I have IBC

Hi Marian

Just thought I'd say that I had a reconstruction about three weeks before Christmas and haven't regretted it for a moment. It was tough surgery - 6 hours' worth and took a while to get over physically. Mentally, however, the moment I looked down to see two lumps, I was thrilled. I still look at my cleavage about a hundred times a day! I also gained a flatter stomach and have so much more confidence in my body image.

I lost my appetite for a few weeks after the operation, and am now about 9 kilos lighter than I was on the day of the operation. My jeans are falling off me. Whoopee!!

Think it through and go with what's right for you. It depends how badly it makes you feel having only one breast. I got sick of having a bra that could be used as a weapon of mass destruction and the way that I missed having two nice cushions on my chest in bed.

If you do decide to go ahead, make sure you get a referral to a good plastic surgeon. And it will be expensive. My new breast cost $30,000. We paid about $8000 of that - my most expensive Christmas present ever, but worth every cent. Medicare paid some of the surgeon's fees (about a quarter) and some of the anaesthetist's fees. The hospital bill was the biggest - about $15,000, but HBA paid all but $300 of that.

If you don't have private health insurance, it can be pot luck getting a good plastic surgeon, but not impossible.

Best wishes and best of luck

Sue