Trip to see Vinnie

Judy,

Do you mind sharing what insurance you have?

Thanks ... and lucky you is right. 

Can I ask all of you how and why you chose tats vs nipples?



I'm at the beginning of trying to decide which would be better for me. My husband says whatever I want but need to gather information. Thanks much!

I am doing both also... I had spoken with Vinnie a LONG time ago when he charged $350 for bilateral... so ouch on the $600...

The insurance side of things is so individual... I am out of network, sort of... I have Three Rivers which is a third party and in-network with the Center... and they process my Aetna claims. So it is a contracted rate and works off my out of network benefits. Very confusing.

Catie - Vinnie now charges $600 cash.  I am not sure what the woman who is now working with your docs charges, but you might ask.  She has studied with Vinnie.  Her name is Renee and she is from Florida, but travels to Charleston once a month.  It is a chunk of change, but . . .

good luck and have a safe trip

The scheduling lady in NOLA said it needed to be 12 weeks since your last procedure. So hoping I get to keep my December appointment. Waiting for things to settle and I think I'm going for headlights since I need one more procedure to tweak things anyway. Time will tell.

I just have to decide what is right for me!!!! Lol



So far happy with trusting my instincts - and so leaning on no need for headlights but wanting to know why people choose to or not to to hear all the arguments for or against before I actually get there!



I so appreciate each persons input!

I had my appointment last December with Vinnie in NOLA. Am 1000% satisfied 😀

I have Cigna insurance as well and the clinic called the insurance and called me back 4 weeks before the tatts to let me know that it would be covered with a copay. I was surprised when I got the bill afterwards that all was 100% covered except my $20 copay! I would have paid more now that I see what a difference Vinnie made in my life. I still tear up when I look in the mirror. The tatts are beautiful!

Carrol... Just so you know, the Center where Vinnie works can give you discounted rates at local hotels... It makes a HUGE difference. And try flying Southwest Airlines if you can. Their rates are pretty low.

I'm scheduled to see Vinnie week after next at NOLA, and second-guessing whether I need a little surgical "lift" first. Stage 2 DIEP with Dr. S was in Dec, and I have asymmetry: the prophylactic side has some sag to it and lacks projection. I'm sure Vinnie is creative enough to make the tats look level even if the breasts aren't quite level, thus minimizing the unevenness. But if he makes them look level, then I decide to get a lift later, it will make the tats look uneven. I sent pictures to to the PA and called the Center and talked it through. Dr. S suggested I could get a minimal lift surgery (incision in inframmary fold to define the crease better plus take a dart to help projection, as an outpatient surgery) followed by tats the same or next day. I just found out that Dr. S is not available near the day of my appointment, so I'd have to reschedule to when he and Vinnie are both available -- perhaps a few months later when DH might not be available to accompany me.

To complicate this decision, my insurance changed this month to omit out-of-network coverage, so I will have to pay for everything out-of-pocket. The Center will get me a price by the end of this week. Also, Vinnie's fee is due by the end of this week if I continue with tats only, as scheduled.

I guess I should add it's not just "looks" that concern me. The lower band of bras cross over the sloping edge of the sagging breast, becoming uncomfortable. Soft bras won't work because they reveal the asymmetry through clothing. I supposed I could live with the asymmetry, but I don't prefer it after all this surgery!

I have really looked forward to getting these tats by Vinnie and being all done with recon, but now I have this mini-dilemma. Dare I go ahead with tats as scheduled and not think about a lift at all? Should I postpone everything and have the 2-part surgery/tats later assuming I could afford the out-of-pocket charge? There is a PS in-network locally who could do this lift and she does her own tattooing, but will it be as good as Vinnie's? I've had her in mind as "plan B" if I couldn't go to NOLA for whatever reason. But I'd rather have Dr. S do any touch-up to his own recon, and Vinnie has such a stellar reputation.

Making myself a little crazy over this. Ideas?

Ann... I want my tats too... But I am having one more surgery with Dr D in November, and will then have tats (probably another trip down in 2014.)... But I know I don't want tats and then any more surgery. I want the tats to be the LAST thing I do, like icing on the cupcake and then the cherry. If I put the cherry and then more icing, I will mess it up. Sorry... couldn't help myself... So I say if you aren't 100% happy, cancel Vinnie, and schedule Dr S ASAP (hopefully before insurance changes - or has that already taken effect?) Then do Vinnie later. Or if insurance has already changed, then book the two part tweak when they are both available.... Can't imagine its too expensive as out-patient.

Ann, You should check and see if your insurance will cover you, under the Continuity of Care.  Look at your Evidence of Coverage and see what it says. Maybe you can appeal it and have them pay.

Made my appointment to see Vinnie in NOLA September 10th. Now I have to save up.

Baltimore for Vinnie.....add me to the September girls ...have a September 18 appointment in MD. Yippeeee!