Breast Cancer Surgery Gold Coast

Surgery planned around your diagnosis, with the same surgeon from your first visit to follow-up.

Breast cancer surgery on the Gold Coast is planned around your own diagnosis, and Dr John Gault performs it at Pindara Private Hospital in Benowa, with consultations at Suite 11, Pindara Place. The size and position of the cancer, your imaging and biopsy results, lymph node findings, breast size, general health and your own preferences can all shape the operation. Some people can keep the breast, while others may need a mastectomy. Either way, you see the same surgeon from your first consultation through to follow-up.

If your GP has just handed you a referral, this page explains the main options, how they compare, and what usually happens next. Every operation carries risks, which are set out under Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery.

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Phone: (07) 5539 3999

Pindara Private Hospital

Benowa, Gold Coast

BreastSurgANZ member

Since its inception in 2010

On the Gold Coast

Private practice since 2011

One surgeon

From first visit to follow-up

Every diagnosis is different, but most people move through the same broad stages. Knowing them in advance can make the weeks ahead feel more manageable.

1. 1
   

   Referral and records

   Your GP sends a referral, and your imaging, biopsy results and health information are gathered so the diagnosis and your first questions are clear.

2. 2
   

   First consultation

   Dr Gault reviews your results, examines you and talks through the proposed operation, the alternatives, lymph node assessment, reconstruction or referral needs, the risks and the likely recovery.

3. 3
   

   Treatment planning

   Your plan may be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting, linking surgery with radiotherapy, other treatments and recovery. Some people have treatment before surgery.

4. 4
   

   Surgery at Pindara Private Hospital

   Your operation takes place at Pindara Private Hospital in Benowa. How long you stay depends on the type of surgery. All surgery carries risks, which are listed under Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery.

5. 5
   

   Pathology review

   The tissue removed is checked by a pathologist. The results show whether the margins are clear and help decide what treatment comes next.

6. 6
   

   Further treatment and follow-up

   Radiotherapy or other treatment is organised if needed, and you continue seeing Dr Gault for follow-up and survivorship care.

There are two main types of breast cancer surgery: breast conserving surgery, which removes part of the breast, and mastectomy, which removes the whole breast. Which one is recommended depends on the type and stage of the cancer, where it sits, the size of your breast, and what you prefer. Treatment before surgery, such as chemotherapy or hormone therapy, is sometimes given first and can occasionally make keeping the breast possible. These treatments have their own side effects, which your treatment team will explain.

Dr Gault will talk you through why a particular approach may suit your situation, and you are welcome to seek a second opinion before deciding. Every operation carries risks, which are set out under Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery.

At a glance	Breast conserving surgery (lumpectomy)	Mastectomy
What is removed	The cancer with a margin of healthy tissue around it	The whole breast. Skin-sparing or nipple-sparing approaches are sometimes possible
Radiotherapy afterwards	Almost always recommended for early breast cancer	Not usually needed, although it may be offered in some situations
Survival in most early breast cancers	For most women with early breast cancer, breast conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is as effective as mastectomy for survival (Cancer Australia)
Typical hospital stay	Same day or overnight	One to two nights, and several days if reconstruction is done at the same time
The breast afterwards	The breast is kept. Its size and shape may change, and reshaping is sometimes possible	Reconstruction (immediate or delayed), going flat, or wearing a breast prosthesis
Further surgery	May be suggested if cancer cells are found at or close to the edge of the tissue removed	Possible, as with any operation
Main risks	Infection, bleeding, seroma, numbness, scarring and changes to shape. See the full list under Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery

When a larger area of tissue needs to be removed, the remaining breast can sometimes be reshaped during the same operation. This is a breast reshaping approach performed at the time of cancer surgery. Whether it suits you depends on the cancer, your breast size and your general health.

Reshaping has its own risks, including infection, bleeding, changes in sensation and the possibility of further surgery. Results vary from person to person. See Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery.

Dr Gault has been a member of Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (BreastSurgANZ) since its inception in 2010, and has met the BreastSurgANZ training requirements to perform breast reshaping and reconstructive techniques.

Cancer cells that spread from the breast usually reach the lymph nodes in and around the armpit first, so these are often checked during the same operation. If the first nodes are clear, no more nodes are removed. If cancer is found, more nodes may be removed, or radiotherapy may be used instead.

At a glance	Sentinel node biopsy	Axillary lymph node dissection
Nodes removed	Only the first node or nodes in the chain	More nodes from the armpit
Purpose	To check whether cancer has reached the lymph nodes	To remove nodes when cancer has been found in them
Side effects	Arm and shoulder stiffness, numbness, seroma and lymphoedema can occur	The same side effects are usually worse, because more nodes are removed

Breast reconstruction recreates a breast shape using an implant, your own tissue, or both, either at the time of the mastectomy or later. Some women decide not to have a reconstruction and choose to go flat or wear a breast prosthesis. All of these are valid choices.

Option	What it involves	How it is arranged	Points to consider
Implant or tissue expander	An implant, sometimes after a temporary expander, recreates the breast shape	Discussed with Dr Gault	Implant complications can sometimes mean the implant needs to be removed and replaced, which is more common if you have had, or will need, radiotherapy
Your own tissue (flap)	Tissue from another part of your body is used to recreate the breast	Through referral to a plastic surgeon	The plastic surgeon explains the recovery and risks of this approach. General surgical risks are listed under Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery
Going flat or a prosthesis	No reconstruction. Some women wear a breast prosthesis	Your choice, discussed at consultation	Reconstruction can sometimes be considered later if you change your mind

If you might want a reconstruction, it is worth raising it before your mastectomy so the operation can be planned with that in mind. Every type of reconstruction carries risks, which are covered under Risks of Breast Cancer Surgery. Read more about breast reconstruction at Gault Surgery.

All surgery carries risk. Depending on the operation and your health, the side effects of breast cancer surgery can include:

Body image and wellbeing

Scarring, Body Image, and Concerns About Appearance

Concerns about breast shape, scars, symmetry and body image are a normal part of breast cancer care. How your breast looks after surgery depends on the type of operation, how much tissue is removed, your breast size and your body shape.

Ask what can be predicted before surgery and what may only become clear after healing. Results vary from person to person, and scarring and changes to shape are among the risks of breast cancer surgery. If changes to your body are affecting how you feel, Cancer Council can link you with peer support on 13 11 20.

Private surgery costs can include several separate providers, and what you pay depends on the operation and your level of cover. The Australian Government's Medical Costs Finder shows typical fees and out-of-pocket costs for private procedures.

Part of the cost	What to ask
Surgeon	Ask the rooms for written fee information, including the Medicare rebate, the gap, and anything not included
Anaesthetist	The anaesthetist bills separately. Ask for their fee and gap in writing
Hospital	Check your excess and what your level of cover includes at Pindara Private Hospital
Other providers	Ask which other providers may be involved in your care and whether they will charge a gap
Your health fund	Check your cover, and whether no-gap or known-gap arrangements apply

Seeing Dr Gault privately does not change your place on a public hospital waiting list.

Your questions answered

Frequently Asked Questions

Which operation will I need?

That depends on your diagnosis, your breast size and your preferences. Many people with early breast cancer can choose between breast conserving surgery and a mastectomy, and Dr Gault will explain the options and their risks at your consultation.

Is breast conserving surgery as effective as a mastectomy?

For most women with early breast cancer, Cancer Australia states that breast conserving surgery followed by radiotherapy is as effective as mastectomy for survival. Whether it suits you depends on your diagnosis, and both operations carry risks.

Can reconstruction be done at the same time as a mastectomy?

Sometimes. Reconstruction can be immediate or delayed, and if you might want one later, it is worth raising before your mastectomy so the operation can be planned with that in mind. Reconstruction has its own risks.

Will I need radiotherapy after surgery?

Radiotherapy is almost always recommended after breast conserving surgery for early breast cancer. It is not usually needed after a mastectomy, although it may be offered in some situations. Radiotherapy has its own side effects, which your radiation oncologist will explain.

How long will I stay in hospital?

It depends on the operation. Cancer Council notes it is usually the same day or overnight after breast conserving surgery, one to two nights after a mastectomy, and several days after a reconstruction.

Do I need a referral?

A referral from your GP or another medical practitioner is needed to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation.

Does seeing Dr Gault privately affect my public hospital waiting list place?

Seeing Dr Gault privately does not change your place on a public hospital waiting list. If you are a public patient, your GP can refer you into the public system directly.

Does Dr Gault also treat melanoma?

Yes. Dr Gault performs melanoma surgery, as well as thyroid and general surgery, so patients with more than one surgical concern can see the same surgeon. As with any operation, these procedures carry risks, which Dr Gault will discuss with you.

Where does Dr Gault operate?

Dr Gault operates at Pindara Private Hospital in Benowa and consults at Suite 11, Pindara Place, 13 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4217.

Take the next step

Start With the Questions That Matter to You

You do not need to arrive at a breast cancer surgery consultation knowing the right procedure. Bring your information and your questions, and use the appointment to work through what is known, what still needs checking and what comes next.

Sources and further reading

• Cancer Australia: breast cancer in Australia statistics
• Cancer Australia: The Statement, breast conserving surgery
• Cancer Council: surgery for breast cancer
• Cancer Council: guide to cancer care for breast cancer
• healthdirect: breast reconstruction with an implant or tissue expander
• Australian Government: Medical Costs Finder

Gault Surgery, Suite 11, Pindara Place, 13 Carrara Street, Benowa QLD 4217. This page is general information only and does not replace individual medical advice from Dr Gault. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.