Forum Discussion

Silba's avatar
Silba
Member
7 years ago

Breast reconstruction costs.

Hi, just navigating the wonderful world of breast reconstruction need to have bilateral mastectomy, ( getting done next couple weeks) haven't made up mind about reconstruction due to financial costs. I have private health insurance and currently going privately through treatment, but have hit the reconstruction hurdle.  Any one can give me an idea of out of pocket costs and advise as to wether is time to go public and how do you jump from private to public., and has anyone had a "goldilocks" mastectomy ???? Thank you .
costs
Reconstruction
  • Sister's avatar
    Sister
    Member
    7 years ago
    I have private cover and my surgeon has told me there would be approximately $500 gap for his services but it wasn't a definitive discussion so I haven't asked for a breakdown of costs. And that was for one side.  He is well-known for keeping his costs down for BC patients where possible so this probably impacts.
    As for public or private, I don't think there's any difficulty switching but be aware that there appears to be massive differences in waiting times from state to state.
  • Harvey1903's avatar
    Harvey1903
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @Silba. I had mastectomy, reconstruction, and reduction all at the same time. 8 hour op 5 days in hospital.  I went public and haven't paid anything. Peter Mac Melbourne.  There are lots of posts in choosing breast reconstruction and the breconda website was also helpful.  Big decision all the best. J
  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @Silba. There's a lot of discussion on this over in the Choosing Breast Reconstruction group so do join and check it out. But to summarise, the price varies enormously, and waiting times in the public system vary from state to state. K  :)
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    7 years ago
    Oh that sounds very interesting and you would then have more time to consider which type of reconstruction you would have. 
  • Silba's avatar
    Silba
    Member
    7 years ago
    My surgeon says it's a mastectomy but they take the majority of the breast tissue and nipple but fold the skin flaps over each other to leave a slight bump rather than a concave chest.a but smaller than a A cup. He's only done a few so wondering if anyone else has had it done.
  • Glemmis's avatar
    Glemmis
    Member
    7 years ago
    Hi @silba, I had a mastectomy in 2016 and am now booked for a skin sparing prophalactic mastectomy on the other side & double reconstruction. I am going private & I will about 17,000 out of pocket. I haven't investigated the public system but there are other ladies who have. I think there is about a 2 year wait for public. You can also join the Reconstruction group where you will get lots of advice.