| Product: |
Cosmetic Surgery in General |
| Date: |
06/12/05 (1872 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: No more pain and the ability to be more active.
Disadvantages: Nipple detatchment.
I haven't always been a BIG girl, well not all over anyway, but I have always been BIG up top. I recall waking up one morning when I was about 13 and suddenly over night had grown two massive footballs on my chest...or that's what I remember...I don't remember having a pretty training bra like my mates but I do remember having something which resembled Boediciea's breast plate. (Not a good thing when you have a communal changing room.) I took a lot of stick for having more than my fair share of boob, but only from the girls. It seemed that overnight I had become very popular with the boys!
I don't remember a time when I didn't have big boobs. My nickname at work was 'Bristols' as in Bristol City---- T**** (Well, you can work that one out yourself!) but I always managed. Until...I had been out for a drink, well several drinks, and arrived home a little the worse for wear. Instead of taking off my bra in the usual manner, (Gentlemen don't read this) by holding each breast whilst slipping the bra off to be replaced by a sleep bra, I just whipped it off. It was at this point that an excruciating pain shot up my neck and into my head.... To cut this short...I managed to phone an ambulance and was admitted to hospital with a badly slipped disc in my neck.
The consultation
********************
I was told that the reason I had slipped a disc was because of the size of my breasts. Apparently, they were also causing curvature of the spin and an operation to reduce them was my only option. It was explained to me that I would come into hospital at the first available appointment and that they would take me to theatre and reduce my breasts from a... wait for it... 38FF to a manageable 38C.... BUT there were some things I should know first....
The operations is called reduction mammoplasty and comes under the banner of cosmetic surgery.
The operation would take around 4-5 hours.
The procedure is NOT risk free.
They would have to remove and reattach the nipples.
There may be some loss of feeling in the breast.
They would have to put drains into both breasts.
The main concern seemed to be the fact that: out of every five women who have this operation only three of them have a successful reattachment of the nipple.
I asked, " What happens if the nipple does not reattach?"
I was told, "It just drops off!"
I was not quite sure that I was ready to be 'nippleless'.
I was then told, " Well, unless you are having more children, they aren't really any use to you are they?"
They did have a point but it did worry me.
Admitting and pre-op
************************
After about 3 weeks I was called in for a pre-op check up. Everything was OK and I was told my operation would take place on the following Monday. Six days away!
You are asked to purchase a special bra that will support your breasts when the operation is complete. I got mine from Marks & Spencer's for £14.99 and the ladies there knew exactly what was needed as they get lots of breast op people in. I went into hospital on the Sunday afternoon.
The first person to see me was the anaesthetist who took my blood pressure, did my heart tracing and asked me all kinds of questions about my family history. He also asks if you have any false teeth, have you had any problems with anaesthetics, and what is your general health like. He than explained exactly what his role would be, what he was going to do and what would happen in recovery.
The next person to see me was my surgeons houseman who, more or less, asked me the same questions that the anaesthetist asked. The only difference being that he would come and see me first thing in the morning to draw on my breasts! (I know what you are thinking! Let's not get carried away shall we?) This is to tell the surgeon what your breasts are like, because when you lie down your breasts move to the side, I know this because thats what God made armpits for. So, that was something to look forward to. The drawing I mean.
I was first on the list..."Get the big girl out of the way first!"
The Operation
****************
The houseman turned up bright and early, but that wasn't a problem because they wake you up at 6.00am and tell you that you can't have a cup of tea because you are lined up for surgery. How kind of them.
A nurse pulled the curtains round and I was asked to strip to the waist. I took off my bra and remarked "Awful aren't they?" to which the doctor replied "They look super to me!" Gee, thanks. That's just what you want to hear when two thirds of them are going to lopped off and I may have to kiss my nipples goodbye. (Not literally!)
Once that was done...not unpleasant I might add.... I was presented with a hospital gown and a pair of white stretchy stockings, which, I was told, would stop me from getting a D.V.T. (pulmonary embolism). I put on the gown tabs at the back and was promptly told "The other way round. They aren't reducing your bum."… not a bad idea though!
Once I was dressed a nice man with a wheelchair came to take me to theatre. No hopping onto a trolley bed...Cutbacks I supposed....
When I reached theatre I was introduced to my surgeon, Mrs. Brain, and she asked me where I would like my nipples? On my breasts would be a good start. She explained that lots of women like high nipples I told her to put them where she thought best as long as they stayed there.
I hadn't realised that this was a distracting tactic because whilst I was talking to her the anaesthetist had put a needle in the back of my hand and was saying 'You're going to sleep now'. I don't remember anything else…
Back on the ward
********************
I do vaguely recall someone saying, "You are in recovery. Everything was a success." but not much else.
The first real memory after the operation was when a nurse said "Oh, hello. You're back. I'm just going to flick your nipples!" I know this was real because I felt the flick. I asked her why and she said that if they react it means the blood supply has been reattached properly and they would be fine. Happily, everything reacted the way it should. The next proper memory was a visit from my dishy houseman who explained everything that had gone on in theatre and asked me had I any questions. I only had one. Why do they take your nipple off? He explained that they make an incision round the underside of the breast and then up from the middle of the underside to the nipple. They then cut round the nipple and detach it from the blood supply and put it in a kidney dish. They then remove any excess tissue… (In my case 2 kilos!!!) …and trim the excess skin. Then they stitch up the underside, site the nipple and reattach it. The stitches are on the inside, so cannot be seen, but are a running stitch. The drains are put into place and are held with a small stitch that resembles a tacking stitch. You are then wrapped in a firm white sticking plaster and 'Job's a good 'un!' He didn't really say that last bit.
Recovery
***********
I stayed in hospital for 5 days altogether. I cannot say that it was very painful as it was more uncomfortable and the drains were a pain, if you pardon the pun, because the only place to keep them was in your knickers and when you went to the loo you would forget and remove your pants only for the bottle attached to the drain to fall out and pull the stitch...ouch! I have to say the worst part for me was the removal of the drain. If you remember, this was attached by a 'tacking stitch'. Well, whoever did mine should get a job with Regatta making hiking boots. The nurse had to apply quite a bit of force to release the drain, and it was painful, but she finally did it. The white plastic sticking plaster was removed and I was asked if I would like to see my breasts. I replied that I would and was told there would be some bruising but to be honest when I looked at them they really didn't seem that bad. There was swelling but the first thing I noticed was the fact that my nipple pointed upward. I had never seen this before. My nipples had always pointed down because of the weight of my breast. I was helped into my special bra, told to sleep sitting up for the next 6 weeks, given a little care booklet and sent on my way.
Convalescence
*****************
This took about 4 to 5 weeks and I was under the care of my own GP who could not wait to see what they were like. Definitely a breast man! The district nurse, Jane, called every other day or so to check my nipples and, of course, my breasts. This was for a week or so. I had no stitches to come out as they are all inside and just dissolve and I was very grateful for that fact as I hate having stitches removed. You are advised to wear your special bra for about 6 to 8 weeks and to make sure that you are completely healed before progressing onto other bras.
The Results
***************
Five years on and there is no real outward signs that anything has been done. The scarring is in the fold of my breast but is so slight that it is unnoticeable. There is a very slight white ring around my nipple but unless you get up very close and personal you are not going to see this. I must be one of the lucky ones because my nipples are more sensitive than they used to be and I still have feeling in both my breasts. My nipples react like they did before, only more so, and they do look bigger, but that's probably because the breasts are smaller. They look fabulous and there have been no complaints up to now...Quite the oposite.
This operation was done on the National Health Service and cost me nothing. It is a beautiful job and I am so delighted with my new boobs. I have done some asking around and have been told that you can get this operation done on the National Health but you, with the support of your GP, have to convince the surgeon that your breasts are detrimental to your health. I have been onto the Internet to check prices and I have found that the cost does vary
BUPA...£3.700 to £5.500
Capio...£4.800.
Landauer Cosmetic Surgery...£4.200 to £5.200
So, as always, shop around.
Would I recommend this surgery? Even with the downside of this operation I would definitely say YES, go for it! I never realised just how much pain I was in until it was taken away. And of course every woman, especially at my age when everything is moving south, would like to have fabulous breasts. But it's the quality of life that makes this operation worthwhile. I can jog, ride horses, even something as simple as picking up my grandchild, all these things and more. It has opened up a whole new lease on life...
I LOVE MY NEW BOOBS...
Summary: This operation would give me the quality of life that I longed for but not without some risks!!
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