I am at the academy and was wondering if any one has gotten a breast reduction surgery while they were in school. I also want to know if that was covered by insurance and how you even go about starting the process? What is the process as well? Thanks
Discuss this with a primary care provider at the Yard when you can make an appointment.
My comments below are based on my anecdotal experience and observations of the military healthcare system for my Navy career and retiree healthcare, as a recipient.
TRICARE Prime is your active duty military healthcare plan. Like many healthcare plans, the plan differentiates between cosmetic surgery (not covered) and medically necessary (covered). If it’s a matter of your preference, comfort, clothes fitting better, etc., that’s likely to be classified as cosmetic. If it is the direct cause of back, neck and shoulder problems or other issues, it may be medically recommended or necessary. The place to start the discussion is with your primary care provider.
Walter Reed NMMC does have plastic surgery and related specialists, but their primary focus is medically necessary procedures. I think they do have a waitlist for cosmetic procedures, and they do those as they have availability. You would face challenges because of your year-round schedule as a midshipman. I think you have to pay for cosmetic procedures. Again, this is just what I think I know - ah, just looked at the link, AD pays for cosmetic. I have gotten laser treatments for skin conditions in the Derm Dept for cosmetic reasons, and I paid. I was a “learning case” for derm residents. They worked on some scars I had.
Here’s the WRNMMC link:
This would not be a simple in-office laser treatment like I received. This would be invasive, involve anaesthesisa, etc. and recovery time.
Educate yourself in the process and all the details. I did some quick research, and the recovery looks like 2-6 weeks. Push-ups and running would not be happening. You probably could not get this done during the ac year. Depending on whether it’s classified medical or cosmetic, you might be able to do it during summer leave and get excused from an elective summer training block. The next window of time is right after graduation during basket leave, and then getting an easy stash job on the Yard before reporting to first duty station in the fall. That’s 100 steps down this road, though.
If you haven’t done this already, get a professional undergarment fitting and get the right kind of support and compression. It can make a huge difference in daily comfort. Go to a place like Soma in the Annapolis Harbour Center (same place as Amish Market, Nordstrom Rack) where they have trained staff. It will be worth every penny in comfort and better-fitting clothes. You may want to call ahead and make an appointment for a Saturday afternoon, to be sure you will have dedicated time with a fitter.
I have a few friends who were “blessed” this way and got the surgery. The aching shoulders, heat rash, chafing, finding clothes that fit without the button pull - they all said they wished they had done it sooner.
Best of luck. Go see a provider. They will be professional about it. It is nothing to be embarrassed about.
I do hope you’re not a troll!
