Charleston Bound, part 2

AnneW

I don't even know what time the Denver symposium starts! Don't know why they don't have that on the website. Time to send Ashley an email, I suppose!

I haven't completely ruled out Chicago yet, ladies...

Adey

Thanks Liz.  I guess an appeal is in order!  I'm going to get with Ashley today.

I AM SO ANNOYED I WON'T BE HOME WHEN YOU ALL COME HERE FOR THE CONFERENCE!

bennetts1

Linda e-mailed Ashley and found out it begins at 10 am  I guess I better start looking for flights on the 18th!  Anne...you need to rule this one IN!!!!  We have all been through so much together, so I think you need to give this weekend up to the Marga Mermaids!  It will be fun!  Come on...just do it!  Adey, I hate that we will not get to meet you, but maybe someday!  Brenda...I sure hope you will be feeling like joining in.  What day is your surgery?  I know Laura is planning on being there too. 

In regards to my October Charleston trip, Dr. M is just going to do a tattoo touch up. She also will probably take some after photos from my complete transformation.  She said she would do any extra surgery, lipo, if I wanted,...but after my friend passed away this summer, I do not want anymore surgery.  I did tell my husband last night, though, do you think Dr. M could cut away this extra skin on my legs, and do a little more lipo?  He quickly said NO!  He told me I was beautiful as I am and he did not want me to lose anymore weight...the same words that came out of Dr. M. mouth!  I think it is because if I do lose weight, my natural breast will droop and need another lift...LOL!!!   

AnneW

Sandy, your hubby's a gem!!!

Adey

Hi gals, 

I was approved for out of network by insurance, so yay.  May still work on getting an in network exception.  Has anyone went through that with getting letters from local surgeon saying not done here or whatever?  If so please share.  Can't wait to get these TEs out!

jacee

Yes, Adey I did get one letter from a local surgeon stating they didn't do the flap surgeries. The other Dr's wouldn't send me a letter. My insurance said it wasn't mandatory to have a letter, but anything to help my case. I filled out an In Network Exception Form and a Courtesy Review provided to me by my insurance. Then I sent them to Dr. Massey's office, she (or her staff) filled out the codes and stuff, then they sent it to my insurance with all my medical records. It was a hassle getting it all together, but so worth it. I had to get surgical records, oncology records, radiation, etc. Mine was approved within 2 weeks of submitting the packet of info. The Network Exception was good till Dec 31st of 2010. I did have Stage 1 and Stage 2 before then, but I'm just getting ready for Stage 3, so had to request another Exception that is good for this year till Dec 31st. I didn't have to resubmit all my records though.

Please PM me if I can help with anything specific.

Joni

LizR

Adey:  A local PS provided his office notes to my insurance company - which included our discussion of microsurgical flap procedures, my lack of tummy fat and that I should research GAP options (he was pretty much just an in network implant guy).   I also wrote a letter that summarized my discussion with him and why I needed to travel to have the surgery.  If you PM me your email address, I can probably find and send you a copy of my letter.   For me, there was a huge financial advantage to get the in network exception approved (my out of network deductible was HUGE).  Good luck!  Liz

bennetts1

Change in plans...will not be going to Charleston to have tattoos touched up next month, but will have them done in Chicago when I go to Dr. Massey's symposium in November! 

AnneW

That's perfect, Sandie!

Del11

I'm not sure when my surgery is scheduled that week. I think it's Wednesday or Thursday before the symposium. It still remains to be seen what needs to be done, I think it'll be pretty minor, so if the anesthesia doesn't get the best of me I'll probably be able to go on Saturday.

LindaG47

I hope so Brenda. Why don't you RSVP anyway and just let Ashley know it all depends on how you will be feeling!



Anne, What about you?

LindaG47

Anne I just saw your earlier post.  They Symposium in Chicago starts at 10 am, so I am assuming it would be the same in Denver.  I had to email Ashley to find out.  I do hope you are still considering Chicago, but I know that Denver would would be so much more convenient and so much less expensive than coming to Chicago.......but not as fun!!!!!

bennetts1

Flight has offically been booked!  I will arrive in Chicago at 9:45am on Friday, Nov. 18.  My dear friend, Linda, will be at the airport to pick me up!  We are planning to meet up with Laura (lilmismuffet) after she gets off work or on Saturday for the symposium and then dinner on Saturday night.  Laura did tell me there would be plenty of excitement downtown Saturday night...the light parade down Michigan Avenue...the turning on of all the Christmas lights!  Brenda...I hope you are feeling well enough to come to the symposium, or maybe just going out for dinner.  OK Anne...we need you to join in too!!!  Anyone else????  Linda booked an extra room just in case.  Liz, have you thought anymore about coming???  We are going to have a great weekend!  I will be celebrating the END of my journey!  Brenda, go ahead and put FINAL tattoo touch ups November 20 in Chicago for me. 

Sandy

AnneW

I won't be able to make it to Chicago! Sorry to miss out on what I'm sure will be a good time! My plate is beyond full right now! I'll be seeing Marga this Saturday, though, for her Denver symposium. I'll report back!

LindaG47

Well, Darn! Understandable. We will miss having you with us. Maybe another time. Please give us a full report on the Denver Symposium. Gosh Anne, I was going to have you autograph my calendar

AnneW

You gals will love Marga's presentation. The first part, on recon, is geared toward women who are considering the surgery, as well as teaching any PTs in the group about the surgery in general. The second half is about LE, and her works going forward with VLNT and her passion to care for women with LE. Very informative!

I learned a lot, and so enjoyed seeing her again. She's looking forward to seeing you all in Chicago!! (Brenda, she thinks you'll be up for it!!)

Oh, I gave her one of my calendars, and she was tickled to death.

LindaG47

Anne, thanks so much for the presentation review.  I am so excited to see and hear Dr. M in Chicago.  For sure there will be 3, maybe 4 of us attending.  Any other takers?  Liz, what about you.  Would love for you to join us too.  

Anne, did I tell you I received my calendar?  I love the cover, but I really love the one of you inside.   

Hope you all had a great weekend.   Linda

AnneW

Thanks, Linda! That's sweet!

nowords

Anne...Can you post the link to the Calendars again?

AnneW

Here's the calendar link, nowords:

http://www.healthlinksfund.org/index.php?page=buy_calendar

I tried to get a last minute appt for nips and a little fat grafting in Nov when you all are there, but Marga's booked. So, I'll probably go after Christmas while she's there...damn. My wishy-washy-ness about nips cost me a chance to see you guys!

Adey

Anne-  If you come in December I'd love to get together.  Even though I'll probably have drains from stage 1.  (c:

Del11

Apparently my stage 2 is scheduled for the Monday after Marga's talk, so there won't be any conflict.  That's not the date I remember talking about with Ashley, but it wouldn't be the first time she and I have had different recollections of surgery dates.  Like a moving target, it is

LindaG47

Brenda, that is great that you can join us; you will won't you? Sorry about the mixup though!



Anne, Are you talking about Chicago for your nips? If so, maybe some of us local gals can meet up with you, so don't fret. Yeah, another party!

bennetts1

Oh Brenda...does that mean you are going to be able to join in on the fun?  I sure hope so!!!  How are you healing? 

 Ashely had told me Dr. M. is not flying in to Chicago until late Friday night, so I guess she will not be able to join us for dinner. 

Del11

Yep, I'll be there. Surgery's not until Monday.

I'm doing good with healing, going back to work on Monday. I still have one drain, can you believe it??? It's been putting out 31-37 for two weeks now.  Tomorrow will be 6 weeks post-surgery. I'm hoping they'll let me pull it this weekend. I really don't think it's going down any further, and going back to work is just going to make it go higher. I don't mind the drain as much as the antibiotics, I haven't been able to eat normally this whole time (I've lost 12 pounds).  Can't imagine feeling this sick at work all day.

Other than that, my incision looks great, one little open spot that's almost healed.  Firm part of my flap is softening.  And my belly button looks good, sort of cute even. Got lucky on that one, I know that area can be hard to heal.

Looking forward to seeing all of you.  Let me know where you're staying and I'll pick a couple of restaurants for us.

jacee

I am so jealous of you all going to Chicago

Hope it's a wonderful time. Can't wait to hear about it.

Joni

bennetts1

I am so excited you are going to get to join us Brenda!!!!!  You sound really juicy...that is a long time with a drain...and an antibiotic!  Are you ready to go back to work? 

Joni...we will miss you!!!!  Will post pics on FB! 

Del11

I've been sick to my stomach for 6 weeks straight, so no, not really ready to go back.  Especially with a drain.  But I don't really have a choice.

LindaG47

Gee Brenda, can they change your antibiotic?  I know what you mean though.  I had a rough time with the antibiotics and pain meds.  What does Dr. M say? My helper doc said I'd be a terrible drug addict.  LOL!

Joni, I too want to chime in that we will miss having you join us.  Understand though.   

Anne, where are you planning the fat grafting and nips?  NOLA or Chicago? 

LindaG47

Brenda, I hope you are feeling better?  Thanks for offering to suggest some restaurants when we get together for the Symposium.  Laura is also going to gather some information. Did you know the parade and tree lighting are on the 19th also.  I know there will be 4 of us mermaids and maybe two others.  Let me (us) know what you might be thinking about.