Forum Discussion

melp27's avatar
melp27
Member
14 years ago

reconstruction

I am so confused about all this...had a long talk with my mum today and she said maybe you should try and get yourself established again (i havent worked since diagnosis) so you can save some money because i will probably need a few weeks maybe a month recovery time after the operation and i dont think i will be able to claim my income protection payment for this operation as its of my own choice that im getting it done. Its been hard enough looking for work at the moment but when my protection payment runs out i will need to have found work. Have spoken to my health fund and if i add on a basic hospital cover i would be covered for the operation and most of the fees. would have to pay either $250 excess when i go into hospital or $500 in relation to what premium i would have to pay for the extra cover. mum said in the meantime i could get the weighted jelly like prosthesis (not like the one i already have) and be able to save until i can get the operation in public system.

my surgeon is Dr James kollias he's really good. he suggested either lat dorsi or some version of tram flap but personally i dont think i have enough tummy fat for the tram. im praying its not two years but i dont know how many days a week he does public patients versus private ones.

3 Replies

  • Shazinoz's avatar
    Shazinoz
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes in the hospital view it is calssed as elective but not the lowest class of elective but for most other things it is calssed as I think it is something like necessary or finishing up, or reconstructive and is sort of though of as the 2nd part of the first surgery and a necessary surgery, not somethign you just chose to have, it is something to finish off the 1st surgery and make you "whole" again - i.e put you back with 2 boobs, and becasue the mastectomy was for cancer it is sort of higher up the list too becasue it is deemed necessary or finishing off or something.

    I am haiving my other breast off when I finish chemo and it is deemed elective but is not lowest category, due to my history and if I turn out to be genetic positive then I go higher up the list - maybe 6-12 months instead of 12-18 months sort of thing (depends onyour surgeon, hospital, and its waiting times etc.

    There is NO HARM in asking them, if they will cover you as k=it is follow us. finishing off surgery (Damn I can't think of the correct word - Bloody chemo brain).

    GOOD LUCK

     

  • melp27's avatar
    melp27
    Member
    14 years ago

    one of the ladies over there cassandra says there will be another waiting period too and that i may be recovered after about 3 months so she says may not cover me. my oncolgist wrote on my last claim form for this that i have no limitations in regards to work so i may have to go through the whole application process again even if they can cover me for that shorter time for the recon operation. argh!!!!!!!!!!!! i thought in the hospitals view it is elective surgery as its not really urgent like the masectomy hence the waiting.

  • Shazinoz's avatar
    Shazinoz
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hey melp.

    Like I said on the other site ? contact them to see if they cover you while having the reconstructive surgery as it is not usually classed the same as elective surgery as it is part of your breast cancer surgery/ journey, so may in fact me covered.

    Hope you get the answers you need. ?