Revision Melbourne help

[RevisionGirl 5]

Hi girls,

I’ve had some bad luck with my breast implants, I’ve had furries put in and am freaking out about the dangers of them.

I need to have a revision and have had consults with dr Rahdon and Mark Ashton.

I would love feedback as I’m feeling very comfortable with Mark Ashton. He suggested to go for Motiva smooth implants.

One thing which he informed me of is that as of November 1 Medicare is taking away the rebate on any breast revision. This means I would need to pay an extra 6k if I were to have the procedure after November 1.

Anyone else hear of this new law?

Would love feedback.

I don’t want to screw my breasts up ever again.

[Tori14 57]

As far as I know, the Medicare rebate is usually less than $1k so I don't see why it would increase by $6k without the rebate? Check out the schedule on the website, click next or previous to read about others with different details

http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=45553&qt=ItemID

[Mumma_S 40]

On 8/25/2018 at 9:26 AM, RevisionGirl said:

Hi girls,

I’ve had some bad luck with my breast implants, I’ve had furries put in and am freaking out about the dangers of them.

I need to have a revision and have had consults with dr Rahdon and Mark Ashton.

I would love feedback as I’m feeling very comfortable with Mark Ashton. He suggested to go for Motiva smooth implants.

One thing which he informed me of is that as of November 1 Medicare is taking away the rebate on any breast revision. This means I would need to pay an extra 6k if I were to have the procedure after November 1.

Anyone else hear of this new law?

Would love feedback.

I don’t want to screw my breasts up ever again.

Hi,

I can’t help you with advice on Mark but I do know that as of 1st November the Medicare item number rules are changing. I had approval for a lift under item 45558 and was booked for November 20. I received a letter advising that I had to have surgery prior to 31 October. When my PS rooms spoke to Medicare they advised that the rules around the item were changing and that you would no longer need approval from the Health Insurance Commitee, approval would be at the discrestion lf the PS however they would need to provide proof upon an audit.

As as far as saving the $6k goes, @Tori14 is correct in that the rebate is under $1,000 however the extra $5k savings is if you have private health. Because it is deemed a medical procedure, you health insurance covers the cost of hospital and implants.

Maybe ask marks rooms to further investigate the rule change because my PS’s rooms only new about the changes in the rules once they got in touch with Medicare. Initially they were just sent a letter stating all surgeries with item 45558 approval had to be performed by 31 October.

Hope this helps.

[RevisionGirl 5]

5 hours ago, Tori14 said:

As far as I know, the Medicare rebate is usually less than $1k so I don't see why it would increase by $6k without the rebate? Check out the schedule on the website, click next or previous to read about others with different details

http://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=item&q=45553&qt=ItemID

The 6k price difference is for the private hospital fees. He claimed that items 45554x2 will no longer be approved after oct 31. Hence the price difference jumping so high.

This has put me in a difficult situation as I was planning on having revision next year in March, now I have to come up with the funds much sooner.

I don’t understand, I have top private cover so I assumed hospital would always be covered for me. I’m so confused.

4 hours ago, Mumma_S said:

Hi,

I can’t help you with advice on Mark but I do know that as of 1st November the Medicare item number rules are changing. I had approval for a lift under item 45558 and was booked for November 20. I received a letter advising that I had to have surgery prior to 31 October. When my PS rooms spoke to Medicare they advised that the rules around the item were changing and that you would no longer need approval from the Health Insurance Commitee, approval would be at the discrestion lf the PS however they would need to provide proof upon an audit.

As as far as saving the $6k goes, @Tori14 is correct in that the rebate is under $1,000 however the extra $5k savings is if you have private health. Because it is deemed a medical procedure, you health insurance covers the cost of hospital and implants.

Maybe ask marks rooms to further investigate the rule change because my PS’s rooms only new about the changes in the rules once they got in touch with Medicare. Initially they were just sent a letter stating all surgeries with item 45558 approval had to be performed by 31 October.

Hope this helps.

Yes I’ve been quoted 45554x 2, plus anaesthetic fees. I’m so confused now, as I said before I didn’t plan on doing the surgery now, this has caused a lot of stress for me. I have top private cover too so I don’t understand why the hospital wouldn’t be covered automatically?

[Mumma_S 40]

22 minutes ago, RevisionGirl said:

The 6k price difference is for the private hospital fees. He claimed that items 45554x2 will no longer be approved after oct 31. Hence the price difference jumping so high.

This has put me in a difficult situation as I was planning on having revision next year in March, now I have to come up with the funds much sooner.

I don’t understand, I have top private cover so I assumed hospital would always be covered for me. I’m so confused.

Yes I’ve been quoted 45554x 2, plus anaesthetic fees. I’m so confused now, as I said before I didn’t plan on doing the surgery now, this has caused a lot of stress for me. I have top private cover too so I don’t understand why the hospital wouldn’t be covered automatically?

Without a Medicare item the surgery is considered cosmetic hence why private health doesn’t cover it. When you have a Medicare item number it’s a medical procedure and it is covered

[RevisionGirl 5]

@Mumma_S oh okay. I really have to look into this. So what was the whole "approval at discretion" you mentioned?

Ok girls, I'm now REALLY freaking out. This has made me have to make a decision really fast.

Like I said, I consulted with Dr Rahdon and Mark, I mean unless I want to spend 27K on revision with dr Tav (which is a no go), I've got to pick someone in Melbourne and time is ticking due to this new law. It's quite unfair as there are many of us out there who are forced to have a revision due to complications. This should be case by case for Medicare.

I don't know what to do now.

[LaurenT 755]

I guess with the large amount of women who have boob jobs (it’s very common these days) they are losing too much money from revisions. I guess we can thank budget boob factories, like TCI who were knows for producing some terrible results, for this ? it is very upsetting but on the other hand I can see where it’s coming from. It is extremely unfair if this affects breast cancer survivors or women with severe asymmetry as they didn’t really have an augmentation purely for cosmetic reasons.

[Tori14 57]

@LaurenT are you aware of the item number for asymmetry also being discontinued as well as revisions? I am having my augmentation due to signicant asymmetry (I have one boob size A and one size C/D!) but my doctor hasn't contacted me about the item number being cancelled and I'm booked after November! Might contact them and check :S I guess it won't matter as much for me as I don't have private health so I was forking out most of the cost myself anyway!

[RevisionGirl 5]

10 minutes ago, Tori14 said:

@LaurenT are you aware of the item number for asymmetry also being discontinued as well as revisions? I am having my augmentation due to signicant asymmetry (I have one boob size A and one size C/D!) but my doctor hasn't contacted me about the item number being cancelled and I'm booked after November! Might contact them and check :S I guess it won't matter as much for me as I don't have private health so I was forking out most of the cost myself anyway!

Ashton said it was only the other week, and the reason he knew about it before anyone else is that he is on the board. It's all revision according to him.... I've got a wonky left breast which is causing me pain. It's ridiculous, plus they are furry implants so health factor to top it off.

[LaurenT 755]

I believe just revision. But if a woman had an initial BA due to asymmetry and required revision, that would not get an item number from what I can understand.

[Tori14 57]

@RevisionGirl I can see how this puts you in a really sticky situation financially!! Makes no sense why if you are paying top cover then these things wouldn't be covered at least case by case I've just been using the online chat with a health insurer to find out more about it (was considering whether it would be worth getting health insurance prior to surgery but because it's a preexisting condition I would have a 12 month wait period) but what the chat person was saying was that they only cover procedures that are considered 'medically necessary', and the way they determine this is if there is a Medicare benefit item number attached to it. So, no item number, not considered medically necessary - even though you pay top cover and you clearly have health concerns re: furry implants and pain, they aren't seeing it that way should definitely be case by case I agree! May be worth contacting your private health provider directly to clarify? Such a tough situation though, either you make a quick decision and somehow come up with the funds before November and save $6k or have to wait much longer because of having to save an additional $6k after the item number gets discontinued i hope you get some good advice re: who to pick, I'm a brissy girl so can't help there unfortunately!

[RevisionGirl 5]

@Tori14 I agree. Although for myself the entire left pocket is stuffed, I have a constant ache, it's like having a bra wire digging into you the entire time. The implant never settled back, I can almost place my finger under my implant up the top (if that makes sense), so it's a whole big mess.

I know that in the past I could have had this fixed easily, I just wanted to make sure I did my research well this time. Again, Mark seemed fantastic, but I want to be 100% certain that he can achieve a realistic look too, not too high profile, fake, I want them to look natural still. I am sick of seeing the implant outline - plus my implant was placed over the muscle. He suggested dual pane motiva rounds. I have a small frame too. I failed to mention that I have rippling on the left breast too.

Like I said big fat mess and now I have to decide on a surgeon quickly.

[Tori14 57]

@RevisionGirl have you seen any of his before and after photos for revisions similar to your own? That could help you feel more confident in choosing him. For my own issue with asymmetry, I looked mainly at surgeon's experiences with the same issue and what I saw they had achieved in the past for patients like me before making my decision.

From what you are saying, under the muscle definitely sounds like a good plan to reduce chance of capsular contracture and eliminates issue with seeing edge of implant at the top or rippling, so his plan sounds pretty good did he mention if there would be issues with changing implant pocket in this regard? You could ask him for specific examples of previous cases where he has done this before?

I have a pretty small frame and I am also going rounds under muscle - I was initially concerned these would not look as natural but when placed under the muscle they flatten out at the top as long as you don't go too big! and then you also don't have the added concern of any issues with implant rotation in the future.

Overall I would say if you are feeling confident with Mark as a surgeon then that is a great but if you are feeling rushed and not ready then maybe have a further consultation with him to ask all your questions and ease your mind?

[RevisionGirl 5]

@Tori14 he did show me photo's and they looked great. I'm just wanting to make the best decision this time round, probably since I was so damaged from my last surgery and outcome, I am also financially conscious about it all too.

Pocket question you raised is a good one - I will ask him that. At the moment I have the furry teardrops in there.

Think I will call and ask questions. Thanks for all this.

[TheFox 101]

I have always been well cared for and supported by Mark Ashton. Highly recommend him and in my opinion he is a very highly skilled surgeon and very nice person.
I am very happy with my experiences with Mark and wouldnt hesitate to recommend him for surgery to anyone and everyone.
My best friend had very difficult tuberous breasts which he masterfully corrected and years down the track, the still look sensational.
Mark performed breast augmentation on my older sister who has recently had another child and has been able to breastfeed with no issues.

For me, I had complications with my implants (not to do with Marks skill) and he did a fantastic job on my removal. Somehow, almost one year on, he managed to get my breasts looking better post explant then they did before I had breast augmentation surgery.