Forum Discussion

hjoyy's avatar
hjoyy
Member
14 years ago

DIEP on left and implant on right

Hi Everyone,

I have chatted to a few of you already about your experiences but I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has gone ahead with a reconstructive surgery which has been a DIEP on one side and an implant on the other. 

This seems to be the only option open to me (I can't have implants on both sides as the risk of capsular contracture seems to high on the left which has already received radiation, and I am too slim to make two breasts from my stomach fat). I don't want to use Lat Dorsi as I swim and use those muscles, and I also don't want the TRAM cos I want to leave my transverse and rectus abdominus muscles as intact as I can. 

So, this seems to be my best reconstructive option. I have a great surgeon (Dr Pennington in Sydney) but I am just wondering if there is anyone out there who can tell me realistically how balanced this reconstruction looks. My surgery is booked for July 16th.

Thanks, Heather

 

 

3 Replies

  • Deeay's avatar
    Deeay
    Member
    14 years ago

    Julia,

    I'm also seeing Dr Pennington and having a double Diep on 22/8. The gap cost quoted is $18200 (!!!!!) and the rest covered by Medicare and Health fund. I'm going to Strathfield Private. Made the booking in March.

    There's goes the Retirement fund! lol

    Diane

  • Deeay's avatar
    Deeay
    Member
    14 years ago

    Julia,

    I'm also seeing Dr Pennington and having a double Diep on 22/8. The gap cost quoted is $18200 (!!!!!) and the rest covered by Medicare and Health fund. I'm going to Strathfield Private. Made the booking in March.

    There's goes the Retirement fund! lol

    Diane

  • hjoyy's avatar
    hjoyy
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Julia,

    I have found Dr Pennington very approachable. He is in Macquarie St Sydney. He does all sorts of plastic surgery, not just breast but has the reputation of being the best. I saw him for the first time in February and the next DIEP appointment time he had available was July (he is away for a month of leave and then I am away). He operates at Strathfield Private and Macquarie Uni hospital where I am going. 

    I saw him last Friday and had a very disjointed appointment (due to lunch breaks, a scan I had scheduled next door, him being slightly late). These delays contributed to me feeling unsettled and rushed which was disappointing. He is good to speak to though. He understands and is happy to answer all my questions although it did get to the point where he had to tell me to trust him as he is the doctor and not me! (I do ask a lot of detailed questions!). 

    Now to costs. We pay him, his assistant and the anesthetist. We pay all out of pocket costs before the surgery (as the deposit) and then by the time we reach the surgery, everything else is covered by medicare or Private health. For me the breakdowns are: Dr Pennington DIEP on L $5707, insertion of expander on R $3239; Assistant surgeon $1618, Anesthetist $4232. So thats a total of $14796. I will also have costs associated with the mastectomy on the R. 

    I hope this gives you an idea. Let me know if you have any other questions,

    Heather