Hello lovely ladies Am sincerely hoping for some advice. I underwent a left breast skin sparing mastectomy in December 2014. I had an expander put in and have been waiting ever since for my DIEP surgery. I get the distinct impression that my surgeon wants me to go for the implant procedure as he mentions it every time I see him, asking me if I'm sure and if I'm prepared for the scars, recovery time etc. I know I have to be sure and have always been very firm in my decision, I really feel like he just wants the quicker procedure. He scheduled my surgery for June and then cancelled at the last minute and now I am told it may not be until next year taking my waiting time into 2 years. I am very interested in others waiting times and if there are any recommendations on what I should be doing. Also, my surgeon is Dr Elias Moisidis, has anyone got any feedback on him please? Feeling pretty desperate, people are constantly asking me if I have a date and I am finding it harder and harder to keep together emotionally when this happens. Thank you in advance Maria xo

Hi Maria, I have no personal knowledge or experience of expanders as I did have an implant with my skin and nipple saving mastectomy, however if you feel that your surgeon is giving you the run around or putting you off why not go for a second opinion with another surgeon?? I'm sure that the lovelies on here will be able to give you more information but I know that if I was losing confidence in my surgeon because I felt they were trying to just suit themselves re treatment I would be looking elsewhere. You are the person who has to live with the final results of your surgery not your surgeon and you are the one who has to be happy with the decision that you make for a very long time. Perhaps letting the forum know your local area so anyone who has had a surgeon in that area can help advise you? All the best, let us know how you get on and what you decide to do. Xx Cath

Thanks Cath, I am in Menai (Sydney suburb) and would welcome recommendations. I suppose I've been a bit shy about shopping around as I'm a public patient. You are absolutely right and thank you for the suggestion. Maria xo

Hi Maria, Sorry it has taken me a while to reply ... I'm still finding my way around this site! I feel your frustration. The waiting is difficult. I was lucky to have my diep done at the same time as skin sparing mastectomy to treat my cancer. I was also a public patient but was high priority because I still had cancer. It may take a year before I have review surgery to make a nipple. My surgeon was very experienced in diep surgery. My neighbour wasn't offered autologous recon at all because her surgeon only did implants. A second opinion is so important if you are not 100% happy because diep is major surgery. A confident experienced surgeon is a MUST! I have posted photos in the breast reconstruction group with a few words on my experience but have accepted your connection request too ... very happy to chat privately if it will help. All the best with your choices. The waiting is hard but will allow you time to research well so you sre confident your path is right for you. Love and hugs, Kathryn x

Hi Maria, not all surgeons are experienced in offering different types of breast reconstruction, particularly the more complex procedures such as DIEP surgery where the surgeon needs to be trained in microsurgical techniques. This more specialised surgery is typically undertaken by a plastic surgeon, but again, not all plastic surgeons are trained in this procedure so you need to seek out someone who has this training and who performs the procedure very regularly. Are you a member of the Breast Reconstruction group? There are lots of ladies in that group (including myself) who have had DIEP reconstruction and reading their stories and viewing their photos may help give you more information about what to expect. You can post a question asking about referrals to a DIEP-trained plastic surgeon in Sydney that also works out of the public system. It is definitely a good idea to seek out at least another opinion as it is so important to feel confident and comfortable with your surgeon and feel as though you are being listened to. You can join the group here: breast-reconstruction-online-group - just click on Join and send us a brief message about why you'd like to join the group :-) You might also find the information available on the Reclaim Your Curves website about the different procedures available, as well as tips on choosing the right surgeon for you, helpful. This is the link to the site: reclaimyourcurves. Best wishes, Jane xx

Thank you Kathryn, your photo's were just fantastic for me as the surgeon has explained the procedure but there is nothing more reassuring thank seeing the real thing. Since positing I have been researching and am determined to be more assertive. I have checked him out and he is experienced at the procedure and so far have found no negative feedback. I think he is just putting me off for some reason and he seems to be genuinely surprised that I don't want an implant. I have since joined Reclaim your Curves and will be asking on that site for recommendations for a second opinion as well as the Breast Reconstruction Group here. Thank's again for your response and for accepting my request. Wishing you the very best for the remainder of your reconstruction, hopefully we can compare notes in the near future. Love, Maria XO

Waiting on the waiting list! | BCNA Online Network

11 Replies

NaomiV
Member
9 years ago
Hi Maria! I see you have made an appointment already to see another surgeon but I just thought I'd let you know, I'm in Kogarah - and have been seeing Dr. Damien Marucci as a public patient (He's got rooms in Kogarah and Miranda) - i think he's absolutely fantastic. I've had a mastectomy with expander and every single step of the way he has made sure I am comfortable with our plan and he very much made it my choice (based on the options he gave tailored to my situation). He never once made me feel pressured into what he felt was best, he's just made me feel that whatever I want he will make happen.
So just another option there! Good luck - i feel frustrated on your behalf that your current surgeon isn't listening to what you want!
Michk
Member
9 years ago
Hi Maria - if you've already had your surgery I hope it went well. I am happy to message you who did my reconstruction, unfortunately it was a really bad experience. Neither had my best interests in mind. I had several consultations and although he explained the risks (1% risk of rejection) of how I wanted to do the surgery I was very certain in how I wanted to proceed and was happy to accept the risks. While he agreed during the consultations, the short story is that they ended up doing the surgery as they thought it should have been done, not as I wanted and had been agreed. Obviously it's your decision and it might be the right option for you.
Maria3216
Member
9 years ago
Thank you everyone for your responses and encouragement. I have joined the Reclaim your Curves FB page and have been overwhelmed by the stories of the ladies there. I have acted on recommendations and have an appointment with Dr Clarke at Mosman next week. My problem is not so much the waiting but the feeling that my surgeon is reluctant to carry out the complex procedure and keeps pushing for me to have an implant. I really do not feel he has my best interest at heart. Thank you for sharing your experiences and I wish you all the very best.
Maria XOXO
Hopes_and_Dream
Member
9 years ago
Hi Maria, my surgeon is a specialist solely in breast cancer and reconstruction/cosmetic surgery. I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy 6 weeks ago. He gave me all the options during my pre-surgery consultation and I chose to go with an immediate implant reconstruction. Couple of reasons for me. I have had 3 x previous abdominal surgery which brings the danger of cutting into adhesions and internal scarring. Plus I'm fairly slim so not enough flesh on me to do a DIEP reconstruction.

I'm only a small B cup (probably being optimistic there!) so I thought this might be an opportunity to go up a couple of sizes but when he explained the expander process (and doing surgery on the other breast to increase size) I opted to go for an implant to match my other breast. At the time of diagnosis, facing ongoing cosmetic surgery was too much to think about, I just wanted it all over with.

I'm happy with the result. My new breast looks good with just a fine scar underneath and the match in size and shape is close to perfect. My nipple and 95% of the breast is numb and will likely stay that way but I am slowly getting used to the lack of sensation.

All our bodies are different and what works best for one of us won't necessarily suit another. Don't rush in to making a decision Maria, do what is right for you and take all the time you need - this will be your new breast for a long time!
I hope everything is going well, sending you my best wishes.

Jane x
Cate64
Member
9 years ago
I had a DIEP reconstruction in June of 2008 with a very experienced surgeon. The scars fade back to barely noticeable.

Its the fix-up surgeries that I have found a drainer & now more than 8 years later I am currently into 22 months on the waiting list for yet another one, this will bring it to the 5th fix-up... If I had my time again I would go the implant route. The surgeon did advise that on the day he will be more interested in a successful graft than anything else & that he may have to adjust size afterward in a fix-up, I never expected it to be many surgeries nor for it to be ongoing 8 years later.
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
Hi Maria,

my surgery was cancelled a few times for various reasons which was very frustrating. I had a bilateral TRAM which is similar to a DIEP. One thing with these long complex surgeries is that it brings a big team together for a whole day. Minor things can cause cancellations which of course doesn't help your frustration. However they then have to coordinate the whole team together again. Maybe you could ask your surgeon why he is so keen for you to have implants? Some surgeons do prefer certain procedures. My breast surgeon was keen for me to have implants as he could do the procedure. When I mentioned the TRAM or DIEP he too advised me re scars, costs length of procedure, however when I stuck to my guns he happily referred me to a plastic surgeon who was skilled at the microsurgery. They both actually worked together when I had the op.

I was private so don't have much experience with the public waiting list if you are public.

Sending you a hug, stick to your guns and I hope you don't have to,wait much longer. One thing yiu can do while you wait is try and get as fit as possible as this will really help with your recovery.

Paula xx
Maria3216
Member
9 years ago
Thank you Kathryn, your photo's were just fantastic for me as the surgeon has explained the procedure but there is nothing more reassuring thank seeing the real thing. Since positing I have been researching and am determined to be more assertive. I have checked him out and he is experienced at the procedure and so far have found no negative feedback. I think he is just putting me off for some reason and he seems to be genuinely surprised that I don't want an implant. I have since joined Reclaim your Curves and will be asking on that site for recommendations for a second opinion as well as the Breast Reconstruction Group here. Thank's again for your response and for accepting my request. Wishing you the very best for the remainder of your reconstruction, hopefully we can compare notes in the near future.

Love, Maria XO
Jane221
Member
9 years ago
Hi Maria, not all surgeons are experienced in offering different types of breast reconstruction, particularly the more complex procedures such as DIEP surgery where the surgeon needs to be trained in microsurgical techniques. This more specialised surgery is typically undertaken by a plastic surgeon, but again, not all plastic surgeons are trained in this procedure so you need to seek out someone who has this training and who performs the procedure very regularly.

Are you a member of the Breast Reconstruction group? There are lots of ladies in that group (including myself) who have had DIEP reconstruction and reading their stories and viewing their photos may help give you more information about what to expect. You can post a question asking about referrals to a DIEP-trained plastic surgeon in Sydney that also works out of the public system. It is definitely a good idea to seek out at least another opinion as it is so important to feel confident and comfortable with your surgeon and feel as though you are being listened to. You can join the group here: breast-reconstruction-online-group - just click on Join and send us a brief message about why you'd like to join the group :-)

You might also find the information available on the Reclaim Your Curves website about the different procedures available, as well as tips on choosing the right surgeon for you, helpful. This is the link to the site: reclaimyourcurves.

Best wishes, Jane xx
KathrynL
Member
9 years ago
Hi Maria,

Sorry it has taken me a while to reply ... I'm still finding my way around this site!

I feel your frustration. The waiting is difficult. I was lucky to have my diep done at the same time as skin sparing mastectomy to treat my cancer. I was also a public patient but was high priority because I still had cancer. It may take a year before I have review surgery to make a nipple.

My surgeon was very experienced in diep surgery. My neighbour wasn't offered autologous recon at all because her surgeon only did implants. A second opinion is so important if you are not 100% happy because diep is major surgery. A confident experienced surgeon is a MUST!

I have posted photos in the breast reconstruction group with a few words on my experience but have accepted your connection request too ... very happy to chat privately if it will help.

All the best with your choices. The waiting is hard but will allow you time to research well so you sre confident your path is right for you.

Love and hugs, Kathryn x
Maria3216
Member
9 years ago
Thanks Cath, I am in Menai (Sydney suburb) and would welcome recommendations. I suppose I've been a bit shy about shopping around as I'm a public patient. You are absolutely right and thank you for the suggestion. Maria xo