Breast lift surgery

[meandollie]

Right so, I'm contemplating it at the moment. Terribly unhappy with current norkage, have always had biguns (was DDcup at 10, and am now a H!) so am used to them not being pert and upright iyswim. But since having ds my confidence has gone on holiday, they're not good at all.

Anybody had it done? Any info/experiences/clinic recomendations etc would be grand. Speaking of grand...how much? As I understand it, for a reputable clinic it's around the £4/5,000 mark?

I am young, 22 but don't want to have anymore babies, want to adopt any further children (not one for over-multiplying when there's lots of children desperate for families, but that's a whole other thread...). Also, will not be going ahead with it for a good few years to ensure that I'm not deluding myself! So please, no posts trying to convince me out of it, I'm not one of those silly girls that don't think things through.

watching with interest as 32g's swing around my knees

me too, 38G sorry, no advice except to say why the hell not - I would be doing it if I had the money!

they'll keep getting bigger as you get older too.

meandollie - go to your GP and ask for a referral to a private clinic. It's the best way to find a surgeon. I haven't had my boobs done but am about to have tummy tuck and have done the same thing.

No advice I am afraid but I am 24 (first time I've written that, just had to change it!) and thinking of the same. I am a GG now and they are abit sorry looking, so once this baby stops breastfeeding and I have got to the weight I want I will get them done as they will look very odd when they aren't at least propped up by my tummy! I scanned a few sites and saw prices around 6k. I do want more children but I have weighed up my deseprate unhappiness with them against the possibility of losing the ability to lactate and I want to take the risk. I think children or no children they are likely to need re-doing like implants probably every 5/10 years or something.

Watching with interest.

I'm a 32H usually and rocket up to a 34J whilst pregnant/breastfeeding.

Have always hated my boobs and been jealous of friends who DON'T NEED TO WEAR A BRA 24 hours a day.

I spent my breast-reduction savings on getting my teeth straightened (money well spent!) as I had lost weight and thought I could live with them - but having kids has changed all that.

Would be lovely to hear from someone who has had it done...?

newmomma - did you have them straightened with braces? If so, can you tell me abit about your experience? I have an orthodontic appointment in June and am interested to hear your experience

First port of call must be your GP who will be able to recommend someone local to you whose work your GP will be familiar with.

I've had my boobs reduce. I don't know how much the reduction op cost as I had my arms done at the same time. Lost lots of weight quickly so wanted the loose skin on my arms removed. I think it was around £9000.00 for the arms and boobs together and that included a two night stay in hospital. Also included is the option to have the work reviewed within a year of the op. I had to go back as the breast tissue dropped. I had read about this before going for a consultation and my surgeon told me that occassionally this can happen so I was aware of the risk. I was just unlucky.

If you're in the South East then I can recommend Mr Brent Tanner. Do talk to your GP first though and ask the GP if he knows of him. He did my stomach aswell (Pic on profile) and he did a brilliant job.

tulpe

I had the braces on for 18 months I think - I was grinding seriously as they didn't fit together well and was slowly losing teeth/causing migraines.

I had four teeth removed (and wisdoms) which was the worst part tbh.

I had gold ones (traintracks) on the bottom and ceramic on the top.

I loved them and missed them for a year when they came off! But my teeth are AMAZING and I always used to be quite shy about smiling in pics - not any more.

They were uncomfortable for a few days everytime they were tightened but nothing ibuprofen wouldn't solve - and eating weetabix for a while!

I paid approx £3300 ish from memory - interest free! and that included all after care.

I wore a top retainer for 6 months afterwards 24hours a day which I did hate as I struggled to talk properly but it flew by and then only had to wear it at night.
I now wear plastic rugby-guard-like retainers at night as occasionally I still grind if stressed and it stops me. Plus I'm so happy with my teeth I wouldn't want them to slip back.

Oh, and I have bonded retainers on the top and bottom 4 teeth. Tiny strip of wire attached permanently which i noticed for about three days but can't even feel them now. Not all orthodontists use them though but it stops the likelihood of 'slipping' which is much more likely in adults.

Hope thats what you were after - let me know if you have any more specific questions.

Best thing I ever did (apart from darling DC's!). Honestly.

Sorry for hijacking!

Tulpe good luck with the tummy tuck! Would love one but have weight to loose and not enough money for everything

Amandoh Thanks for the recommendation, I am in the South East

Thanks for replies, shamefully enough I hadn't thought of getting referred through GP! so thanks!
No MNers had a breast lift then? Would be great to hear someone's experience of it...

Thanks NewMomma for info on teeth That was exactly what I wanted to know

Meandollie ~ My breast were lifted when they were reduced. Nipples cut off then a vertical cut from where the nipple was down to the bottom of the breast and then another cut along the bottom of the breast.

I now have thin scarring around the nipples and an anchor shaped scar underneath. But, two years later and you have to look pretty hard to see them.

Hope this helps. Any other questions just ask away.

Breasts plural*

Oh great thanks! That is really cool, better than I was expecting scar wise then
How about the pain afterwards? How long until they were dressing free and in a normal bra?

I had to wear a tubigrip type thing for just over a week across the boobs and the stitiches were in for about 10 days. Most of them were dissolvable but a couple had to be snipped off. I was back in underwired bras once the scars lost their pinkness. Before that I just wore soft bras at night and sports bras for support during the day.

I didn't have any pain at all. I'd watched the cosmetic surgery programmes on the Home and Health channel and Living TV so was a bit worried I'd be in agony as some of the women featured in the programmes groaned and complained quite a bit but I was fine.

I was given strong anti-biotics and painkillers and told that if I did feel any pain then to let them know and I could have something else but I didn't feel a thing.

The only time I was in any pain was when the drains were removed. I had five drains in when I had my stomach done and three when I had my arms and breasts done. They're long hollow tubes that drain away blood and other fluids which are connected to bottles and you have them in for a couple of days. The pulling out of the hollow tubes is a peculiar painful feeling but each one is out in seconds so it doesn't last.

Amandoh - so pleased to hear a cosmetic success story, think the surgeon and the hospital are very important which is why I would never go aboard. Which hospital did you go to by the way? I am also in SE and thinking of are op.

Amandoh - thanks for sharing your experiences. My surgeon tells me my tummy should feel like I've overdone it at the gym rather than pain per se. Would you agree?

Also thanks for the heads up on the drains. If I know to expect discomfort then I can breathe through it and not get flustered!

Can I hijack further and ask you what your recovery time was like post tummy tuck? Did you have a full or mini tuck?

Gailforce - I had my operations in The Spire (Formerly Bupa) in Tunbridge Wells. Which cosmetic procedure are you considering?

Tulpe - I honestly didn't have any pain at all. Not even slight discomfort. I had a full tummy tuck and was cut from behind each hip and then again from just under my boobs down to the pubic line. If you look at my after photos on my profile, which were taken about six months after the operation, you can just see the scar that runs down the centre of my ribs down to the bikini line. The scar is an anchor shape but has faded brilliantly and you really have to look to see it.

I was in hospital for three nights as my tummy tuck was major surgery and I had lots of stitches. I was up and about the day after the op though and the physio actually asked me to slow down. I had to wear a wide compression bandage 24hrs a day for about a week and then just while I was upright for another week. I think the worst part was having to sleep propped up in a sitting position for a fortnight. DP kindly went out and bought some non-slip foam wedges to put under a pillow which made me more comfortable.

I wasn't allowed to lift anything heavy for about six weeks but I didn't mind not having to help carry the shopping bags

When are you having your tummy tuck?

Amandoh, I'm also considering a tummy tuck becuase of ghastly damage done by ds1 and ds2 to said tummy- would you definitely recommend the Spire? As I am v confused by all the different adverts and there seems nowhere to compare the hospitals...

Allegrageller - I'd certainly recommend Mr Tanner the surgeon that performed all of my operations at The Spire but I do think it's important to talk to your GP too. They will have seen the work of local surgeons so would know which surgeon would suit your needs best.

I definitely would not recommend going to one of the clinics that advertise on tv or in the back of the glossies. Their clinics may have been running for 15 years plus but their surgeons come and go.

yes Amandoh, thought so.

Didn't realise GPs got involved in such things.

i have a lot of embarrassment about it- like I'm being shallow- but it has really dented my confidence. Kind of want my tits lifted too kids ruined them for sure...

Hi.I worked as a nurse on a breast ward for years.You can get breast reduction on the NHS,but they have to remove a certain amount of weight for it to be NHS.I have megaboobs too,34H,and have always wanted a reduction,but the surgeons advised against it unless you definitely do not want more kids.It is not just the breastfeeding,your boobs get much bigger when pregnant,and so the op would be pointless,you would need them done again! I will get mine done,and lifted,just need to be sure no DC3! Recovery is usually quick,never saw any problems.

Allegra - If you're seriously thinking about having your boobs done too then consider having both the ops done together. You'll save money as you'll only have to pay for the anaesthetist once and for one hospital stay. Also, if the recommended recovery time for each op is about six weeks then you'll only be out of action for this period once.

Please don't feel embarrassed about wanting to do something about your stomach/boobs. If you feel self conscious and unhappy on a day to day basis then wanting to change things is not shallow.

I had heart failure and subsequent vital organ failure at 19 when I had my first son and the kidney failure really took its toll on my body. I quickly filled with fluid then very quickly lost it again. My stomach was a mess from the pregnacy then the immediate ballooning and deflating caused by the kidney failure. Add to this another two full term pregnancies and then losing 76lbs and you can imagine how bad the skin on my tummy looked.

I had never taken my children swimming because I couldn't bear for anyone to see my stomach and I hid away in Summer as I couldn't wear all the little tops and dresses that everyone else could. My two older boys really missed out on doing normal family things because I just wanted to hide away. With hindsight I wish I'd done something about my stomach sooner and I definitely don't feel shallow.

THanks Amandoh. I'm having a full TT too on 15 June, all being well (ie all childcare in place etc). My surgeon is using a technique where they lift the skin and re-position the tummy button all from the one hip-to-hip incision.

Your photos look fab. I really hope I can look half as good when its done!

Allegra - ITA with Amandoh that you shouldnt feel bad about wanting to do something like this for yourself. I have had some negative comments from people IRL when I have discussed it previously. What I find now though is that my good friends are very supportive and are rallying around to help me during my recovery period

If you look at yourself everyday and wish you looked different and that there is nothing physically you can do to change that (exercise, diet etc) then if you can afford it you should go ahead.

Amandoh - I was thinking of the upper arm op, mine are hideous!! I have had two ops at the Nuffield in T Wells and the care was excellent. Just wondering if Mr Tanner works there as well?

I'm not sure Gailforce1 but the cardiologist Mr Tanner suggested I saw before he'd agree to perform the surgery was at the Nuffield so he must have links there. Can I be terribly nosy and ask if the ops you had were cosmetic?

Tulpe - 15th June. Not long to wait then . I'd imangine you're feeling a mix of nervous excitement about now.