Surgeon recommendations for bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in Melbourne

Hi, I had my BSO surgery in August last year at the Royal Womans in Melbourne.  My surgeon was Dr Orla McNally, who was just lovely. My Breast surgeon suggested her, and I was so glad she did.  I too am Brca2.  
Dr McNally does have an out of pocket charge, when I advised her I couldn’t afford to pay as both my husband and I had cancer diagnosis, she chose not to charge me.  Surgery went well, spent one night in hospital, then walked across the road to Peter Mac to be with hubby whilst he had his radiation treatment. 

I'm not in Melbourne, so can't help from that perspective.
I did, however, have that surgery laparoscopically earlier this year. My surgery was in the morning and I was home by lunchtime the following day. The worst pain that I had was my back, from the bed. Otherwise it was panadol and anti inflammatories pretty much. I had 2 weeks off work, and have recovered well.
The biggest change I have noticed ( I was already post menopausal) is much drier skin than previously. That could be coincidental.  Winter here is well known for drying skin out, too.
I hope you find someone you're comfortable with

I have mentioned to each of my specialists that my financial circumstances are extremely strained since I'm not working.  In each case, they have significantly or completely reduced the gap.  It's worth asking.

Hi @RachelleRachelle. I had the surgery in 2016, after finishing 5yrs on Zoladex. I didn't want to risk my ovaries going back into business again. I was terrified of hormones being in my body again as my BC was e and pr+.  I had surgery with surgeon recommended by my Onc.  I had never been out of pocket before for any surgeries (BC x 2, gall bladder, thyroid) so it never crossed my mind to ask about out of pocket. The surgeon's admin never advised there would be a gap either. In the end I was $2000 o.o.p.  That may be less than some but being on a centrelink payment, that was a bombshell when I found that Medicare rebate didn't cover it all. I would not have gone with another surgeon as I trust the recommendations of my specialists. But I could have prepared for the cost and the shock of the out of pocket had I known in advance. The surgeon was excellent and it was done in a private hospital as I have private health and I don't regret going with him, but I could have made some choices about timing of OP and getting money together had I known in advance of the surgery. I won't compromise on my health as BC (now x3) has brought my mortality to the forefront so I do what I need to do with the most trusted specialists I can find. But finding out about the gap was extremely distressing. I guess at least you know in advance which gives you options. I recovered quite easily from the surgery and have no regrets about having it done. I wish you well with all your decisions. Could you talk to the surgeon about a payment plan or financial difficulty? My sister in-law asked about reduced fee for her daughters surgery (orthopaedic) and straight away the surgeon agreed to do it for scheduled fee. I would guess that people wouldn't usually ask if the the fee can be reduced.  No harm in asking.  :)

Thanks so much for your feedback @primek and @maggie14 :smile:

I probably should have been clearer in my original post. I guess what I'm really after is people who have had this particular surgery and how they felt about their surgeon and the out of pocket costs.

I've obviously had the referral from my oncologist plus I've also had advice from people who work in the industry and I have an upcoming appointment with a gynaecological oncologist whom I know does not charge any gap for this surgery.

What I don't have is many recommendations from women who have had the surgery and that's where I would love some guidance on their personal experience. 

Also if you call your private insurance they will provide you with a list of no gap surgeons that you can match against other recommendations 

Perhaps contact your breast care nurse about this or cancer care coordinator at your hospital you are being treated at. 

Does the preferred surgeon you currently have also work in the public system?. Maybe you can still have him but at a public hospital to cut costs.