Diep in Ontario

Options
Kcoco
Kcoco Member Posts: 5
edited January 2015 in Breast Reconstruction

Is DIEP covered by OHIP in Ontario to repair a partial mastectomy folling breast cancer treatment. If not any idea of costs

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited January 2015
    Yes it is covered. I am a Canadian living in Ontario. Reconstruction for breast cancer is covered by OHIP. I had a bilateral mascetomy and DIEP reconstruction done at Hamilton General in December 2013 by Dr. Avram (plastic surgeon) and Dr. Hodgson ( breast surgeon). You have to be referred to them by your GP. The waiting list for this PS is long (up to 2 years). I was fast tracked due to high risk family history (2 sisters with bc) and had breast cancer the first time in 2005.

    They are other plastic surgeons available ( some with shorter wait times) but you have to do your research to ensure you are getting a PS who is highly experienced with the procedure. In the Toronto area I know if Dr. Hoffner...he has a stellar reputation.

    PM if you have any questions on DIEP.

    Michele
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kcoco
    Kcoco Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2015

    thank you, thats awesome news. I have waited almost 2 years and I see Dr Avram in a few weeks for consult. Does he do good work and how long after consult did you get surgery. Also how much time was needed of of work to recover

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kcoco
    Kcoco Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2015

    oh sorry one more question, was it an out patient procedure or was there a hospital stay and if so for how long. Oh and was it painful.

    Thanks

    Karen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Curlylocks
    Curlylocks Member Posts: 1,060
    edited January 2015
    Hi Karen,

    What a small world! Dr. Avram is a fantastic plastic surgeon and very compassionate as well. I was fast tracked due to previous breast cancer in 2005 (age 41) --- had left breast lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and had ovaries removed in 2008. I also had 2 sisters diagnosed in 2010 and 2013 after my diagnosis. My baby sister sadly died of bc. It was exactly 4 months from consult to surgery, my first two surgery dates were cancelled due to patients with active cancer. The final date of Dec 16/13 went as planned.

    I was given 3 months off work to recover. It's a HUGE surgery, 7.5 hours under anasetethic.

    It's a very tough recovery but worth it to be able to use your own tissue. It is a 5 day hospital stay. Have you done any research on DIEP? I will not lie the first week was very hard, pain controlled by a pain pump initially and then pain meds. They get you up walking on day 2-3. It is challenging trying to get up out of bed when you have an abdomen incision from hip to hip. The turning point was around 3-4 week mark, this surgery takes a lot out if you. Each day it slowly got better. I had no complications. I am actually suppose to be having a revision to my right breast this spring, waiting for a surgery date.

    My surgery was suppose to be prophylatic due to my increased risk of reoccurance, I was diagnosed with a new primary breast cancer via the pathology from the surgery. The surgery saved my life as the bc was triple negative this time. I had to do chemo again, had 8 months off work and went back in August 2013 part time...full time end of September.

    Any other questions, please ask.

    Michele
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kcoco
    Kcoco Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2015

    thanks for your reply. Rough go for you and your family. My fa ily is small, just dad and I in Canada, mom passed away when I was 14 cervical cancer. I had her 2 bc surg, chemo, rad and herceptin for a year after. Things look and seem goodat present. clean margins at surg, no lymph nodes involved. Wont lie scary thogh, been to hell and back one year after divorce. Hope you are. free and clear now. Thanks for your response.

    Karen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kcoco
    Kcoco Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2015

    i had a c section many years ago and it felt like a transport truck was on me if I lied down, I opted to sleep in a chair that helped. For large lupectomy and mid sized breasts do you think that may be the treatment optio

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories