Hi Michelle, I am also in Portland. Are you having surgery here? I was diagnosed by Dr. Perez but he doesn’t do lipo surgery. Hoping to find a doc that does… best wishes to you! ❤️
Hi Kristen! Is Dr. Perez a vascular surgeon? They are commonly the specialists who diagnose Lipedema.
There are only two surgeons in Portland who will perform liposuction for Lipedema and they are at OHSU. They are both in the same clinic, have a one-year wait for a consult, and a two-year wait for surgery. There is one in Washington, he's a phlebologist. There are several in California, especially Los Angeles because plastic surgeons are the typical specialists who do Lipedema surgery. That's where I'm having surgery.
If you're thinking of having surgery, let me know! I can help navigate through the insurance system.
You are a lifesaver. Yes, Dr. Perez is a vasc surgeon with Providence but he is more of the wear compression garments than surgery which is what I've noticed so far at least. I have really good insurance right now that covers just about everything (Aetna), and I would love to be able to get surgery scheduled. I'd love any help I can get. Thanks, Kristen
For a good start, call your insurance and ask to be assigned to a case manager for your Lipedema treatment. She (or he) will be your best resource specifically for your insurance plan. She can find out which Lipedema surgeons are covered under your plan and give you the criteria you must first meet to get approved for surgery. Count on it taking a while, it took me a full year to fulfill conservative care documentation, and go through the preauthorization process. You'll probably have it easier than me (and most everyone else), because Aetna is the most progressive insurance out there for lipo surgery.
You are SO LUCKY to have Aetna insurance. Dr. Jaime Schwartz in Los Angeles is contracted with Aetna. You wouldn’t even have to go throughout the nightmare that most of us have to go through. look him up! his website is Total Lipedema Care (TLC) and Dr. Karen Herbst is in his office. He worked with her on developing the Standard of Care for Lipedema
Hi Michelle, I am also in Portland. Are you having surgery here? I was diagnosed by Dr. Perez but he doesn’t do lipo surgery. Hoping to find a doc that does… best wishes to you! ❤️
Hi Kristen! Is Dr. Perez a vascular surgeon? They are commonly the specialists who diagnose Lipedema.
There are only two surgeons in Portland who will perform liposuction for Lipedema and they are at OHSU. They are both in the same clinic, have a one-year wait for a consult, and a two-year wait for surgery. There is one in Washington, he's a phlebologist. There are several in California, especially Los Angeles because plastic surgeons are the typical specialists who do Lipedema surgery. That's where I'm having surgery.
If you're thinking of having surgery, let me know! I can help navigate through the insurance system.
Thank you for the wishes!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
You are a lifesaver. Yes, Dr. Perez is a vasc surgeon with Providence but he is more of the wear compression garments than surgery which is what I've noticed so far at least. I have really good insurance right now that covers just about everything (Aetna), and I would love to be able to get surgery scheduled. I'd love any help I can get. Thanks, Kristen
For a good start, call your insurance and ask to be assigned to a case manager for your Lipedema treatment. She (or he) will be your best resource specifically for your insurance plan. She can find out which Lipedema surgeons are covered under your plan and give you the criteria you must first meet to get approved for surgery. Count on it taking a while, it took me a full year to fulfill conservative care documentation, and go through the preauthorization process. You'll probably have it easier than me (and most everyone else), because Aetna is the most progressive insurance out there for lipo surgery.
If you want any more tips, let me know!
You are SO LUCKY to have Aetna insurance. Dr. Jaime Schwartz in Los Angeles is contracted with Aetna. You wouldn’t even have to go throughout the nightmare that most of us have to go through. look him up! his website is Total Lipedema Care (TLC) and Dr. Karen Herbst is in his office. He worked with her on developing the Standard of Care for Lipedema