Adelaide's Dr Angel (no gap!)

Hi Mechell,

Just wondering how you got on with the reconstruction in Tas and if you have any tips. I am in very much the same boat. No insurance/job. I am about to start neoadjuvent chemo but with little boobs I dont like the chance of conserving surgery. i am considering relocating so I dont have to go without a boob.

Hi there,  just read your posts with much interest, am about to go down the reco' road here in Tasmania and its all a bit too much for the chemo brain,, lol,, I went to petermac in Melbourne, where I was living when diagnosed, and had my surgery and chemo, then moved to Tas and did radio down here with Dr Mark Bell from WA, love him, hes grouse,,

,,now looking into the reco'

am given the option of External oblique here in Tas and the DIEP at petermac, both have their pros and cons, but as I wrote to someone else, I NEED to get 'strait' again, walking around with a G cup one side and a half the chook, not just the fillet on the other,, so I can pay $6000 aprox here in Tas with Maria Popa or go to waiting list in May at petermac with a minimum of 2yrs, Im going to pay-the-way,, I cant wait that long,, I was slashed/poisoned n burned back in Oct 2010, so am well ready in June for some fixture, (thats one year after radio)

I have no private and lost my job and had to move back with family in Tasmania when I got bc. It doesnt seem an option to go shopping for a plastic surgeon ,, and I fear paying for a years private and then they say, oh no sorry we dont do that!

Any tips you can give me warmly recieved,,

incidentally, you mention the year of the Dragon, The year of the Tiger, 2010, which I was born, an old Asian lady said to me I would be very sick this year and was a very bad year for Tigers health, I was in hospital for 10later thinking of her and then the big one hit in October,, just some trivia for you lol

thanks, mechell xxxxoooo

Thanks for your comments. I dont know that Melissa would want to be put on the Directory as she seems to be very busy already, but it's just nice to acknowlege the ethical way she has treated us.

Good luck Monday ! 

Good for you - glad to hear you too found the chicken fillet prosthesis annoying. It's worth looking into an implant so you dont have that lopsided feeling - its restored a lot of my self confidence.  Kxx

Hi Chris,

I hope you are also feeling well and able to move on after reconstruction...  hearing how much other people like yourself are out of pocket, really makes me feel grateful.  I dont think I was in any mental state to bargain the cost of reconstruction and  wonder wether it would have felt right to get other quotes from other sugeons. I was lucky!

I hope by sharing this other women may feel empowed to negotiate out of pocket cost as there are some wonderful caring doctors out there.  K xx

My one remaining boob is so small. But losing one small boob was still a large loss.  I can't imagine spending thousands on a new one  to match it. I've given up the idea of wearing a bra completly. I can't be bothered with the chicken fillet prosthesis... which annoys me. So whilst I am lopsided.. I think for now I will keep to the status quo. It  is an easier option for me to throw a loose top on.  I never thought that  having a  small  breast would be such an advantage for that reason. Cheers, Fiona.

Hi Kay,

It's good to hear your jumping into 2012 feeling great and that you have been really happy with your reconstruction!

I am not sure if you've found our Local Services Directory yet, but it's a great place to submit a service you recommend so that others can also benefit from the service - http://www.bcna.org.au/sharing-support/find-services-your-area

The Directory is still new, so we are relying on our members to recommend services that they have used and have found helped following their diagnosis of breast cancer. I thought you might want to check with your surgeon and see if she would be happy to be listed in the directory.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss further - 1800 500 258.

Cheers
Daina