Scheduled for surgery

[epodjn]

I am 2+ years out from translab surgery for a 3.2 tumor on my facial nerve resulting in left side paralysis. I have had a small bit of movement come back but not a lot. I have pretty good symmetry at rest but can't completely close my eye and can't breath because of nasal valve collapse. My insurance will be reducing it's benefits in Sept. so now is the time for me to get any surgery I might want. I'm scheduled for June 22 but now I'm getting a little nervous. I am having my brow lifted, gold weight put in upper lid, cartilage from my ear put in my lower eye lid to keep it from drooping, nasal valve repair, botox in my cheek and chin to calm muscle spasm, and several growths along the surgical site "sanded down" so that I can lay on that side again. Has anyone out there had that much done in one surgery? Is this common or does the doc want to do it all now because he knows of my  insurance situation? He mentioned that it might take more than one time with the eye weight to get the right size. How long is it before you know you need a different size? I only have until September to get it all done. After that a good portion of it will be out of my pocket. Does anyone have any input?

[nancyann]

hi there e:  That is alot to have done at once - I had alot of procedures done at once to help balance my face, etc.  It was rough post op but I'm glad I did it all & got it over with.  RE: the gold weight - you're going to have swelling at 1st so it will seem like it's a good fit - that happened to me & then I needed a heavier weight.  I could tell within a couple of months. 
I have the collapsed nasal valve but didn't have the surgery to correct it.  I'm curious how that works for you.
(I had the T3 done + bilateral brow lift, face lift on normal side to bring symmetry...).
All the best,  always good thoughts,  Nancy

[kim508]

I had the gold weight right after surgery and it help me a lot. I also got the 7-12 and cross facial at the same time. That was a 6houre surgery and I was back at work in 2 weeks so I think you will be okay. Your eye will be swollen for a while but later it really isnt that noticable..even though I hope one day I can get it taken out. But goood luck and just try to stay healthy for the surgery

[epodjn]

Well, it's amazing how things can change so fast. The insurance rethought their decision and will not cover the facial reconstruction specialist I wanted to go to because he is not in network. They told me the want me to go to one of the plastic surgeons that is on "the list". I took his name and started looking him up. His specialty is ****s and lip suction. YES they are serious. I called the dr. i wanted to go to and talked to him about it. He said he knows who this guy is and he's very good at what he does, but not what I need. Now what do I do???

[saralynn143]

File an appeal. See if the facial reconstruction specialist will write a letter on your behalf.

[epodjn]

I'm already on my second appeal and the doctor has written a letter and called the insurance personally. I didn't realize how excited I was to finally get an eye weight until I realize it might not happen.

[saralynn143]

So did the insurance company approve the surgery/surgeon and then revoke their approval?

[epodjn]

I didn't think they could do that but yes, they approved it and then a week later un approved it. How do they get away with things like that?

[saralynn143]

I would call your state insurance oversight agency and see if they can help you. Do you have the approval in writing? That would be the most helpful, or the name of the person who approved it and the date of your conversation.

[epodjn]

I have the name and date but nothing in writing as they were suppose to fax it to me and never did. They want me to go to a doctor that is actually a very good ent and i would be ok with him doing my nose but I doubt he has much experience with brow lifts and gold weights.

[saralynn143]

another approach would be to consult with the ENT - he has probably never done brow lifts and gold weights and may be willing to tell the insurance company that. The list of procedures in your first post is for the most part way out of the ENT realm.

[Brewers7]

My secondary carrier baulked at a brow lift, but I appealed.  My plastic surgeon took pictures and sent them in to document that the surgery is reconstructive and not purely cosmetic.  It was then approved.  I go soon.

[epodjn]

Well, to make a long story short, I am not having surgery until Sept. now. Luckily my open enrollment is next month and I will be switching my insurance to a plan that will cover the surgery without all the hassle. I have already talked to them. Since I have had continuous coverage there will not be any pre-existing condition clause problems. The doctor I want to go to is on the list and the surgery will be covered. The person who would have to approve it has already looked at my case and said there would be no problem. Now I just need to be patient until then. . . . . .Is learning patience the one thing we all have in common? Sure feels like it. 

[saralynn143]

That's good news, and the time will pass more quickly than you think. Still, you might ask that person to put it in writing considering your previous experience.

[moe]

I'm sorry you have had to go through all this muckety muck with the insurance, but glad to see that everything is coming together.
And surgery will be here- so glad that you got that worked out so you can rest easy until September.
Yes, patience is a virtue 
Maureen