I am trying to find the best DIEP flap breast reconstruction specialist in Sydney. Any suggestions would be greatly appreicated. My diagnosis, age 32 grade 3 tumor, lumpectomy, chemo and radiation therapy. All clear for nearly 6 years now but recently diagnosed with BRCA 1 gene mutation and have been advised to have a preventative double mastectomy, breast reconstruction and ovaries removed by the time I'm 40 which is in a year and a half. Was intially hoping to get a nice little boob job with implants but have been advised that my damaged radiotherapied skin will not withstand that proceeduree and there is a 75% chance of complication. So on to option 2. TRAM or DIEP flap procedure. I am a highly active sports person and hate the idea of my abdomen being compromised and the though of the TRAM flap procedure really worries me. Then I was told of the DIEP flap procedure that does not compromise the abdomen muscles and I am keen to know more. However, I now need to find a DIEP flap speicalist in Sydney and would greatly appreciate any recommendations. Also would love to hear from anyone that has had the DIEP procedure and any advice on what to expect, also how much their abdomen has really been effected in regards to high levels of physical activity, what the scaring is like and how long you were out of action during recovery. I look forward to any advice or comments. Trish :)

Hi Trish, I have just begun my double reconstruction, but opted in the end for tissue expanders, after seeing 3 surgeons and looking at all options. As I haven't had radiotherapy, and am only small busted, for me implants were the best choice. However I was very keen on the DIEP and found an excellent Sydney surgeon who I would have complete trust in had I decided to go down that path. The Dr is Professor David Pennington from RPA, and he is an expert in this field, and has done more than any other Sydney surgeon. He is a great believer in the DIEP over the TRAM, as it preserves the stomach muscles. 2 of my friends have also had him, so I've seen first hand how good he is. Check out his web page. I was able to see him within a few weeks of ringing for an appointment. Good luck. Love Chris xxx

Thank you Chris for your reply, much appreciated. I will look into Dr Pennington. Good luck with your journey. Kind regards, Trish :)

Hi Chris and Trish, I am thinking DIEP also as I will be having radiotherapy. So I will remember Dr Pennington. Chris, I am wondering if you know anything about his fees- presuming it has to be done as a private patient?? Thanks, Julia

Hi Julia, Dr Pennington prefers to operate at RPA for the DIEP, as he has well trained staff there to look after everything. As I would have gone in as a private patient in a public hospital, he said his fee for a double DIEP was about 18K. That was actually 10K less than one of the other surgeons I visited who would have performed a TRAM flap, which is an easier procedure. That fee did not include the extra mastectomy, as usually another Dr works with the plastic surgeon to do this. He told me his preference is to do this some months after a mastectomy, as he felt this was less complicated and reduced the surgery time a bit. However, had I insisted, he would have done it at the same time. I have just had one immediate and one delayed reconstruction, and I had serious complications with my immediate one. I had a spontaneous bleed under my tissue expander last Tuesday, a day short of 3 weeks post op. Unfortuneately I was just getting ready to leave Perth (after a little holiday), for home in Sydney. Instead of the airport I went to Royal Perth Hospital, where I needed surgery to evacuate a huge 800 ml clot. I had 2 days in hospital and IV antibiotics, and a drain for a week. I'm now home and my plastic surgeon is happy. ( i had a great plastic surgeon in Perth, so very lucky ). I'm still black and blue and quite swollen, but everything is getting better quickly, and in the scheme of things has probably only put my reconstruction back about 3 weeks. I was meant to start expansions last Wednesday, but now the Dr will wait until this heals before commencing. Good luck with your choices. Love Chris xx

Thank you, Chris Very helpful information. Sorry to hear of your recent medical problems and hope you are feeling better. I can't believe how expensive it is!!!! I suppose my health fund would cover some of it. I am thinking of also having the remaining breast off and having the double reconstruction done. Thanks, Julia

I need a DIEP Specialist in Sydney

59 Replies

stephaniek
Member
11 years ago
HI,

I have been advised Dr Pennington has retired as of December 2014.

Does anyone know if Dr P referred patients to someone else as of 2015.

All the posting I have read seem a little dated.

Is there someone who is happy to share their tram flap dr and what they thought and the results they got.

I would really like to read recent comments and dr's names.

If so, can you please tell me which Dr in Sydney, or does anyone know of an excellent recon surgeon who does tram flap.

Thanks

Steph
stephaniek
Member
11 years ago
HI,

I have been advised Dr Pennington has retired as of December 2014.

Does anyone know if Dr P referred patients to someone else as of 2015.

All the posting I have read seem a little dated.

Is there someone who is happy to share their tram flap dr and what they thought and the results they got.

I would really like to read recent comments and dr's names.

If so, can you please tell me which Dr in Sydney, or does anyone know of an excellent recon surgeon who does tram flap.

Thanks

Steph
Deeay
Member
13 years ago
Hi Jeni and Desi!

So pleased all went well Desi. Great news!

Jeni - I used those half moon pillows under my arm to sleep more comfortably and it was only a couple of weeks I slept on my back. I sort of went half on my side with the pillow. They really help. Did you get one when you had your mastectomy in the hospital?

Also Jeni - check your health insurance to see what it covers! Mine covered the cost of private hospital accom but some don't!

Diane
Desi
Member
13 years ago
Hi Diane So sorry only went into my messages today. The op went really well, I had my dressings and stitches on the naval removed today. I did not have much pain, just abit of discomfit with the drains. I feel much more confident with the implant out. I am so happy I had it done, I am so grateful for all your assistance and encouragement. I was happy with the treatment at Macquarie Hosp. Once the swelling is down I will email you. Cheers Desiree
Desi
Member
13 years ago
Hi Diane So sorry only went into my messages today. The op went really well, I had my dressings and stitches on the naval removed today. I did not have much pain, just abit of discomfit with the drains. I feel much more confident with the implant out. I am so happy I had it done, I am so grateful for all your assistance and encouragement. I was happy with the treatment at Macquarie Hosp. Once the swelling is down I will email you. Cheers Desiree
Jeni
Member
13 years ago
I also wanted to ask the exact same question, re Sydney surgeons and cost so thank you, the posts were really helpful and I hope everyones surgery went well. My question now is how long before people could sleep on their side? I would like to replace my implant with a diep or similiar and possibly a prophylactic mastectomy/reconstruction as well, but don't want to be in long term pain on both sides. Am I worrying unnecessarily about the pain as it does go away and how long?
Jeni
Member
13 years ago
I also wanted to ask the exact same question, re Sydney surgeons and cost so thank you, the posts were really helpful and I hope everyones surgery went well. My question now is how long before people could sleep on their side? I would like to replace my implant with a diep or similiar and possibly a prophylactic mastectomy/reconstruction as well, but don't want to be in long term pain on both sides. Am I worrying unnecessarily about the pain as it does go away and how long?
Deeay
Member
13 years ago
Hi Desi! How did it go? Can you PM me your room number and ill pop by in the weekend. Diane
Desi
Member
13 years ago
Thanks Diane, that would be lovely. I suppose it is normal to feel nervous now that it is getting closer. Cheers Desiree
Deeay
Member
13 years ago
Oh dear! So sorry Desi..... but honestly, it is worth it. You won't have any complications. I've heard some horror stories! Let me know how you go and if you want a visitor!!