State of the Nation - Question waiting times
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Forum Discussion
I waited two years after my mastectomy in 2011. I am in Cairns and went private as at the time there was no public plastic surgeon in Cairns. I actually asked for an immediate reconstruction but was told by my breast surgeon that as my recurrence was only 6 months after completing all active treatment (lumpectomy/chemo and radiation) that it was more urgent to heal from mastectomy and have more chemo. It took me 6 months to get into a private plastic surgeon after finishing my chemo. I then was not well enough for the surgery for another 6 months. I had my double TRAM flap (incliding prophylactic mastectomy) surgery at Cairns private hospital.
On another note I am working with a lady who is not a BCNA member (trying to convince her to join). She is in the public system at Cairns Hospital and had a double mastectomy 2 years ago and was not offered immediate reconstruction. She has just found out that even though she asked she was not on the waiting list for reconstruction. She has now been told it is a SEVEN year wait!
Paula
On another note I am working with a lady who is not a BCNA member (trying to convince her to join). She is in the public system at Cairns Hospital and had a double mastectomy 2 years ago and was not offered immediate reconstruction. She has just found out that even though she asked she was not on the waiting list for reconstruction. She has now been told it is a SEVEN year wait!
Paula