08.12.09

You Get What You Pay For

Posted in Anxiety, Cash fees, Scars, Surgery, Surgical Fees, anchor breast lift, boob job, breast implants, breast lift, breast size, breast volume, cosmetic surgery, implants, mastopexy, plastic surgeon, plastic surgery at 2:41 pm by Herbwoman

As I said yesterday, I found a plastic surgeon on barter. So I called to make an appointment for a consultation. Before long both hubby an I were headed for the office on Dr. Phillips Drive.

I mentioned on Twitter yesterday that I still blame myself for this. BUT, part of being a literal cautionary tale is that you fess up. This is my confession. You would think the fact that the office is in a strip mall, called The Market Place, might have been some kind of indication. Here in Florida you’ll find some really nice restaurants in strip malls though. So I shrugged it off. I did more than shrug it off, I stomped flat that obnoxious little voice in the back of my mind.

Legally, because of the settlement that came later, I cannot reveal the name of the surgeon. Nor can any of my relatives, friends or even people I am acquainted with. Maybe one day I’ll auction off the name the way Carly Simon auctioned off revealing who “You’re So Vain” was about.

We arrived a little late to a well appointed office. There were cosmetic products in a glass case and up to date fashion magazines in the waiting room. I was nervous but excited. We were called back to a comfortable examination room and I was asked to strip from the waist up so that the doc could see what we were dealing with and I was given a thick comfy robe to cover up with.

The doctor came in and took a look. During the exam he actually pinched, hefted and squeezed (albeit briefly) my breasts to get an idea of volume and elasticity. He explained the anchor procedure to me and asked if I had any questions. I told him that I wanted my boobs put back where they were when I was 17. He told me it was not possible and that was an unrealistic expectation. He said that he could make them look perkier and fuller but they would never be like that again.

He also explained that I had wide-set breasts so it was not possible for me to have the kind of breasts that I brought in photos of. Yes, some plastic surgeons ask you to bring photos of breasts you like so that they have a visual reference of what you want.

He also asked me if I understood that I would have scaring. These people want to make good and certain that you understand that with the anchor lift, it’s not all sunshine and roses right out of the box.

Once all my questions were answered that’s when I dressed and we went into the business office to discuss the financial aspect. The surgeon’s fees were on barter but the anesthesiologist, the implants themselves and the facility fees were cash. I was given a brochure for a company called Care Credit that finances cosmetic procedures and the breakdown of costs and we went on our merry way.

Tomorrow I’ll talk about financing and the build up to my first surgery.

08.11.09

Complexus Inferioritus 2

Posted in Cash fees, Surgery, anchor breast lift, barter, boob job, breast, breast implants, cosmetic surgery, mastopexy, plastic surgeon, plastic surgery at 6:26 pm by Herbwoman

I admit that I was intimidated by what appeared to me to be massive amounts of cutting on my breasts. On the other hand, I hated what I had SO much that, while it was pretty scary, it was something that I could definitely see myself doing.

After the video was over, the PA came in and she explained what the video had just shown and then she asked if I would like to see what I would look like after the surgery.  I think this is where they REALLY sell women on the idea of plastic surgery. It was where they really sold me on it.

The PS brought out a couple of implants and hat me put them in my bra. She showed me a mirror and it was love at first sight. I felt beautiful for the first time in a quite a while. As I said, I was sold.

I was given an estimate for the two procedures.  And augmentation is still considered a separate procedure from  the lift even though they’re usually done in unison. At least they were a few years ago.

I was given an estimate for the two procedures.  A total of around $10,000 if I’m remembering correctly. So I brought it home and showed the estimate to my husband.  And that’s where the heartbreak of this story truly begins.

He said we couldn’t afford it and maybe in a couple years we’d be able to do it. I cried as though my heart were broken but by the end of the day I had calmed down. I hadn’t accepted that it was over though. I was bound and determined that I was going to make this happen. I just had to find a way to make my husband understand how desperate I was to be beautiful. So, in my emotional state, I reverted to high school. I wrote him a letter. I felt that was really the only way to articulate what I felt that I needed.

After reading it later that night, he told me that if I could find a way to make it happen cheaply, then I could get it done. This is where I admit to having more than a bit of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). This wasn’t a compulsion but it was most assuredly an obsession.

So I was off. I had another consultation about a month later with another local PS. Again, I was quoted about the same price. At this point I was feeling pretty desperate. So I looked on our barter network website for plastic surgeons in Orlando.

Barter networks are different than how many people perceive them. As an example say I have a product or service that I sell within the network for $10. Someone within the network buys that product or service giving me $10 barter dollars in my account. I can then take that barter cash and use it for ANYTHING in the barter network that someone else supplies.

I have gotten handyman work, housekeeping, contact lenses, pre-purchase home inspection and the surgical fees for my initial surgery on barter. There are SO many things you have access to and if your barter club is part of a network with reciprocal agreements, you have access to an even wider range of products and services. Just a couple days ago we bought fudge, jam, wine and dinner on barter.

Yes, I found a plastic surgeon on barter.

Tune in tomorrow when I continue with my story.

06.24.09

The Next Great Saga

Posted in Cash fees, Hospital, Hospital fees, Hosptial Costs, Insurance, Latissimus flap, Medical, Medical Insurance, Plastic Surgery Disaster, Surgery, Surgical complications, boob job, breast reconstruction, cosmetic surgery, latissimus flap reconstruction, plastic surgery at 4:28 pm by Herbwoman

Now the fun truly begins. Ken has started his negotiations with the hospital. Since my reconstruction had to be paid for out of pocket, he has made it his mission to make sure we don’t pay any more than we absolutely have to. At his request we have already gotten an itemized copy of the bill.

In the realm of ridiculous pricing, the hospital charged $10 for a multi-vitamin and $12 for a calcium pill. That’s right. ONE PILL! They also charged us $32 for an Oxycodone. Ken paid $20 for a 30 day supply of that AND a prescription muscle relaxer FROM THE HOSPITAL PHARMACY!! These are just a couple examples of inflated pricing from a major Atlanta hospital.

With billing and prices like this it really is no wonder that our medical system is in the shape its in. If it’s not the insurance companies looking for any reason to bilk the customer, it’s the hospitals screwing the insuance companies. Or the pharmaceutical companies screwing the inurance companies. And since shit rolls downhill, the insurance companies, in turn, screw the consumer.

Getting screwed USED to be FUN!

Originally we negotiated a cash price for the hospital stay. If we had been insured, our insurance company would have had to pay a little over $24,000. Our discounted cash price was$14,600 with an up front payment of $8,200 due 10 days before my surgical date. As far as we can see, there is PLENTY of room to negotiate.

As usual I’ll keep you all up to date as the situation develops.