Plastic Surgeons in Jacksonville

cam38
cam38 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
My sister was diagnosed in december and has just had a bilateral mastectomy. The plastic surgeon we want to send her to is not on her insurance and I would like some help and reccomendations on plastic surgeons. I am a medical professional of 22 years but do not live in this area. I feel that people who have experienced it are the best source of information. I would appreciate any help. Thanks, RJKay

Comments

  • iris48
    iris48 Member Posts: 92
    #2
    Hello,
    My reconstruction was just done this 10/17/02, and I am a bilateral also. After much research and deliberation, I wanted the surgeon to treat me as a person not a case load number. That eliminated the plastic surgeons at Moffitt in Tampa, FL, and the provider surgeon's on my insurance plan had their agenda not mine as their first interest. I also asked around town to see how the women who accepted reconstruction felt about the success of their surgery and the recovery process as well and who their surgeon's were. I had expanders in me for 14 months that were only suppose to be there up-to-one -year and they encapsulated to level 4 with 5 being the most extreme hardening. It was effecting my vital signs, blood pressure, breathing, sleeping. I wanted the reconstruction done but wasn't sure which method. The surgeon I almost went with got into a silicone study and was pushing that, plus he would not let me see or speak with patients of his that went through the "Flap" surgeries. That put me on alert.
    I finally went outside of my insurance plan, and selected an incredible plastic surgeon, Dr. Marguerite P. Barnett. She is at 530 Nokomis Ave. S. Suite 6, Venice, FL 34285, Phone (941) 484-0717.
    Dr. Barnett explained each of the types of reconstruction surgeries thoroughly and said that even with "Flap" surgeries, you sometimes still require a small saline implant to achieve the desired look. Understanding that the saline implant after 7 maybe 10 yrs down the road be replaced, she said maybe simplier would be better. I had skin saving mastectomies and the expander placed in immediately (but it can be down after as well). That meant I was 85% reconstructed. Dr. Barnett wanted both me and my husband to know the saline implants are durable and resilent, and she proceeded to throw one on the floor and stamped on it twice. It held up. We were amazed. The provider surgeon originally said he would take 2.5 to 3 hrs to remove the encapsulation, remove the expanders and place the saline implants. Dr. Barnett did this procedure in 1 hr and 25 minutes and I woke up from the anesthesia very comfortably because she added anti-nausea medication to insure that. I was able to be driven home 1 hr. away and returned next morning for the Dr. to check on me. Recovery was very friendly and I have full use of both my arms and range of motion. The "Girls" as I now refer to them are getting more naturally soft and I wear a regular Bali wire bra. Nipples will be done with the procedure known as a fat flap and then tattooed with proper color to complete the reconstruction.
    I am so happy I choose this method for me. I required abdominal incision surgery to correct a bowel prolapse and that is an uncomfortable ouchey recovery. The Tram Flap for me I discounted because I require my abdominal muscles when I work and need the support for my back when I lift my equipment as a massage therapist. I can now vividly imagine how painful the Latisimus Dorsi (Back Flap) surgery would be and the lengthy healing time. At least, the "Girls" are very happy and I am starting out 2003 with a smile.
    Dr. Barnett has a wonderful reputation and has repaired many a reconstruction gone wrong. I am so happy to be going forward with my life with a clean bill of health so far from my Onoc. Just knowing I could do a reconstruction gave me the strength to get thru the bilateral mastectomy surgeries, chemo, tamoxifen and move on. My prayers are with you and hope I had given you some help.
    Sending light, laughter, love and hugs, i
  • banker
    banker Member Posts: 317 Member
    #3
    iris48 said:

    Hello,
    My reconstruction was just done this 10/17/02, and I am a bilateral also. After much research and deliberation, I wanted the surgeon to treat me as a person not a case load number. That eliminated the plastic surgeons at Moffitt in Tampa, FL, and the provider surgeon's on my insurance plan had their agenda not mine as their first interest. I also asked around town to see how the women who accepted reconstruction felt about the success of their surgery and the recovery process as well and who their surgeon's were. I had expanders in me for 14 months that were only suppose to be there up-to-one -year and they encapsulated to level 4 with 5 being the most extreme hardening. It was effecting my vital signs, blood pressure, breathing, sleeping. I wanted the reconstruction done but wasn't sure which method. The surgeon I almost went with got into a silicone study and was pushing that, plus he would not let me see or speak with patients of his that went through the "Flap" surgeries. That put me on alert.
    I finally went outside of my insurance plan, and selected an incredible plastic surgeon, Dr. Marguerite P. Barnett. She is at 530 Nokomis Ave. S. Suite 6, Venice, FL 34285, Phone (941) 484-0717.
    Dr. Barnett explained each of the types of reconstruction surgeries thoroughly and said that even with "Flap" surgeries, you sometimes still require a small saline implant to achieve the desired look. Understanding that the saline implant after 7 maybe 10 yrs down the road be replaced, she said maybe simplier would be better. I had skin saving mastectomies and the expander placed in immediately (but it can be down after as well). That meant I was 85% reconstructed. Dr. Barnett wanted both me and my husband to know the saline implants are durable and resilent, and she proceeded to throw one on the floor and stamped on it twice. It held up. We were amazed. The provider surgeon originally said he would take 2.5 to 3 hrs to remove the encapsulation, remove the expanders and place the saline implants. Dr. Barnett did this procedure in 1 hr and 25 minutes and I woke up from the anesthesia very comfortably because she added anti-nausea medication to insure that. I was able to be driven home 1 hr. away and returned next morning for the Dr. to check on me. Recovery was very friendly and I have full use of both my arms and range of motion. The "Girls" as I now refer to them are getting more naturally soft and I wear a regular Bali wire bra. Nipples will be done with the procedure known as a fat flap and then tattooed with proper color to complete the reconstruction.
    I am so happy I choose this method for me. I required abdominal incision surgery to correct a bowel prolapse and that is an uncomfortable ouchey recovery. The Tram Flap for me I discounted because I require my abdominal muscles when I work and need the support for my back when I lift my equipment as a massage therapist. I can now vividly imagine how painful the Latisimus Dorsi (Back Flap) surgery would be and the lengthy healing time. At least, the "Girls" are very happy and I am starting out 2003 with a smile.
    Dr. Barnett has a wonderful reputation and has repaired many a reconstruction gone wrong. I am so happy to be going forward with my life with a clean bill of health so far from my Onoc. Just knowing I could do a reconstruction gave me the strength to get thru the bilateral mastectomy surgeries, chemo, tamoxifen and move on. My prayers are with you and hope I had given you some help.
    Sending light, laughter, love and hugs, i

    Hi Iris48, have a question now, don't mean to be nosey, who paid for the whole recunstruction, since the Doctor you chose was not a provider within your insurance plan. Thanks Emmi
  • iris48
    iris48 Member Posts: 92
    #4
    banker said:

    Hi Iris48, have a question now, don't mean to be nosey, who paid for the whole recunstruction, since the Doctor you chose was not a provider within your insurance plan. Thanks Emmi

    Hi,
    I paid out-of-my-pocket the fee for the reconstruction. I also put in an appeal to my insurance company for them to reconsider them paying and got turned down twice. That was not the end.... I appealed to the Fl State Insurance Commissioner in Tallahassee this week and am waiting a reply. My contention was I was not receiving from their provider list of physicians quality care, nor timely care, and there was a medically necessity to have the reconstructive completed. Soon I will find out what their decision is and whether I will be reimbursed. I've learned to play their game.
    Hugs.
  • banker
    banker Member Posts: 317 Member
    #5
    iris48 said:

    Hi,
    I paid out-of-my-pocket the fee for the reconstruction. I also put in an appeal to my insurance company for them to reconsider them paying and got turned down twice. That was not the end.... I appealed to the Fl State Insurance Commissioner in Tallahassee this week and am waiting a reply. My contention was I was not receiving from their provider list of physicians quality care, nor timely care, and there was a medically necessity to have the reconstructive completed. Soon I will find out what their decision is and whether I will be reimbursed. I've learned to play their game.
    Hugs.

    Thanks Iris48, you are better then I am, that takes some doing. I hope you win, you deserve it. Insurance companies are running the healthcare, it should not have to be that way. Take care and Thanks again....hugs Emmi

Discussion Boards