Cost of Reconstruction

Hi Lisa, the costs vary widely for reconstruction and depend on what type of reconstruction you are looking at having, whether it is uni or bilateral, as well as such things as your level of private health cover (if you have it), whether the surgeon provides no gap cover and the hospital where you are having the procedure.

I had a unilateral DIEP flap reconstruction last year at Prince of Wales private and my out of pocket expenses were the $500 excess and around $7,500 in surgeon & anaesthetist fees. I was in hospital for 8 days and the only other expenses were the medications to take home. I had two further operations at East Sydney Private to lipofill a dent in the reconstructed breast due to having to drain a large seroma, a breast lift on the other side to create better symmetry and nipple reconstruction. My surgeon no gapped these subsequent surgeries, which was a great help and there were no other expenses other than the take home meds. 

When you see Dr Lam he should provide you with a quote for your recommended procedure so that you can have an idea of what it will cost well beforehand. 

Not sure if you're a member of the breast reconstruction group  but you would be welcome to join us and to read about other women's experiences of the reconstruction type you're interested in having. Best of luck with it all. Jane xx