Sheila saw Dr. Stevens on television several years ago. He talked about breast reduction surgery, which was the first time she had heard about it. She happened to see him interviewed on another program a few months later, and she began researching the procedure. She started talking with local doctors including her gynecologist and another plastic surgeon. Her gynecologist hadn’t heard of breast reduction and the local surgeon she consulted told her insurance wouldn’t cover it.
Sheila started thinking about traveling to Los Angeles for breast reduction. Six months after Hurricane Katrina, she started a conversation with Charlie Sheridan at Marina Plastic Surgery, a dialogue that would end up taking almost six more months. Charlie found that Sheila’s insurance would indeed cover the procedure for her. In June of 2006, Sheila and her husband flew to Southern California.
“The surgery itself was much less difficult than I thought it would be,” Sheila said. She spent her first night at the Serenity Center, which was a great choice, she noted. “Even though we were thoroughly educated by Dr. Stevens and his staff, we were still a little apprehensive about recovery. Staying at the Serenity Center gave both me and my husband peace of mind. The staff was attentive, professional, and pleasant.” Sheila said she had a little nausea that first night, and the nurses at the center were very responsive. Sheila said she actually had little down time. She spent just two days in bed, then she and her husband went out to see the sights of Southern California. “I took pain medication for about four days, but no one was going to keep me from sightseeing. All in all I had a very good experience.” Now that several months have passed since her surgery, Sheila is delighted with the changes.
“Next month I’m running in the Crescent City Classic 10K in New Orleans. It’s my first race and I’m excited!” She also reports she has been excited to shop for clothes for the first time in a long while. “Now I can wear blazers and sweaters, you know, more current clothes. I’m less focused on the way I look, and I feel more confident in business meetings with my customers.” Interestingly, Sheila related that she isn’t the only one to seek plastic surgery after Hurricane Katrina. Lots of people in the New Orleans area have been down and depressed for some time, she said. She learned she wasn’t alone in wanting to make changes in her appearance. “It helps you have a new beginning, a whole new outlook,” Sheila said. If women have the opportunity to work with Dr. Stevens, they’ll be in good hands, according to Sheila. “He’s very sensitive; and he seemed to know just what size I should be so I wouldn’t look too big nor so small that I would seem like a different person. He was just fantastic, and his work is remarkable.”
