Cost of reconstruction

Thanks @LouiseTurner that makes more sense. Yes I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in January and my surgeon didn't want to do the reconstruction at the same time. She wanted me to do my chemo and radio first. I've only had time and energy to deal with each stage as they come so waited until my radio was finished to get a referral to the plastic surgeon. So far my care has been amazing well organised etc. This huge bill is the first real obstacle I've come across. I'm going to call my breast surgeon on Monday and see if she can offer any alternatives to the really expensive surgeon (who I love unfortunately - she's also a woman). Thanks again for your information x

Hey @LouiseTurner my Plastic Surgeon said Thursday that he could put me Category 1, though Im 11 months post chemo, but because Ive had a recurrence. I figure Ive waited a whole year nearly now, doesnt really matter and it would have been right on Christmas and I didnt fancy spending that and January time with my kids in pain and crippled. So he put me Category 2  which is 90 days. He did say it depends on your circumstance as to what category they would put you, generally with a  positive BRCA 1 & 2 Gene, you are Category 1, I was negative. Im lucky to have a brilliant Surgeon in Melbourne the past 5yrs who also works in public and works with this particular Plastic Surgeon who said the care in the public is fantastic. So Im confident definitely in them both. What an ordeal it all is!!! xx

Hi @Marni it's a minefield to understand how the system works. Presuming you've had a mastectomy already it means you are looking at a delayed reconstruction which is what the long wait in public is for. For immediate recon it's only a 30-90 days as the mastectomy needs to be done and is usually catagory 1.

To find a plastic that operates in the public system just ask you breastfeeding surgeon or gp to refer you to one.

Even if you like the first surgeon you meet with, it's a good idea to have a few opinions as they can vary the technique and the cost.

Many surgeons operate in both and public doesn't mean poorer service or surgery. It all comes down to the surgeon.

All the best xx

@melclarity I'm in Mullumbimby near Byron Bay.
@KatyJoy I've also had excellent care and most of it has been free - apart from the MRI and a few other tests, and the hospital excess I have to pay each year $1000 which is my excess with BUPA. It's just the plastic surgeon who is really expensive. 

Marnie, Melinda, I can only speak from my own experience so this is a little of my experience. I was diagnosed through breast screen on a Monday. They called my gp and organised for me to go strait there to get a referral to a surgeon. I asked to be referred to the breast clinic of my local hospital. The gp obviously sent the referral strait away because I was only home for 1/2 hr and was called by breast clinic to come at 3 pm that afternoon where I saw my wonderful surgeon and met my 3 breast care nurses. I had an mri the next day (the only thing I have had to pay for) and saw the surgeon the following week. He called in the oncologist to consult and make a plan for me. In the following 2 weeks, I saw the surgeon, the oncologist, the genetics counsellor and the plastic surgeon, and met the day oncology team to get education for my chemo. Four weeks from diagnosis to commencement of my chemo seemed an eternity but in that time I had a bone scan, ct, more biopsies and portacath insertion as well as all my consults, all to plan the best care for me. I have also now seen the radio onc who will do my radiotherapy. My multidisciplinary team all communicate with each other and me so we are all on the same page and I feel involved in my care and treatment decisions. I don't think I could of had better care anywhere else.

Marni, yes exactly what I was saying and you'll find most health funds will say the same...its cosmetic. How could your surgeon charge so much over the fee??? Mine is private and he works in Royal Melbourne and does not charge over the fee. Are you in Melbourne??

thanks @KatyJoy I would need a different surgeon tough because it's my surgeon who is charging the extra $8K over the scheduled fee. I was told that in the public system I would wait 12 months for an appointment then another 12 months for the procedure. I could ask my surgeon to recommend a surgeon who works public and see what she says. I can call her on Monday.
I also just found a form on the BUPA website that says

@marni, for me I am going public, but you can get a referral to the public service, then when you see them say you wish to use your private insurance but have your surg in the public hospital. I think the waiting times are reduced, and the public hospital will not charge 'gap' fees. I attended the BCNA forum in Healesville today, and it was mentioned by several people that the public hospitals (I'm in victoria) seem to be offering a much better, more complete service than the private system at the moment. I can only say from my own experience, the care and support I have received has been fantastic.

@Marni you'll find they also dont cover the Anaesthethist either or only part of, they generally charge 3 times the average quota just disgusting. I use my private health cover for ever!thing else, but it isnt worth it for this...its disgusting.

That's great @ melclarity so glad you've got good are that's free!