Hi @DaisyMarigold and thx @melclarity - I went private and have had my two surgeries at St Vincent's Hospital (a left vertical skin sparing mastectomy, insertion of Aeroform tissue expander and SLNB in April 2016 and a DIEP Reconstruction in March this year, with a final one planned for September). My breast surgeon was Meron Pitcher (who is head of surgery at Western Hospital and also does public work for Breastscreen). Her private rooms are at the Western Hospital in Footscray. I think she might also have rooms at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora. Meron didn't charge any out of pocket expenses. I saw two breast surgeons for two opinions at the beginning - but found I clicked best with Meron and am very happy I decided to go with her. She 'got' me :). The breast care nurses who also work with her are just lovely as well. Meron recommended Damien Grinsell from Horizon Plastic Surgery as the plastic surgeon she prefers and whose charges are not as high as some and I have found he's very good - very particular, a good surgeon. Damien has rooms in Essendon and at St Vincent's. Meron also recommended Richard De Boer as my oncologist and I'm very happy with him as well.
So, all in all, it's a great team that works well for me. Happy to give more contact details if needed.
Like @melclarity you can see my reconstruction story in the Breast Reconstruction group.
Please pass our hugs on to your friend - and what a lovely friend you are for helping out in this way
Nikki x
ps Meron operated at St Vincent's with Damien (even though she operates at the Epworth and other hospitals) because Damien booked the surgery and Damien does all his private breast surgery at St Vincent's.
