Reconstruction in the public system. On waiting lists from 2009 to 2018. Finally finished.

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Sarah-Anne
Sarah-Anne Member Posts: 15 ✭
edited July 2018 in General discussion
My final reconstruction results are good and I am thankful and grateful but it really did take a long time.
I spent 2009 - 2010 on a waiting list (a year to the day) for a double mastectomy and expanders.  I had previously had private insurance but had never used it and had given it up.  Had to go the public route.  The double mastectomy was supposedly preventive - I had non- invasive cancer (LCIS and ADH and ALH)  and family history but I also had DCIS which was only discovered in the final pathology after the mastectomies.  During that year on the waiting list I was lucky the DCIS did not progress.  I was 15 months in expanders.  That was too long to be in expanders.  My breastbone buckled slightly.   Finally exchanged to implants which immediately developed dents and ripples. Back to Outpatients.  PS suggested fat grafting to fill in the dents. Another year on the waiting list. Fat grafting did not work at all, saw PS again who suggested larger implants. Another year on the waiting list but took myself off the list a week before the op as by that time I could not overcome the fear of surgery but after a few months regretted that, back to the PS in Outpatients and got put back on the end of the waiting list for another year (to the day). Bigger implants were the answer, they did not develop ripples. Then back on the waiting list for nipple reconstruction and that took a year to the day.
So now I have finished.  I am nine years older.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 ✭
    edited July 2018
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  • Zoffiel
    Zoffiel Member Posts: 3,372 ✭
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    That's  a long time and a lot of trouble to go to for a set of tits. It really should not be that hard. Good on you for hanging in there. Out of curiosity, are you based in QLD?  The land of the bikini seems to have the worst record for recon wait lists. Mxx
  • Sarah-Anne
    Sarah-Anne Member Posts: 15 ✭
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    I am in Sydney. The waiting times for elective surgery leave you on the list for a year to the day (or the day before).  I was in those expanders from August 2010 till February 2012. (That one definitely went over a year).
    The thing is, if I was starting out now, knowing what I know now, at the age of 60, and even though I am happy with my final results, well...I don't think I would choose reconstruction.  I would stay flat.  That probably sounds ungrateful. 
  • Sarah-Anne
    Sarah-Anne Member Posts: 15 ✭
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    Thanks Joannie and Zoffiel.  I can't believe QLD would have elective waiting lists that go over a year.  Do they??
    I haven't had the nipples/areola colour tattooed.  I must wait 6 months and then find a medical tattooist.  I will definitely go ahead with that as it's the finishing touch.  I can't seem to find any recommendations here for tattooists who specialise in nipple/areola colour though.  I saw a program a while back on SBS about a BCNA member who had it done and the tattooist seemed good but I don't know who she is.  I will phone BCNA, maybe someone knows.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 ✭
    edited July 2018
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  • Zoffiel
    Zoffiel Member Posts: 3,372 ✭
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    It doesn't sound ungrateful @Sarah-Anne. I regret my reconstruction choices, for different reasons. It was a lot of mucking around, it's good to hear you are ok with the results. Mxx

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