Dr Hamish Farrow Melbourne feedback and out of pocket

Hi @Zoffiel.  There is always someone worse off than yourself- 6 surgeries!  I know, I’m just unlucky - not the surgeons fault that it encapsulated.  Although he did put in the wrong implants -so who knows what else happened.  He did offer to re-do the surgery and put in the right implants, but I didn’t want an unnecessary surgery.  It always seems that whatever decision I make it ends up being the wrong one.
I hope to see a couple of surgeons and get some opinions - or just live with it.  If it wasn’t sore, I wouldn’t even bother. Even if I deserve a better outcome, I worry that it’ll just be even worse. 😬. Thanks for your comments and I’ll definitely look into Peter Mac, as others have mentioned it x

@Ratbag my implants/expanders escaped as well. The left one decided it wanted to be in my armpit (happened within two weeks) and the right, bizarrely, migrated toward my collar bone. 

Ive had six surgeries to replace them or stuff the bloody things back into place and deal with some epic encapsulation. It was very frustrating and time consuming. But it was also 16 years ago.

The encapsulation is not uncommon, particularly if you are someone who develops keloid scars which are thick and prominent. It's a thing. You can't control it. Years ago the surgeons didn't seem to consider this, but that is changing.

Interesting that my Peter Mac prof has commented that muscular women might have more problems with sub pec implants. Maybe we squeeze them out. He has also observed that I'm generally 'irritable' with my gluten and latex allergies as well. I'll give him irritable. After nearly two decades, he's realised I'm a pain in the arse in other ways as well :)

Don't fixate on one person. Plan your trip. Good luck MXX

Hi @June1952
I don’t have a referral yet, I was looking for feedback before I even called the surgery to see if he is taking on new patients. 

Hi @arpie. Sorry I wasn’t very clear, I have a hole in the capsule that forms around the implant, not the implant itself. So instead of implant, capsule then skin, the implant is bulging through the hole in the capsule.  The implant itself does not have a hole in it.  My plastic surgeon retired 2 months after the surgery, which is why my breast surgeon (who just removed the tissue) is recommending I go to Melbourne.  I have had 2 differing opinions from other plastic surgeons in Hobart, which why he suggested Dr Farrow as apparently he is one of the best. 

https://wecan.org.au/concerns/housing-accommodation/


You have a lot to organise however the suggestion of Peter Mac as a public patient is certainly worth considering 

The link above is for accommodation 

https://www.petermac.org/location/melbourne/accessing-our-services

If you can get a referral to Peter Mac, where there are multiple surgeons who have reconstruction experience, you can be treated as a public patient which cuts the cost.

Hi @Ratbag
Has your surgeon sent a referral to Dr Farrow ?  He may or may not accept you as a patient so don't get ahead of yourself.
Best to make contact with his rooms to ask for the actual costs as that will be a ballpark figure and hopefully he will negotiate when you see him.  Also, some specialists have a website outlining their fees so check for that.
All the best.  Keep us posted.

So sorry this has happened to you, @Ratbag ....

It sounds like a 'malfunction/faulty' capsule - which, if it related to a car or other item, I would expect it to be replaced 'free of charge' .... but as they are sending you to a different surgeon in a different state for the rectification - this may not be the case.

I know that in WA, flight costs for rural patients can be covered by the 'Travel Scheme' available within that state - and Tasmania should have a similar scheme. 

(A portion of your accommodation should be covered by them anyway.) 

There is no guarantee that they will 'come to the party' - but if you don't ask, you don't get.

take care & all the best.