Breast Reduction - Interesting experience Surgeon #1 vs #2

[SpecialK 22]

Hi LAP-BAND® friends. I am happy to report that I got approved by my Aetna

insurance for my breast reductionn and lift surgery and it will be on April 22.

Apologize in advance for a VERY Long post here but doing this so those who consider Plastic Surgery post WLS will learn from my experience.

Sorry to say I had a totally different experience with my 2nd opinion surgery consult I went to who is the primary plastic surgeon the hospital where I had my bariatric surgery.

It was a very easy decision to choose Dr #1 for me and I felt the relationship and comfort I had in who my plastic surgeon is was critical as well as their skill.

Surgeon #1 experience:

Scheduled me for an appointment quickly after I contacted the office.

Sent me a very nice packet of info in advance to my home to review.

Requested my mammograms and a PCP or other supporting doctor letter for recommendations of past breast history. Dr. had reviewed info in advance and gave the mammogram films back and said she appreciated me getting them in

advance.

Appointment was on a very snowy day when offices were closing but they didn't cancel.

Office is set off two roads that are in a very safe area.

Office staff greeted me and were very friendly and welcoming, nice surroundings for the office.

Dr. #1 invited me back to her office to talk with me before I was taken to an exam room to disrobe. She had reviewed all the materials she had received in advance and gave me a positive view that she felt I was a good candidate.

Pictures:She had an assistant come in to take the naked pictures. It went fast and was not as embarrassing as I worried it might be.

Exam -- she did a breast exam plus examined for symmetry, asked me what size, etc. talked about what the possible complications could be, explained, etc.

After exam - invited me back to her office to finish discussing moving ahead and then escorted me back to the Financial person to give me the info about payment, estimates on costs, etc.

Financial person was profession and helpful. It is uncomfortable to be told you have to pre-pay upfront 2 weeks for any uncovered surgery costs.

Insurance Submission: Office staff submitted for insurance approval to Aetna - got approved in 2-3 weeks.

Surgery schedule date offered on March 4th for April 6 (1 month out) but I can't do that date due to work deadline so I chose April 22.

Okay, Dr. #2 experience:

Office is located off a major road in a place hard to pull into, has locked doors for security to get in due to where it is located. I had a hard time getting out of the parking lot due to heavy traffic.

The lobby had Hard Rock music blaring making it hard to concentrate while I filled out the forms. Obviously the young staff in the office picks the music based on their taste without thinking what patients might like.

Receptionists gave me a set of paperwork to complete -not sent to me in advance- the forms were Xeroxed crooked on cheap paper and were basic and did not ask for near the medical history and things that Dr. #1 paperwork packet did.

Visit - Provocatively dressed receptionist takes me back to disrobe immediately without meeting the surgeon first. Got put for at least 15-20 min to sit there in room with my gown on and I could hear the doctor and staff talking outside

the door about other patients and the walls of the exam rooms were obviously paper thin walls. Seriously thinking of walking out because of that.

Dr - Very professional and very skilled. - He saw I had breast rash pictures, and mammogram films in the chair, did not look at them, did not ask to see the mammogram films, did not do a breast exam, but did a minimal exam (2 min.)of my breasts. Tried to talk me out of proceeding for any breast surgery at least for several more months if I am going to lose any more weight this year. He didn't even ask why I would want to proceed now versus wait.

He then talked to his office person outside the door and told her what financial quotes she should give me - I could hear every word he said outside with the door closed. She comes in and takes pictures --picture this--she was in a tight black mini-dress, up to her butt, fortunately had white knit tights on to cover her butt and legs but then was wearing 5" high spike heels. Clearly he hires young, beautiful women for his office and they all have had big boob jobs. It is

intimidating to have to have naked pictures taken under this situation. She starts saying she needs a face picture first so that she won't get breast pictures on the same camera confused with someone else's pictures. Are you kidding me telling me you could make that kind of mistake?

She left, said get dressed - we'll send the financial lady in.

Financial lady Sarah comes in - she is another young lady with big boobs too, doesn't have the $ info I need, comes back twice, hands me paperwork and just leaves me to figure it out myself. Says she will start submitting for Pre-D and it could take a month before I'd know, I should contact my own insurance company in 3 weeks to try to encourage them to act faster.

Okay, I call Dr. #2 next day - definitely know I don't like them and don't want to proceed. I get same receptionist answers, and ask for Sarah to tell her not to proceed with any insurance approval work - it would be a waste of their time.

Receptionist says Sarah is out today can I take a message. I ask if I can leave a voicemail for Sarah. Nope, no voicemail, receiptionist says I'll write her a note and give it to her...not sure Sarah will get the note.

If this Dr. #2 ever calls and asks why I didn't come back, it will be easy to remember why I didn't go back even for Tummy Tuck after this experience.

I will give another friend who is very happy with her tummy tuck and arm lift a chance on my 2nd consult for tummy tuck and my arms maybe a year from now if I don't think I want Dr. #1 for that also.

So, go with what your gut tells you on who you want as a plastic surgeon. OHJuli had told me that and now I totally understand why she drove 2 hours to another town to find the plastic surgeon she could really trust.

Edited March 6, 2010 by SpecialK

[Mimilou2004 13]

Wow, SK, that is some different experiences. The contrasts are remarkable. That music, alone, would have been enough to have me run screaming from the office. I was most impressed with Doc #1 asking for mammo-I was surprised that mine never did. I had one on my own a month before the surgery.

Thanks for posting your experiences.

Mimi

[fourme 0]

I know this is sorta off topic,,, but how did you get AETNA to approve this procedure. Have you been having back pain, or shouder pain? Thanks so much for the info.

[SpecialK 22]

Yes, I said I was having pain in my neck, shoulders and back that I felt was related to the excess weight in my chest and I had breast rash pictures to back up my complaints of the rubbing problems. I got my Primary Care Dr. to also support the surgery with her recommendation. They take photos to submit to insurance and I guess with medical history, photos and size of breasts in the pictures, Aetna decided to just okay it without fighting. I was prepared to have to appeal if needed.

Glad I didn't have to.

I know this is sorta off topic,,, but how did you get AETNA to approve this procedure. Have you been having back pain, or shouder pain? Thanks so much for the info.

[nurse niki 0]

Kathy, I am so sorry that your second opinion was a bed experience! My visit with Dr Houser was much like yours with Dr #1! Having a good relationship with your physician is so important! After all, you are putting your life in their hands!