​Breast reconstruction consultations
Recently I attended Reclaim Your Curve’s information night on the Central Coast of NSW.  It was fantastic,  bringing together wonderful resources and the collective wisdom of all the participants.

I observed that questions from the crowd regarding reconstruction consultations occasionally elicited concern from some about seeking out multiple doctors for information.  Was it that some feel it is ‘disloyal’ to see another Doctor?  That it took precious time from doctors when they might have been seeing other patients?  Fear of asking their GP for the referral?

We are about to redo our kitchen and we will be getting at least three quotes.  That’s for a kitchen!!!  With surgery we are talking about your life.  Definitely worth a couple of opinions don’t you think? I acknowledge that most consultations mean an out of pocket expense so I was fortunate that I could absorb these fees.  Frustratingly costs may be an obstacle for some.  Always worth asking before you see the doctor if a discount is possible.

So let me put your mind at ease about how many consultations you should attend.  AS MANY AS YOU NEED.  Here is a brief rundown on the SIX surgeons I have consulted since finishing my treatment two and a half years ago.  May I say they were, without exception, generous with their time, discussed their preferred techniques and encouraged me to look at all my options.  As I live on the NSW Central Coast these surgeons are all located in Sydney or locally.

Me and my dog 4 weeks post bilateral mastectomy, pre-chemo so I still have hair.  Looking forward to having cleavage again.

Name	Breast reconstruction type
Dr. Charles Cope  ​	Lattissimus Dorsi flap with expanders and implants
Dr. Megan Hassell	TRAM flap
Dr. Gavin Sandercoe ​	Fat transfer that may make it possible to use expanders and implants.   Also discussed DIEP
Dr. Simone Matousek	Discussed BRAVA system (This is a bra that uses suction to expand the skin rather than expanding from beneath the skin).  Then fat transfers are used to create a breast.  Requires multiple surgeries to transfer enough fat to make a whole breast but looked interesting for achieving symmetry.
Dr. Dry (USA)	Expanders with implants on radiated tissue.  I met with a woman while travelling in the US who had expanders with implants after radiation with this Doctor.  It took months to slowly expand the skin though!! ​
Dr. Mihaela Lefter  ​	Latissimus dorsi using implants that are also expanders so you are able to eliminate one procedure.

I was advised by all the surgeons including Dr. Dry that expanding radiated tissue is possible but slow and difficult and there is increased risk of complications. I was very keen to avoid the prolonged surgery and additional incisions required by TRAM and DIEP flaps so my goal really was to make sure I left no stone unturned.  Well after all this I decided to have a TRAM flap with Dr. Hassell and am currently on her public waiting list for surgery at Royal Northshore Hospital. 

I am so grateful I was able to discuss my options before making a decision.  Surgical techniques are always changing and being improved upon.  Thank goodness for Reclaim Your Curves.  Good luck everyone. ​​

Anne and Kelly at the Maitland BRA Event