DIEP reconstruction cost

Life after a breast cancer diagnosis Recovering from treatment
1

Hi everyone,

I’ve been looking into reconstruction options since my initial diagnose in October 2018, and the surgery and treatment which followed.

I’ve researched the possible procedures and have decided to have a DIEP procedure. I’ve found an amazing surgeon and, once his clinics are up and running again, I will start the counselling sessions and patient groups. All of this will take time, which I fully appreciate, but I’ve struggled with two years of a prosthetic and have been told to expect my surgery in 2 years’ time because the wait list is so long. I feel really low. The last 2 years have been very long and very hard, and I’m now trying to get my life back together. Up to a year wouldn’t have been too bad, especially with all the prep I need, but to face another 2 years with no confidence, feeling unable to choose nice clothes, avoiding swimming at all costs etc, is so disappointing.

I’m wondering about the cost of the procedure if I go privately, in order to reduce the wait time. I don’t have private insurance, so it would be self-pay. It may be totally unaffordable, but I just wanted to consider it first. My breast care nurse told me it was “prohibitively expensive” but didn’t actually qualify that with a price range.

Has anyone had the procedure privately to be able to give me a rough idea of the cost?

2

Hi Helen,  I didn’t have reconstruction but I think you can google private hospitals in your area or anywhere in fact and generally they can give you prices of procedures on a self pay basis.  You don’t have to commit yourself to anything.  BuPA do packages which include the operation, anaesthetic and recovery in hospital.  I was offered DIEP but didn’t want it because I was self employed at the time and couldn’t afford to take the necessary time off work to recover.  Good luck with it xx