Paying for Reconstruction up front

Yes, because I chose to go "private" instead of on the waiting list for MX and reconstruction I had to pay, and pay big! I initially had a lumpectomy and then near the end of chemo found out I had been and still was at high risk of breast cancer and more breast cancer. Because I had already had the initial lump out I was not a priority and the public waitlist was, I was told, years long. Being high risk I might not have had years.... so I had no choice really... I had double mastectomy with free TRAM reconstruction as a private patient in a public hospital. The plastic surgeon gap was $8000, the anaesthetist gap was $4000 and the breast surgeon gap was supposed to be $1000. The BS gap was waived because her resident ended up doing the mastctomy (long story). The PS required the gap payment 3 weeks prior to surgery. That money was supposed to pay for hubby and I to go to England this coming year so I could meet my recently found half-sister and her family. I just can't envisage ever being able to do that now :-/ But, I no longer panic about cancer coming back in my breasts. I just panic about it coming back elsewhere now! Our Australian health "insurance" system is pretty screwed. We have TOP executive, very expensive, insurance and yet we still paid huge amounts in gap fees. Jenn