How do I confirm that a woman I want to help pay for breast reduction surgery is serious?
604759
Have her give you a picture to help prove it.  Tell her you seriously want to help her.  I think she'll do it and will understand if she's really wanting your help.\n\nYou are doing a nice thing by helping someone but don't let someone con you out of money.
1130651
No, I'd save yourself the legal fees (you WON'T win, I predict) and spend the money on finding a dentist who is willing to make you look like a cartoon character on Tennessee Tuxedo. \n\nAny provider of service has the right to deny service, as long as the reason has nothing to do with the race/gender of the requestor. I'd encourage you to investigate the subcategory of Cosmetic Dentistry, Plastic Surgery, or Sex Change operations--those folks are specifically in the business of making people look like whomever or whatever they'd like to.
831169
Her doctor is just a really good doctor. There are no specific ethical restrictions about advertising or recommending surgery. Anybody can advertise, because you would still need to talk to a doctor about the surgery.  A doctor can recommend anything he thinks will help the person, whether it's physical or mental.  Some doctors have better personal ethics and will draw the line, but there will always be another doctor willing to perform the surgery.
483715
I'm not quite sure what you are trying to get at- but I'll try to answer some of your questions- and maybe some you didn't think of.\n\nIf you mean how far can the surgeon go to make you look like you have a genetic woman's vagina, the results are virtually indistinguishable from the "real thing". I have heard stories where a transsexual woman went to her gyno and the doctor couldn't tell anything had been done. You would just look like a hysterectomized female- vagina and no uterus.\n\nYes, a sex change is painful- most major operations are, but since you are more than likely a woman in a male body, you would have a higher tolerance for pain- a lot of women do. They do give you pain meds, and from most accounts, the worst of the pain is over within 2-3 days- after that- it's just background noise.\n\nIn the U.S., surgery can run anywhere from $8,000 to as high as $18,000 dollars. Dr. Marci Bowers took over Dr. Biber's practice in Trinidad, Colorado, and she currently charges (I think) about $15,000 for her procedure.\n\nIf you decide to go out of the country and get the op, Thailand is a top pick for a medical holiday. The Thai surgeons charge between $6,000 and $12,000 for their procedures, and they have excellent results. I am going to go to Dr. Suporn in Thailand for my surgery- I hear he does really good work.\n\nIf you have a small "package", the doctor can use two flaps of skin from the inside thigh to increase depth. They remove two triangular pieces, invert one (tip to base) and sew the sides closed, resulting in a tube of tissue.\n\nIf you are deciding on going ahead with your transition, I would recommend getting on hormones immediately- either a doctor can prescribe for you, or you can order them from overseas via the internet (see below). You are young enough that hormones will have a dramatic effect on your body- I waited until I was in my early 30's to start hormones and I don't know if they will be as effective for me as they will be for you.\n\nAlso, you can't really "decide" to be transsexual- you either are a female (mind) in a male body or you are not. If you have felt that all your life that you are a female, that this male body is a mistake, that you HATE having male genitals attached to your crotch, more than likely, you are a MtF (male to female) transsexual. What you CAN do is to decide to do something about your predicament- and if you really want to do it, transitioning might be a good thing for you to do.\n\nEmail me at (mageapprentice@yahoo.com) if you want to talk more in depth.
802754
It depends on the type of insurance you have.  You can always call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask them.  Otherwise, generally they will pay if there is a reason to.  For instance, if there are suspicious lumps or leaking from the nipple or a newly inverted nipple would all be reasons to evaluate what is going on.
305985
She should contact the hospital directly and explain the situation.  Somestimes (but depending on the hospital), they will be willing to forgive a portion of the bill, and work on a payment plan for the rest.\n\nIf not, is your friend part of any community that would be willing to put on a fundraiser for her?  Is she part of a church?  Is there a community of Colombian-Americans?  Perhaps a block party?\n\nGood luck!
770422
yes, you should. \nand if she IS a feminist, and if she insists you split the bill in half or pay for it herself, be firm and say that you had invited her, so you would do your part and pay; that it had nothing to do with feminism and all that, and that you're just doing this because you'll feel bad if you dont.\n\nif she's a nice girl, even if she IS a feminist, she'll accept it.
381675
GF did about a year ago.  Don't remember the cost sorry, she didn't stay in (i assume u mean hospital) but for the operation, come home that day, she was pretty sore first couple days but they gave her good drugs for that and from what i have seen they is no loss of sensation anywhere.  The biggest change i have noticed is that she feels better about herself.  Personally, I like small god given breast, but u got to do what u feel is right for u.
59468
They see the surgery as a pre-existing condition. Meaning (they think) she is going to have to keep having problems with the endometriosis and they're going to have to keep paying. If health insurance companies can save money and backstab the little guy, they do. Sorry. Save money to pay cash for doctor's appt.s also, if you cant get health insurance for her and she does get sick my advice (and what alot of people do) is to go to the Emergency room. They don't make you pay up front and will also work out a payment plan with you. Hope this helps. Give it some time and they might not see it as a pre-exsiting condition as long as she doesn't have anymore problems with it.
43344
By letting her know what your intentions are,straight up.Good news is,she probably already knows.You still have to let her know though.
1009190
First, I would try looking at the normal places to see if she's registered. You can usually do that from your computer. Try, Target, Wal-Mart, Linens n Things, Bed Bath and Beyond, Dillards, Foleys, and after that I'd give up and ask if she's registered. It might look like you spent more time on it if you just looked first, but there's no shame in asking. If she says she's not registered, I'd find a nice gift card for one of those places, even if they already have everything, you can never have too many sheets or towels, and a woman can always want to update some kitchen product, etc. I think for a co-worker $20-$40 would be a nice price for a gift.
572922
ask her to share feelings as well as money
701122
for breast reduction most if not all insurance carriers should cover this ... they have recogonized that they can cause serious back problems and cause shoulder to hunch if they are too big, she should ask her doctor if he can make it so that this is covered under insurance ... as for cost most times it'll be the same as a breast enlargement, but each person is different ... probably around 5k-9k ... but please use a doctor that is reputable not just a cheap one.
1157328
Talk directly with her oncologist and surgeon.  They will have staff members that work directly with insurance companies.  Ask her doctors (the more the better) to write letters to the insurance company.  Many times, all it takes is an additional request because many insurance companies automatically deny the first claim. Contact the local chapter of the American Cancer Society for advise and information on consumer advocacy groups. Contact your state insurance commissioner office also.  Check your local television, radio, and newspapers for consumer advocates or "action lines".   As a cancer patient, I know how frustrating and frightening the waiting can be.   It doesn't help when you are denied treatment because of your insurance carrier.
523857
if it is reconstructive surgery, probably.\n\nif it is cosmetic and they do, im going to be pissed... my tax dollars shouldnt be going to boob jobs.
602888
You need to seek out a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and you can do that by either asking your primary care physician for a referral or you can obtain a list of  from the American Medical Association.\n      I also believe there is an Academy of Board Cerftified Plastic Surgeons that can also give you the names of doctors in the area you are looking for.\n      Unless you get a recommendation straight from a previous patients mouth,you pretty much have to take your chances.\n      Knowing what is involved in this procedure and how it is performed is the first thing you need to school yourself on so that when you do get that inital appointment you will know the right questions to ask of the surgeon and you will be able to tell if that surgeon is giving you qualified answers.\n      With patient confidentiality laws now a days, it would be rare to be able to see before and after pictures of previous patients but I suppose it is possible that some patients have given consent to have their pictures available as testimony to the doctor's skills.\n       Call the doctors on your list and simply ask them if they have such photos available for viewing.       Good Luck
1187747
Hello. I am too a Breast Cancer survivor. Try asking some friends or family to host a benefit for you. I helped with one that raised well over $10,000 by having a spaghetti feed, raffle, and silent auction. It was awesome. You can get local businesses to donate items and food etc.  Talk to some of your family and/or friends. I know that might be awkward, but I think if you explain you financial burdens (which I know and understand all too well) they might be willing to do this for you. Good luck!