Testimonial - Breast Uplift

Before the Op

I was really unhappy with the way I looked and decided to lose weight – around 4 stone to be exact. So I thought that would make me feel better about myself. That wasn’t the case. Due to the weight loss, my breasts had become very saggy with no volume. It was difficult to wear bras as they would fall out constantly – even in one that I had had fitted. The more I looked at them, the worse they seemed to get. It was all I could think about. This is where I decided upon surgery. It was the only option for me as I couldn’t live with them anymore.

Deciding on the surgeon was easy as I had visited Mr Sood on a previous occasion for a separate operation. So, I went along to a consultation. I was happy to let him examine me as it was something that I knew had to be done. There was an element in my mind that thought ‘what if he doesn’t see a problem?’ I knew that if this was the case he would have advised against it. He’s not one to put someone through unnecessary surgery and pain. To my relief, he agreed that something should be done so we went ahead and booked the operation for February 09. Mr Sood explained the procedure in great detail and covered all the potential risks, also showing examples of previous patients so I could understand more what I was letting myself into.

As the operation drew closer, I was a little nervous, but that is to be expected. I knew I wouldn’t be happy if I cancelled.

The day of the operation

The morning came where I was to go to the Hartswood for my surgery. Surprisingly, I was pretty calm. I arrived at the hospital for 7am and was shown to my room. While waiting I was visited my Mr Sood who got me to sign the consent form and marked me up for the surgery. He put me as ease by not actually discussing the imminent surgery, but something completely different. Once all the marks were in place, I was left to wait to be taken down to surgery. At around 11.30am, I was wheeled to the theatre and put under… ‘It’s all over’, I think to myself as I wake up in recovery. I couldn’t believe it was over. I looked at the clock and it was around 2pm. Once the nurse made sure I was ok, I was taken back to my room. There was no pain as I was given pain killers but I knew my breasts felt different.

Over the next 24 hours, there were moments of pain. Not unbearable, but noticeable. A bit like a graze. This was kept under control by pain killers although I didn’t need to take them for that long. Mr Sood visited me that evening to tell me that everything went well and he was very pleased with the end result. I couldn’t wait to see them now!

The day after the operation

After a reasonably good night’s sleep considering I had just had surgery, I woke to Breakfast in the hospital. I was still in a bit of discomfort, but it was manageable with pain killers – mainly paracetamol. 

Before I was discharged, I was told to have a shower, of which I was assisted by the nurse on duty. This was the first time I had seen my breasts. As I looked in the mirror in the bathroom, I was a bit shocked. The first thing I noticed was how red, sore and bruised they were. ‘What have I done?’ I thought to myself. I had to remind myself how they were before to see just how wonderful they actually were beneath all the redness.

After my shower, my dressings were put on. There were a lot to cover all the separate cuts but better to be safe than sorry. I was then put into a corset-type bandage that I must admit was not the most comfortable thing in the world but it was there to help keep everything in place. Once I was all bandaged up, I got myself dressed with little assistance and was escorted out to the car park.

1 week after the operation

This was the toughest week. I was off work and laid up for most of the day. By the end of the week, however, I was off most of the pain relief, just taking the odd paracetamol to ease discomfort. I did keep thinking, every time I saw them, ‘what have I done? What if they go wrong?’ So many ‘What if’s?’. I wasn’t allowed to have a shower, so my mother helped me wash my hair in the bath, coving my breasts with a bin liner!

At the end of the week, I was back at the hospital to have some of my stitches removed – By Mr Sood no less – he just had to make sure everything was up to his high standards. Although they are dissolvable, the knots at the end needed to be cut off so there wasn’t really much pain until we got to a stubborn bit. Once removed, dressings were placed on the cuts – slightly fewer this time – and no corset! That was the best bit! I was now able to wear a sports bra – much more comfortable.

2 weeks after the operation.

Things are a lot easier now and I’m back at work. I’d arranged to travel in after the rush hour and go home before just to be safe as I didn’t want to be knocked. It was so nice to speak to people again! Daytime TV is not what it used to be. There was almost no pain now – just the odd tinge and most of the redness had subsided so I could get a better idea of the end result – my breasts were amazing! Mr Sood had said that they are going to get a great deal better – well, I can’t wait to see them at the end!

Again, at the end of the week, I return to the hospital for a check up and everything is going well. Kathy (Mr Sood’s nurse) checks me over and changes the dressings (even less now) and sends me on my way for another week.

3 weeks after the operation

Hardly any pain, swelling or bruising. My breasts are looking fantastic! Obviously the cuts are still red but they are healing really well. I’m so happy I went ahead with it. All of the initial ‘What if’s?’ have faded away. I’m pretty much back to normal – although still wearing the good old sports bra. I’m able to shower now which is such a relief and changing the dressings is very easy to do. Just the check up at the end of the week again – all fine and even less dressings are put on – just over a couple of the joins and only on one breast. Kathy also talks me through how to now massage the scars in order to make them less noticeable in the long run, and also to smooth out the puckering. In all honestly, the scars are quite thin already. Mr Sood’s needlework is fantastic!
 
 
1 month after the operation

They just keep getting better and better! I had to start massaging the scars on one of the breasts today – they felt strange to the touch but I got used to it. I can’t start the other yet as there is still a bit of dressing on that one – which should be off in a couple of days. The harder you massage the better apparently, so I did. Not too hard – but hard enough so that it didn’t hurt. I’ve got to do this at least twice a day (3 is optimum but at work it’s a bit tricky to do!) for months to ensure the best possible result. To be honest, I’m still so amazed by them that I don’t mind staring at them 2 times a day!

It is defiantly one of the best decisions I have ever made and I would recommend it to anyone who is in the same or similar situation. Mr Sood is a fantastic surgeon who always strives for perfection and has a genuine care for his patients. He will make sure that you are entirely happy before going ahead with the procedure, and make sure you understand all the positives and possible negatives of the surgery. I would recommend him to anyone thinking about undergoing this surgery.

I just can’t wait to see the end result!