NO Hungi for this Tongueeeeeeeeeee

[Dot]

$48-$52 000

Keep going but getting closer

[jon_d]

2 cutters: $5k each
gas: $2

ICU $4k aday

ward $2k aday

hospital OT: $4k

support: $4k

stuff: $5k

more stuff $10k

$65k

[Dot]

This is just the hospital
Total hosp accommodation $36,893.00
ICU x 5 day = $14,275.00
Pradd ??? = $200.00 (consult with pathology oncologist)
Prosthesis x 3 = $2,378.00
Total Just for hospital
------------------------------------------------------------
$53,746.00
-------------------------------------------------------------

4 surgeons in total
No gap for the assisting ones (there was 3 assisting) But I paid a gap for the #2 surgeon for first consult) $45.00
So far no account from the big boss surgeon. But I paid gap for first consult $85.00
Gas man $2k but gap for me was $200.00
XR in theatre gap of $20
Out of pocket for me so far $350 and worth every cent for being able to have this op done as soon as I did. The waiting time on emergency waiting list was 3-6 mths if lucky.

[dream4red]

Sometimes I wonder what they do with all that money. Really, where else do you get paid such large amounts for half a days work? I know that you are needing to have the best surgeon and one who has a lot of specialised skills. But that amount of money is just not reasonable.
Dot, you are worth every penny of it and the expectation that a public patient would have to wait for that sort of op is obscene.
So glad that you were able to get all this out of the way and now you can start to get your life back on track.

[T1 Terry]

Sometimes I wonder what they do with all that money. Really, where else do you get paid such large amounts for half a days work? I know that you are needing to have the best surgeon and one who has a lot of specialised skills. But that amount of money is just not reasonable.
Dot, you are worth every penny of it and the expectation that a public patient would have to wait for that sort of op is obscene.
So glad that you were able to get all this out of the way and now you can start to get your life back on track.

The reasons are two fold, because they can demand that much money because there is no competition and because without the lure of mind boggling $$ who would put themselves through that much specialist training and continual updating to stay at the fore-front of these procedures.

[Macca]

As far as I am concerned the top surgeons, who study all the time, here & overseas, deserve all they get! yes, it is big bickies but if you can afford private health all well & good.
No, it is not fair that public patients have to wait sooooo long for elective surgery but in emergencies they are "usually" pushed up the line. Always ask the surgeon for a discount or no gap please. When Bruce had to have his eyelids lifted ( not just a nip n tuck) because they were obscuring his vision I asked the Plastic surgeon on first consultation abut no gap & he did not hesitate in saying yes. I realize not as drastic as Dot's by any means but it pays to ask.
You will not often find a Gastroenterologist, or any surgeon for that matter, who when asked about no gap says yes. His comment was that he bulk bills Everyone as he does not need any more than what he charges!
Just my thoughts .

[jon_d]

Who's arguing when they have cut your neck open, rolled your head off to the side, pulled the tongue out though the cut,

sliced and diced, stiched some arm and leg to it. All this while someone else is filling you up with gas to 1. keep you a sleep, but 2. keep you breathing.

And then a week later you're home and talking.

Plus, don't forget, they have probably spent a some good hours building the plan to approach the operation too


ICU has huge costs; machines - purchase, maintenance and calibration, record keeping, processes, sterilisation, 24 x7 nursing and access to immediate support.


I'd prefer to pay a health professional than a banker. Money well spent, I'd say.

[Dot]

Today I went to see the surgeon that assisted the main man (whom is over seas learning more) what a dag he turned out to be he first asked if I remembered him yes I replied you are one of the 4 dwarfs that were dressed up waiting in the naughty corner for me to go to sleep. Of course I had no idea who he was I told him I was disappointed with my new tongue because I had ordered a giraffe's tongue and got an arm instead. He thought that was funny and said if I am still unhappy with my new tongue in 12 mths he will see if they can get a tongue that I requested. With that he wanted to look at their handy work and he was very pleased. He said I can eat what ever I felt ok with, the swelling is still there but will gradually go down, speech shall improve in time, I need follow ups every 3 or 6 mths for the rest of my natural. That visit cost me $0 but it was a post op consult. When I first was sent to this man I was told that if I went on the public list the time was against me re the spread of the cancer and of course there are others worse than me. We have been in private health for yrs and yes we have thought of chucking it in but as most of you know my medical history there is NO way we would be without it. Pref to not go out or buy presents, fancy phones etc if that means having the security of who and what I want when I want it. Oh yeah today was also the unveiling of my totally closed over hole............... IN MY NECK One happy chappie is I

[jon_d]

Fantastic news Dot.

Yes, health insurance is one of those things that if you can afford it; it's a great thing to have.

I think we're still about $100k in front over 2 major events. The real thing is you save on the wait and a sort of guarantee to bypass the 'queue' ie waiting time. (That's really what you're buying)

[Dot]

Plus you don't get practiced on