Thursday, February 11, 2010

S2 7 weeks +1 day

Hello!
I bet you guys thought I fell off the planet huh? Not much had changed since my last post so I decided to wait a bit longer before updating again.
My scars are continuing to heal and the stitches under the skin are slowly disappearing. There are still some there though. When I look in the mirror, I can still see everything but other people are telling me that they aren't noticing anything. I think some of them are just trying to be nice! As noted before, the right xanthie is still pretty much there and pieces of the left one are too but not as much as the right. I cant tell yet if they are getting any thicker. I may not notice that for another month or so like last time. It also looks like there is less fat under the right eye. The left has a "puffiness" to it. The left one also appears to be tighter than the right, like there was less skin for Dr. T to work with. Either way, the lines that were more prominent a few weeks ago are fading too and that's good!
The final cost totals are in:
Date/Doc---------------------------Charge--------Ins paid
11.19 Initial visit Dr. T ----------250.00 -----114.89
11.19 Photos Dr. T -----------------80.00 ------16.68
12.15 Pre-op/EKG Dr. C --------162.00 -------74.21
12.23 Surgery Dr. T ------------5000.00 -----540.02
12.23 Surgery Center ----------5000.00 -----286.67*
12.23 Anesthesia Dr. G --------1000.00 -----651.00
--------------------------------------------------------------
Totals ----------------------------11,492.00 ----1683.47
Total out of my pocket ------------------------- 250.00
Total prescriptions ----------------------------- ~50.00

* My out patient surgery deductible was applied to the surgicenter charge so the total they were paid was 536.67.
This surgery was less expensive, but I only had the lowers done this time. The anesthesiologist was in network for this one so my insurance didnt have to pay as much either.
I go back to Dr. T around the end of March for a follow up and also to plan the next revision. I still want the left upper revised and maybe the right lower fixed. We'll see what he says about all that. He did mention the last time I saw him that those revisions would be more difficult along with the fact that I just dont have a lot of skin left. I hate these xanthie things. I just want them gone.

Here is today's photo. It's improving, just slowly. I'll update again before my next appointment with Dr. T and then of course afterwards too!
See ya~

6 comments:

  1. Hello! I'm a 24 year old girl from Sweden :)

    I just read through your blog, and it was very helpful to me. About 2 years ago, I had my Xanthelasma removed. They were smaller than yours, though. A regular skin doctor removed them by burning off the skin over the spots, and wiping away the yellow stuff. He didn't close the wounds or anything! It left 2 bright spots on my face. The doctor said I wouldn't get any visible scars :( I'm thinking it might be because I have these dark rings under my eyes. Wish I knew how to make it go away.

    Anyway, I've been thinking of seeing a real plastic surgeon to get my scars fixed. Yours look better than mine. Atleast judging from your photos. I'm kind of nervous about it, but reading your blog made me more determined.

    I'm kind of scared that people around me will think I'm vain and stuff. But I just want to look normal. The scars are so bright compared to the skin around it, so I can't fully hide them with makeup. Sometimes I just want to cry when I see myself in the mirror. I just want to look normal. I've had a rough childhood and I'm finally starting to get better. I think removing the scars will help my poor self-confidence. I'm sure you know how it is :)

    Are you still going to update your blog? I'd love to see some more pictures after it's healed some more.

    Hope you have a wonderful day! / Linda

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  2. Barbara
    Thanks for sharing your story. What do you think changed the Ins. Companies minds? I have tried for years to get my "xanthies" removed and have had no luck with my HMO. I did have them burned of once($500) and it just made them bigger. Any Ideas?

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  3. I have no idea, honestly. We have a different system here in Sweden. I was surprised the skin doc could remove the just like that. But now I wish I had contacted an plastic surgeon right away.

    How are your scars healing up?

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  4. Oops I thought you were talking to me, Gordon. Sorry, haha.

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  5. Linda, Dont worry about what anyone else thinks! It's your face and if there is a way to remove your scars, I say go for it. Definitely go to an opthamologic (sp? it's late at night here~) plastic surgeon though. They know how to work around the eyes better and are more willing to do the work.
    As for updating, yes. I plan on updating very soon!
    Good luck and keep me posted!

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  6. Gordon,
    I asked my doctor the same question. He says it's because the xanthies are caused by a metabolic disorder, the high cholesterol. It still doesn't make sense to me either!
    I definitely recommend going to an eye doctor that also does plastics. They seem to know how to word the request to the insurance carriers. I have to say, he didn't promise he could get the insurance to pay but they did. Regular plastic surgeons wont even try.
    Good luck to you too and keep me posted on your xanthies too!

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