Forum Discussion

rachelwhitwham's avatar
8 years ago

Reconstructive surgery

Hi, I had DCIS and a mastectomy in June. It hadn't spread so all good. I will be having another mastectomy for preventative reasons and my surgeon said I could do reconstruction at the same time.
He referred me to Dr Kane in Brisbane to discuss this. He talked me through tram and tug flap surgery and expander/implant surgery. He showed me some pictures and a couple looked ok but I thought some looked awful. 
Plus the cost AFTER Medicare and health fund rebates is between $12k and $15k. 
Ive found decision making very easy up until now but really don't know if I want to have reconstruction or not. I would like to have it if they will look ok but would be very upset if they ended up like some of the pictures he showed me. I can live without boobs if that's the case, the first mastectomy hasn't worried me. 
Does anyone have any experience of this that they can share with me please? Also, is it worth getting a second opinion regarding the cost. We live in mackay so not sure if there is anywhere closer than Brisbane that does reconstruction. 
Any thoughts advice would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks, Rach.