Trip to see Vinnie

min937

penguin1 - I just made an appointment to see Vinnie in early May in MD!  I haven't called my insurance yet, but plan to do that to at least get a feel for whether they'll cover it.  I think some do, some don't.

Hildy910

I was supposed to go down to see Vinnie the week of Feb 16, until I realized that was school vacation. So now I've got an appointment for March 18th. Can't wait!

penguin1

Thanks, BDavis and Hildy!  I am going to MD- unfortunately... I live in NY so the NOLA office is pretty much out of the question    So exciting that you are going too, Hildy!  I am a little nervous, but what the heck?  We've been through all the hard stuff... this will be nothing!  Yeah, I'm going to call my insurance co tomorrow and see what happens.  I know that if I had it done by my ps, it would be covered- no question...  having it done in a tattoo place may not be as easy to get covered.  Keep me posted on how you make out with things.

Obxflygirl1

I went to MD last September .... I have Tri-Care . They wouldn't cover because he wasn't on their list..

cascader

Booked my flights and hotel today in MD to see Vinnie March 17. Originally was scheduled for May but he must of had a cancellation. Woohoo!

MartyJ

Obxflygirl1 - thanks for mentioning Tricare's position on this.  They probably don't even have a good tattoo artist on their list.

PinkHeart

Cascader,

Congrats on getting in earlier!  Are you going to send pics of results to Dr K?

chrissilini

I have Cigna and they wouldn't cover it because not a physician/medical facility and not on their list. I appealed but they still denied it. Doesn't matter, it was the best decision I made and worth it! 2 years out and I still love them!

cascader

glad to hear how happy you are chrisillni, I am excited for this last step. 

Pink, of course !!

susanwmcg

Can any of you MD ladies give me any advice for transportation from BMI to Vinnie? I don't know if I should rent a car, take train or take a cab. I fly in three hours before my appt., spend the night at a hotel by airport and fly home next day.

Thank you so much,

Susan

cascader

I have been checking into that also and have decided to rent a car one day only. I am staying at Inner harbor  area  for a few nights and will use a cab the rest of the time. I am hoping others who have already gone will chime in about this

susanwmcg

Thanks, Cascader! Hopefully we will hear from some others.

MartyJ

finksburg is a ways  from the airport.  Rental car is the only option.  A cab would cost more than a car rental.  No trains to Finksburg, either.  

Hildy910

Re: Insurance. I'll get the paperwork from them and submit it, but I'm not really expecting it to be covered. I decided that since I'm not reconstructing nips, it was worth it to get the best tattoos I could regardless of coverage. 

So Cascader, we will be at Vinnie's in the same timeframe! Let me know if you are still around on the 18th! 

I am planning on renting a car as well--I think I'll fly in on the 17th so I don't have to worry about flight delays on the 18th. My sister lives near Baltimore so I get to combine the visit with some family time, too.  I'll try to get back home the evening of the 18th if flights allow. Flying visit in more ways than one.

susanwmcg

MartyJ - appreciate the info! Will get that rental car. 

Susan

Not-Me

Holy moly...I am scheduled for 3-28 and scared half to death.  Not about the decision.  Richie and Vinnie have been wonderful to deal with and helped me to decide that I should not do the skin grafting.  My PS would not do the nipple recon, said he was afraid he would "F it up"...his words not mine.  He said he would do skin grafting, but instead wanted me to go for the 3Ds.  Richie talked me thru this, stating that they have seen a lot of boobs and that the skin grafting causes more scars.  My PS is the best in my state, and did a fabulous job on the recon.  I think he is excited to see end results. 

The price I was given when booking the appointment, was very very reasonable.  That is important as I too will be travleing from out of state.  It will not be an easy trip.  My appointment in is MD. 

Looking forward, but scared half to death of the pain.  I know they say we should not feel anything, but I felt every one of those fills during the TE.  So I too am excited and scared though.  I know it is the right decision, and I would not trust my Ts to anyone else.  I have done the reserach.   

Di2012

Not-Me,

My PS did  mess it up ....I do have nips now , which I love, but I hate the hi/lo "look"....will be fixed in future surgery.

Buy some Lidocaine cream and apply it before you see Vinnie.....(he may want to wash it off before he starts the tatoos)

(I used it when I had shingles in my 40's and it was the only thing that helped!)

Di

chrissilini

When I had mine done, I made it a mini vacation. I also stayed in Owens Mills, closer to Finksburg so I rented a car, did some sight seeing and had a good time.

As far as any pain, it's very individual. I had a little as my tatts are situated a little higher than my incisions and so not completely numb. Definitely doable. I found talking during it took my mind off of it and Vinnie had lots of entertaining stories to help! I've since had a tattoo that I can show people, lol. Compared to that, the nip tatts were nothing!

Not-Me

I had a personal T done about 1.5 years ago, pre C second time round.  Dedicated to my darling grandson who suffers from a slight case of CP.  The fun T, it hurt like hell and I had two glasses of wine prior.  I will plan on something before hand, scared, but know it is the right decision.  Hugs.   

penguin1

Good to read everyone's input.  Does anyone know of a close nice hotel?  Since I'm going during spring break, I'll have my kids with me and hubby.  I'm thinking I can leave my 16 and 10 year old at the hotel if it's in a safe location.  I'm not sure what I'm going to tell the 10 yr old yet!!  Did anyone take antibiotics before??  Thanks!

PeggySull

Not-me, I am lucky to live a couple of hours from Vinnie's by car.  My appointment with Vinnie is 3/31.  If you need company I would drive there to be with you if that would help.   Just keep that option in the back of your mind as you approach your appointment.  My new onc told me that several of her patients scheduled for Vinnie on same days and carpooled.  How great is that!  

I have some regrets about my results from recon, especially in the nipple area, but I'm trusting that Vinnie can do a little more to improve these issues.  My Breast surgeons PA has seen a lot of Vinnie's work and has raved about his results.

Right now I'm just so thankful to have chemo and surgery behind me!  

Hugs,

Peggy

farmerlucy

I flew into BWI the day before at noon , took the train to Inner Harbor, walked around and had lunch. Then I went back to the airport by train and picked up my car. That way I only had a one day rental and didn't have to worry with driving downtown. I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Owings Mills. It is very new and very nice and they have free breakfast. There are good restaurants nearby. The next day I went to see Vinnie and then caught an afternoon flight home.

The tattoo did sting quite a bit, but it was not unbearable. Do not put any kind of cream on beforehand. Vinnie's site says that is a no-no. Vinnie gives you topical antibiotics and gauze pads for about 4 days.

Not-Me

Peggy...what a sweetie you are.  I am really nervous about this and have found that with the more procedures I have, the less tolerant to pain I am.  I have not made the plans yet, but it will either by my sister, a friend, or I will alone it for this trip.  DH has to work that weekend.  Hugs.

cgesq

Not Me,

I am scheduled to see Vinnie this Thurs.  I had asked about putting lidocaine cream on, and was told absolutely NOT to.  Something about the skin not absorbing the dyes properly.   I plan on taking xanax, because I will probably be freaked out!!  

PS  I really hope it doesn't hurt!!!

Not-Me

Good luck on Thursday (tomorrow).  I am thinking the xanax is a good idea.  Someone else mentioned taking the vicoden left over from the other surgeries.  I don't know. 

Let us know how it goes please.  Hugs!

Di2012

cgesq....wow I did not know Vinnie does not allow lidocaine cream/gel/liquid.... I am guess I am an odd ball, because I have feeling all over my breast including my 4 week old new nips....they were really zapping me, at times, as they healed.

 I had numbing meds applied three times:

---once by a MD who did a horrible eye liner and his wife smashed into the side of my car when I was in the office

---twice (eye and lips separate days) by a permanent cosmetic tatoo artist. I had permanent makeup tattoos (eye liner and lips)....my lips (OUCH...even with lidocaine) look exactly like when I had it done minus the swelling, 15 years ago, my eye liner I also had it had done 15 years ago and it now has faded to a gray, so I need a touch up.  

I have an appointment with a NEW  permanent cosmetic tatoo artist next week, and ask her if she uses numbing medicine and she said OF COURSE. (as the other lady who did my eye liner and lips, and I loved, moved to AZ to open a school for permanent cosmetics)

Di

Russell1

I didn't take anything beforehand. I was so excited about getting them. One side didn't hurt at all, the other stung but it was quick and so worth every sting!!!! Lol

Carrol2

I have a lot of feeling and it hurt a bit but its not that bad.

lala1

Can you take anything beforehand to help lessen the pain?

Carrol2

I don't think it's that bad that you need any pain killer. But I suppose you could have a cocktail before you go if it calms your nerves.