Hi Louise,
I don't know Sian Fairbank, but I had Scott Ferris who works in East Melbourne. He was fantastic - I cannot fault him at all. He works privately, but I think he does do some public work at the Alfred. These operations are usually pretty big and often have two plastic & reconstructive surgeons. I also had Damien Grinsell in the operation who also visited me whilst in hospital, but I didn't see him outside of hospital pre or post operatively. Damien works privately too, in East Melbourne & Essendon, and I think does public work at St Vincents Public Hospital. I could not recommend these two highly enough. They were both very understanding, encouraging and reassured me the whole way through the reconstructive process.
You also mentioned at the start, you were looking for a plastic surgeon for the mastectomy - I don't think a plastic surgeon would do that, I think you still need the general / breast surgeon to do the mastectomy and then the plastic surgeons take over. Be well advised that bilateral tram / diep flap reconstructions will be a VERY long operation 9+ hours, without the mastectomy. Some plastic surgeons will do immediate reconstruction during the same operation as the mastectomy, but you should check because they won't do it if you need other treatment ie. radiation.
good luck, and remember, it will hurt like hell, but the pain passes and it does get better. I am 5 weeks post surgery and couldn't be happier, although I still have a little discomfort, nothing that requires pain relief, but getting used to the new body!!
Penny
