Forum Discussion
Lisa1407
3 years agoMember
Hi there @NikkiJ6, I thought it might be useful for you to hear about my public experience even though I am in Victoria. I do have private insurance, so I am a private patient in a public hospital. It doesn't really give me any privilege, other than allowing me to specify my doctors, but the hospital gets extra money this way. I have to say that being treated in a public hospital has been terrific most of the time - really good expertise, timely responses most of the time and I have not paid a cent except for medication. In terms of where you are at now, your initial surgery would need to be done within 3-4 weeks (as someone above has specified). However, the wait may come when it is time for reconstruction, unless you can have any reconstruction done at the same time as lumpectomy/mastectomy (this may not be possible for medical reasons). I waited about 18 months for my reconstruction. Good luck with your decision!