I had a mastectomy three weeks today , right breast and I am just starting to do some research on reconstruction, but not looking at having it done till the end of the year. I did not hve an expander put in ,the Dr just left some extra skin. I was told it is covered by medicare , if so do you have to go on a waiting list and do you get to choose your surgeon?. If I want to have it done in a private hospital and choose the Dr I want and pay for it , can I still claim some of it back from medicare?. Also I would be having it done in Sydney , has any one had reconstruction done in Sydney and what Dr did you have?. So many to choose from just want to make sure on the Dr . What type of reconstruction is the best to have?. I am having a good day today more positive.Have been such a mess emotionally so many emotions real rollercoaster ride. No tears today YAH first time in a while. Thanks Debbie .xxx

Hi Debbie Great that you are doing some research on reconstruction, as there is a lot to find out. The link below is a resources sheet from BCNA which may help you. http://www.bcna.org.au/sites/default/files/the_beacon_53_resources_sheet.pdf I had a mastectomy in July 2009 and have not had a reconstruction as yet. However, I have done quite a lot of research including the following ... Reading reputable resources (such as those obtained through BCNA), attending a seminar put on by BreaCan in Melbourne - you can subscribe to a BreaCan podcast of their various reconstruction seminars. Their website is www.breacan.org.au. Additionally, I got a referral from my breast surgeon to a plastic surgeon (private system) and had an appointment to discuss what options were best for me. As you would know there are several types of reconstruction and it is important that you talk with your medical team to work out what is best for YOU. e.g. tram flap, implant ... or maybe nothing at all. Unlike your initial mastectomy surgery, reconstruction surgery now is not something you have to rush into. Talk with your medical team and maybe consider making an appointment with a plastic surgeon. Nearly two years on, I don't feel a burning desire to reconstruct, but am glad I've taken the time to do the research about what is best for me, should I shoose to reconstruct down the track. Emotionally, it is a rollercoaster ride - you are not alone there. Good luck and keep in touch if you feel like it. Kym

Thank you so much , yes I am not ready till end of the year if then, but thought I should start doing my research now as there is so much to take in. Thanks for the links. Yes emotionally it is such a ride , did not know I could cry so much. Big hugs Debbie xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Debbie, Reconstruction is an important part of our recovery - I am trying to steer my way though the choices... not as easy as I thought, but afer what we have endured, lets hope we end up with great boobs! x

Hi, as a post script to Kyms comments, I am on the waiting list to have my reconstruction done via medicare. Ive been told that it will take about 3 years to be done. So the sooner you get on the list the better. You can have it done privately but I dont know about any refund via medicare. I havnt made up my mine what type of recon I want yet ( or even if Im going to have one), but Im still on the list, the decision can be made closer to the surgery. The info sheet at BCNA is fantastic, but speak to your breast surgeon asap. take care. xxx.

Hi Keryn, My bc support group recently had a plastic surgeon as a guest speaker & he was saying that they can't have you on a waiting list longer than a year or they get fined. The reason he knew this was because his wife works in the admin where this is done. I can't remember the reason but it had to do with it being related to bc & reconstruction not plastic surgery. He also said most people don't know about this. This surgeon works in the public system in Sydney. Loretta xx

Reconstruction ? | BCNA Online Network

74 Replies

Annie_Gayed
Member
14 years ago
Hi Debbie

This is Annie from BCNA's Policy team.

Breast reconstruction surgery is covered by Medicare. If you are having surgery done privately, BCNA suggests you ask for written quotes before agreeing to anything as there can be significant out of pocket costs (up to $15,000). You might also like to contact your private health insurance fund (if you have one) to ask what they will cover.

Breast reconstruction surgery is also available through the public hospital system, where there will be little, or no, charge to you. However, there may be a lengthy waiting time on the waiting list - up to two years in some hospitals.

There is information on women's options for breast reconstruction on our website (including tips from other women) and in Issue 53 (Summer 2010) of The Beacon magazine. That issue was on the topic of reconstruction, so there is lots of information and women's stories.

If you saw a breast care nurse during your treatment, or have access to one at a local hospital, she would be a good person to talk to about your options.

Let me know if you have any other queries.

All the best, Annie
Deeay
Member
14 years ago
I decided to go with the DIEP flap as the area has also been radiated & expanders / implants not an option. Because it is such a huge operation I went to a highly recommended surgeon (thanks Chris!) and am going to have it done privately in August. V nervous about it all but I can't wait to wear decent necklines too! Who is your surgeon Debbie? That was such a short wait. Dr Lam in Sydney was 1yr minimum. I'm going with Dr Pennington now. Diane
Chris
Member
14 years ago
Hi Debbie, you haven't had to wait very long at all. I thought you were having your exchange in June. You will find the new implants so much more comfortable than the expanders. I will be thinking of you on the 24 th. It is a much easier operation than the mastectomy and insertion of expanders. How are they going now? Has the herniation settled down? Love Chris xx
pacwood
Member
14 years ago
Well just to update my situation. Im on the official waiting list through Peter Mac. The paper work advises that I may be done sometime in the next 365 days. I dont get the option of an implant or expander due to the area being radiated. Hope my year goes quickly.
Debbie_J
Member
14 years ago
I am having implants put in next Thursday 24th May. I had a mastectomy on the 15th march on my left breast. I had a mastectomy on my right breast in March 2012. I decided to have my left breast off as a precaution. A lot of cancer in my family.

I chose to have implants as I did not want to go through a long operation , which I beleive is 10hrs or more for a tram flap, as I get so sick and recovery is a lot longer.

I did a lot of research on implants and went with a brand called Mentor. My surgeon was going to usea brand called Silimed, but after researching them found out they have a polyurathane coating which is now some concern that after a period of time it brakes down in the body and can cause cancer. Private hospital in Britain has banned them and some surgeons in Australia have stopped using them till further reseach is done. They are approved by the TGA in Australia, but America has not approved them. After having breast cancer, I am not going tp out myself at risk and later on it may be proven that it causes cancer.

I am lucky I have only been on the waiting list since November 2011 to have it done in the public system. I have a top surgeon and I am not out of pocket.
joe
Member
14 years ago
I have had a right masctectomy 2 years ago in the public hospital system,I was very hapy with the out come I was in and had the breast removed a week after being diagnosed. Then 12months later the tissue expander put in and now waiting to have the sillicone implants put in and then reducing the other breast the only thing is that the whole thing has taken 2 years and still more to go I am looking forward to wearing low cut tops.hoping it is all worth it ,
joe
Member
14 years ago
I have had a right masctectomy 2 years ago in the public hospital system,I was very hapy with the out come I was in and had the breast removed a week after being diagnosed. Then 12months later the tissue expander put in and now waiting to have the sillicone implants put in and then reducing the other breast the only thing is that the whole thing has taken 2 years and still more to go I am looking forward to wearing low cut tops.hoping it is all worth it ,
Deeay
Member
15 years ago
Yes, I went through my private plastic surgeon to go on his public waiting list (about a year's wait as he only does 1 'public' day a month!!!). I guess the money is with the private insurers huh! He will do the operation, but because it will be in a public hospital and on the public waiting list there will be not be the huge gap fees. I am insured privately, but when you are looking at 2 boobs to be reconstructed and a 12-15 hour op for a DIEP flap, its $19,000 just for the op, let alone the anaesthesist and other costs. I agree, it is outrageous that Medicare covers so little of the fee.

I'm thinking I'll go for the expanders anyway as its less a toll on the body. Anyone out there had double implants for their reconstruction?

I'm so glad you are happy with your reconstruction Sue. Love the success stories!

x
Deeay
Member
15 years ago
Yes, I went through my private plastic surgeon to go on his public waiting list (about a year's wait as he only does 1 'public' day a month!!!). I guess the money is with the private insurers huh! He will do the operation, but because it will be in a public hospital and on the public waiting list there will be not be the huge gap fees. I am insured privately, but when you are looking at 2 boobs to be reconstructed and a 12-15 hour op for a DIEP flap, its $19,000 just for the op, let alone the anaesthesist and other costs. I agree, it is outrageous that Medicare covers so little of the fee.

I'm thinking I'll go for the expanders anyway as its less a toll on the body. Anyone out there had double implants for their reconstruction?

I'm so glad you are happy with your reconstruction Sue. Love the success stories!

x
Deeay
Member
15 years ago
Yes, I went through my private plastic surgeon to go on his public waiting list (about a year's wait as he only does 1 'public' day a month!!!). I guess the money is with the private insurers huh! He will do the operation, but because it will be in a public hospital and on the public waiting list there will be not be the huge gap fees. I am insured privately, but when you are looking at 2 boobs to be reconstructed and a 12-15 hour op for a DIEP flap, its $19,000 just for the op, let alone the anaesthesist and other costs. I agree, it is outrageous that Medicare covers so little of the fee.

I'm thinking I'll go for the expanders anyway as its less a toll on the body. Anyone out there had double implants for their reconstruction?

I'm so glad you are happy with your reconstruction Sue. Love the success stories!

x

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