NOLA in September?
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Thank you so much to those of you who answer all of my endless questions and who commented & PM'd me suggestions about the insurance. I've never gone out of network before (OK, I have, but was too lazy to turn in the claims). A wonderful woman from the center's insurance dept. called me, called my insurance company, and due to a logo called Multi-plan on the back of my insurance card (a special network that United Healthcare is part of) and the out of pocket maximum, it is total doable. Crossing my fingers that this info is all correct, but my huband said not to worry (I'm the frugal one).
I completed chemo two weeks ago with good results, but it is an aggressive cancer and I just last week changed my plans from implants to flap recontruction. I'm hoping to get a date soon for bilateral BMX/immediate reconstruction!!! If the date they give me seems to be too far out, I'll beg my original BS for a lumpectomy to tide me over... But I have faith that despite childcare, escorts, etc. somehow it will all work out. My husband said get a date and we'll deal with it. I'm looking forward to joining your "club."
Another good reason I really want to go to the center, the local PS's were telling me it is about a fifteen hour to seventeen hour surgery or more -- I'm hearing from you all that it's less than ten at NOLA!
Did you have anyone "follow" you at home, if so, BS or PS?
I requested Dr. DellaCroce. Did you request a doctor for the mastectomy part, or is there someone in particular who works with DellCroce?
Thanks so much, Jenifer
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Jenifer, I did not request a specific mast doctor. I was told it depended on the day of the week that the surgery is scheduled. I had Dr. Cary Gray. I really liked him as I recently posted. My surgery time was 9 hours (DIEP + hip flaps). I met with my regular doctor at home to get my pre-op stuff done (EKG, etc.) and discuss my upcoming plan. I also called to inform my regular BS and both doctors' offices were supportive. I had an issue post op and was told by NOLA to head to the ER to rule out a blood clot within the week of my returning home. Still no diagnosis for this, but no blood clot so I was relieved. I still have numbness and discomfort on the front of my thigh and am thinking nerve damage from the surgery or onQ pain ball infiltration. NOLA told me it could be a year for it to clear up. I am still exercising as if nothing is wrong but mention it to let you know that things can be dealt with.
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Hi Paula!
Happy Birthday to our boobs! One year ago we were in NOLA, on the operating table! I echo what you said - I am feeling good, eating better, exercising and doing yoga, and pretty pleased with how I look! I check the board frequently though don't post much these days - busy with lots of travel these last few months, and more coming up. But all of you ladies are always in my heart and prayers.
Amy
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Hi Ladies, I have another question on traveling to NOLA. For those of you that flew to NOLA, did you book round trip or one way? To know the specific day(in advance)that you will be cleared to fly home........ sounds like a shot in the dark. It's more expensive to book a one way ticket or to change the ticket once booked. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks! katiejane
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Today is my one year anniversary for finishing chemo... YAY!!!
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Betsy - Yay indeed! What a year you have had since then too! I'm so glad you've come through so strong, and you're so helpful with info for the rest of us!
Next Tuesday, DH & I will drive to NOLA for consultation with Dr. S on Thursday. What should we do with our time on Wed-Thurs?
I still don't have much stamina after a year of treatment, so we'll sight-see as much as I can stand, and eat good food. 0 -
Ride the streetcar uptown... You can buy a day pass for like $2, and then you can get off and on as often as you like.. Maybe also go to the Audubon Zoo?? And of course walk the Quarter, have a beignet at Cafe du Monde.
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Congrats one year anniversary ladies!
Katiejane, I booked round trip with Southwest - free luggage if you need it. I had an extra bag filled with the bandages, etc. that NOLA provides - although I only took a carry on backpack for my necessities. I am a ridiculously light traveler but I really did not need much for NOLA. Just a button down baggy shirt, scrub pants, slip on shoes.
I arrived on a Sunday, pre op on Monday, surgery on Tuesday, d/c on Sunday evening (was supposed to be Friday morning d/c but the meds / anesthesia messed with me: I could not eat due to N & V or sleep = big yuck), post op Tuesday, quick check of strange rash on Wednesday (!) before our flight home.
Peace to you all!
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Katiejane & Esmerelda, I sent you guys private messages. If you want to view, go to the top left and click this option. When I first started posting here I missed a pm from someone until they told me it existed. Maybe you are more observant than me!
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Jane123, I haven't received any PM's--don't know if the problem is w/ this new site.....
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Katiejane - I would definitely look into flying Southwest and talk to Katie at the Center about your likely day of discharge (from their care, not from the hospital, as you will go from the hospital to a hotel, and then go to the Center for your post-op check a few days later.) Depending on the time of your post-op, you may be able to leave NOLA that day. Again, that's where Katie can help you with the details. The reason I say Southwest is because you can change your flights and not have to pay a change fee, just pay the difference in fare. And if you have to change and the fare is less than it would have been for your original booking, you will get a credit for the amount, that is good to use for up to one year. They are the only airline that I am aware of that doesn't charge a change fee.
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Dana,
I added your dates to the listing above.
Esmerelda,
I had the body lift, I think I was actually one of the first ones Dr. D. did back in 2009, (Stephanie and me) and he did a medical paper on us, and 23 others, but our pictures are in there. I was told by a microsurgeon at Duke that my tummy could not get even two A cups. With both DIEP and GAP I got two C cups. I am a 38 C, before and after, same exact bra size.
Anyway. I echo what Betsy said. I had chemo before surgery and I worked through it, I took off the day of chemo. I had my stage 1 surgery in September (I took off 8 weeks from work, but was much better at about 5 weeks post) and my stage 2 in December of 2009 (they gave me 4 weeks off work, and I needed that time, I had a lot done in stage 2, more than most - plication, which I would not do again if I knew about the recovery of it for me personally).
I can hardly see the scars now. Almost invisible. Though to start out the scars are very red and angry looking. After stage 1 I felt like my body was totally brutilized. Don't get discouraged, they fix you up in stage 2 and then it seems that as time goes on, certain places fill out more, etc. For the scars, it's amazing how they lighten and whiten and thin out.
Hope this helps.
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Spring, Thanks for being a trail blazer! I have looked at the photos and you look amazing.
Esmerelda, Maybe we can try e-mail. I am at tdonovans at gmail dot com.
Eva, Wishing you bonnes santés.
Karen, How are you? YES, coffee on me when you return!
Peace, Tamara
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Hi all,
I met Karen (need2new) today and she was doing and looking great! She's checked out now and back at her hotel.
I met with Dr. D after a very long wait. He was putting in extra care in a surgery so I COMPLETELY forgive him. I'm covered in blue pen marks and have had a lovely evening out with friends. In the morning the magic happens!
I told Dr. D not to make my tummy too tight, but I guess we'll see. When I told him my breasts were a little too big he scoffed and said "too big? Impossible!"
I THINK he was joking.0 -
I will be having a 2B revision on May 18th at SCSH. For anyone considering switching to or using CIGNA for revision surgery be careful. Know that they consider lipo and fat transfer for revisions to be experimental. Policies for CIGNA can be seen at www.carealllies.com then look at "CareAllies Medical Necessity Guidelines."0
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Good luck on your surgery tomorrow, Eva!
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Denoument! I wish I could change the date! But we have a ton of family stuff followed by friends visiting the west right up until I head for Nola. And even then it is cutting it close! Maybe we should just fly Marcia there for 2 weeks. You get her the first week and I get her the second! But I can't make any definite plans yet- it all hinges on my SIL and what her schedule is, because you know hubby will want to come with me if he is able. Darn!
Esmerelda. I traveled to Nola when my girls were 1 and 4. If you have any questions or want ideas of things to do for your little one, I would love to help! It is hard, but so do-able!0 -
Eva - sweet dreams and good luck tomorrow!
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Happpy Nolaversary to me and the others that were in Nola this time last year. It was a flurry of activity that week. What a difference a year has made. I have my restored by Sullivan T-shirt I need to find and wear. Denouement - I met you first in Nola and seeing that you survived the surgery made me realize I could do it also. To all the ones I met shuffling around the homewood suites Happy Nolaversary! I had great time when I had to go down the two times for surgery and it was the most positive hospital experience ever. I thought i would never walk straight again......but I have.
I still remember everything like it was yesterday!I remember after stage two being free from compression and never looking back. I never got a Marena. lol I just couldn't do it.
Sending my love to all of you!
Theresa
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I totally forgot to post about my NOLAversary - it was a year (plus one week ago) today - so today is the one year anniversary of my post op and when I came to see Theresa after her surgery. Wow time flies...
Well I'm positively confused - had my first new PT session Wed and was at pilates yesterday and my abs were...a tiny bit better...maybe I should stick it out with new PT for a while longer before heading back to surgery - I do have 2 months to figure it out but need to make work/travel plans very soon...what to do, what to do...maybe give it another week or two...
Nordy - totally understood - I'm amazed at you and Betsy offering to come - so fantastic...hey, Marcia, now that's not a bad idea...I'll send her an email and keep me posted on what your plans are...do you have a tentative date set yet or is it all still up in the air?
Eva should be done by now - or finishing up - hope it went well!
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Oww
It was fun to meet Eva and put a face to the name. I imagine she is out of surgery by now. We are hanging out in the hotel as it is raining and I am sore. All in all things are going good. Have two drains coming out in my groin. Jenlee - I had multiplan too, no insurance issues at all.
Congrats to all the one year and more ladies - must be a good feeling. Time for a nappy.
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Denoument - you fly her in, I will fly her home...
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I like NOLAversary better than cancerversary. A year! There sure were a bunch of us there a year ago. I'm still a little sad I didn't meet anyone at that time. But I just wasn't up to it. Theresa, i know my mom met you when you were walking the halls. I'm so glad I was able to meet Amy in Dec.
Dana, I'm thrilled you are finding a bit of relief already. I believe the hands of the right PT can be key. You and Nordy keep us updated. Theoretically my kiddos would love a week at grandma's...0 -
Besa, I added your 2B date.
I also had CIGNA, but it was a couple years back now. Because I had reached my out of pocket max each time I went (cancer treatments, blech), I had no co-pay whatsoever, and I had a ton of fat grafting and lipo (ouchie!). Just my story. Always good to check. I think the CRBS is great. Although we have Anthem BC/BS now, my husband just told me this morning that CIGNA continues to send us questions asking how much we paid the hospital and the NOLA docs for the surgery. Maybe they have sticker shock? He throws them out. They are all paid up so I have no idea what CIGNA is doing, and I don't intend to get involved in whatever they are doing. The docs have been paid!
Today Jeanine, Dr. D and Dr. S's surgical assistant called. They wanted my permission to use my pre and post photos in a talk or presentation he's giving, I assume on the "body lift". I said yes. I guess I must look pretty good if my pics are shown as an example. ha. I have to sign a form and email or fax it back. I think it is nice they ask permission. Top Knotch place!
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Hi Jane and everyone else- Does Dr. D ever work alone? I haven't heard who his assistant will be for my bilateral SGAP on July 25. I did have a consult with him and assumed it would be Dr. Sullivan, but never confirmed this with him at the time. His nurse the day of my consultation mentioned he often likes to do all his own work, so I now feel confused as I am thinking longer OR time.I should have asked her more questions.
I already had the mastectomies and have had my expanders in for almost a year (because I had to fight with Insurance Co. to get approved), so I am wondering if having the expanders in already will make the surgery quicker?
Anyone go in with expanders or implants already in? Does Dr. Sullivan still work with Dr. D as I see he is working a lot with Dr. Massey in other facilities? Thanks
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I had Dr D and Sullivan for my bilateral hip flaps and Dr D and Dr Trahan for my stacked DIEP.
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Hi. Sorry for the basic questions, but what is Stage 2 B?
Does insurance cover all of this?
Do most people have more than a Stage 2 after the Stage 1?
Thnx
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Thanks-Happy Anniversary to you and all the others. I find your stories inspiring, and your information so helpful.
Happy Mother's Day to all!
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Ch968 - i would call the Center and ask them directly whether Dr. D will be having an assisting for your surgery. That would be your best resource. If you specifically want Dr. Sullivan to assist, let them know because they have to schedule them both together. I cannot say for Dr. D, but I know when I had my stage one, I was told that Dr. S likes to take up his own flaps, but that there would be an assisting in for the rest of it. Dr. T assisted for my stage one and all is well! You will be great. Really. Dr. D is not going to do something that would make you have excessive OR times. If you read his posts on the Ask the Doctor website, he has said that a bilateral diep can take them about 4 hours. I would bet that they are not working alone to get that short of a surgery. I will see if I can find you a link.
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Continuing to be hopeful but feeling a bit worn...
HMO said they are sticking with denial after speaking with my local PS. Felt I had to give it a try before the next step- now I know I guess. KatieJane- thank you for talking with me. I am going to go through the Independent/National Review.
We found out we might be able to get onto my husband's insurance at his new job. He has a PPO plan w/ out of network benefits (I checked) but am nervous b/c of everything that happened with my insurance. We decided to go through with Independent Review first before trying to get onto his plan. I just know I would be kicking myself if I didn't do this if we were to find out his insurance didn't work and I missed out on the Independent Review option with my plan. I feel that this is the right answer but it delays things another 30 days. I called the Center and it sounds like they are booking out into July. My mom is getting remarried in August so I wanted to have this all behind me and did not want to go through another round of survelliance tests. I hope the Independent Review comes through before the 30 day window they gave me and that I'm taking the right route by going through the Review.
Dana- Glad to hear you may have gotten some relief. I still talk about our chat together with my husband. You are awesome!
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