Surgery on Tuesday?!? Help!

June 18, 2006

Hi

I am scheduled to have surgery in 2 days. On Friday the people in the

doctor's office still didn't have a time for my surgery and wouldn't

bother to call in my prescriptions so I could fill them over the

weekend instead of at the last minute on monday.

I'm supposed to go pay for my surgery at 9:15 Monday morning. I'm

stressed out pre surgery and they raised just enough doubt on Friday

sbout the level of care I'll have that I'm wondering if I should find

another doctor.

The doctor seems competent enough but so did the one who put these

things in me. How do I know? He hasn't mentioned 'en bloc' but I

will ask on Monday. I haven't asked, the past few weeks have been a

rush to the end of this stressful process, I've been focused on

getting this approved through insurance and had little time with this

doctor. I fear that if I have that en bloc procedure I will have a

concave shape.

I have bi-lumen implants, done in 1996. Now I have Baker level IV

contracture. About a week after mamogram a significant lump appeared

on my left breast. I've had 4 months of tests, doctor appointments,

doctors on vacation, doctors out sick, doctors leaving the practice.

I've had 2 mammograms, an MRI, a sonogram, a needle biopsy, and shown

my breasts to over 25 health care 'professionals'.

Believe me when I say that I want to get this done ASAP!

My insurance has agreed to cover the removal. Because of the

condition of my breasts I need a 'lift',. Once the scar tissue is

removed I won't have any tissue left. I expect to go from a swollen

and stretched E or EE to an A. They are refusing to cover the lift

but I haven't starting fighting with them yet. I have been told that

the state insurance board can help.

Here in Manhattan where everything is ridiculously expensive the lift

will cost me $6500 done at the time of explant.

I've looked at Dr Kolb's website and found a few references to

insurance paying for the surgery and evidence that her office has had

success in getting these approved.

I'm wondering now if I should try to see her. Would I get better care?

Would they help me deal with the insurance? If insurance ultimately

does not pay, what would her fee be?

Help!

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