore. It is truly life changing in the best way!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
2010--Year in Review
Well, Jordyn was playing with my computer, and therefore turned off my wireless. I had written a big long blog about the family, but it got erased!! :( So...I guess I'll try it again!
Jordyn
She turned 1 in October. Grandma and Grandpa Jones (my grandparents) happened to be visiting Tennessee during that time, so they were able to come. I think it's cool that they've been to her first birthday party as well as her blessing day. She hasn't quite learned to walk yet, but she cruises all around the house with aids from the walls and furniture. She loves playing Peek-a-boo and her first phrase is "uh-oh." She uses "uh-oh" everytime she drops her frog or anything else on the floor.
Bayleigh
She is nearly 4. I can't believe how time has flown by. She is able to do things that I've seen 2nd graders struggle to do! I know if I try, she could learn to read easily, but I don't want to push it on her just yet. She plays well with Jordyn, but she still has jealousy issues when her grandparents are around! Bayleigh loves to be helpful and to make things with anyone who will let her help. She can be so grown up sometimes!!
Benjamin
He finally graduated!! He now has a Bachelor's in Forgien Languages with concentrations in Spanish and Portuguese. What is he gonna do with that? Well, he's trying to become a Spanish teacher for now. He also received Associate of the Year for his branch of Terminix. This is quite a feat since he worked 4 days a week and went to school 2 days a week. I am so pround of him! He has worked really hard.
Me (Michelle)
Well, I did get a job. I resigned from it before Christmas. It was taking too much of a toll on me, my kids, and school. I've been hanging out with Jordyn recovering from my breast reduction. Jordyn is such a sweet kid! She makes me smile all day long! She is so much easier than Bayleigh was, so she is making life fun for me right now. I am waiting to hear back about my internship placement for school counseling. Once I finish this, I'll have my master's in school counseling. I already passed the state test, so I'm trying to get motivated to get these 300 hours completed by May.
Well, that is what the year was like in the Bybee house!
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