I had surgery in January and i’ve been lucky as it all went smoothly for me.
I chose it mostly because it meant I wouldn’t have to have any more surgeries later to replace failing implants. So it’s done and I’m really pleased with it
I have a massive scar across my lower tummy from the side of one hip to the other. I really do think I’m lucky as I understand for a lot of women the scar can end up with some sort of puckering as the skin is brought together. One nurse told me some women end up with dog flaps at the hips where the scar ends and the skin doesn’t quite come together evenly. My scar is completely straight and very neat. Lucky to get such a fantastic plastic surgeon. They also gave me a new tummy button which looks fairly good I’d say.
i was also fairly fit before hand. I ran 2 or 3 times a week but I had to stop a month before surgery due to other surgeries and treatment. But I did walk for 30 mins a day instead and a lot of people told me my fitness helped my quick recovery.
Also I wasn’t massively overweight. I am pear shaped so have good child bearing hips and thighs but they told me to put on weight to get more tummy fat. I couldn’t quite believe it as I thought I was about a stone heavier than I should be. Anyway apparently they normally take the fat from one side of the tummy only to reconstruct the breast but they needed to use both sides for me and as a result the surgery was longer than expected. I went into surgery about 8 and came out at about 8. I think we should allow for an hour of faffing in pre-op etc / anaesthetics etc so I was probably under the knife for about 11 hours. It was a long time and they warned me I’d feel like I’d been hit by a train but I don’t really remember. They gave me morphine for the first day and then you are on normal painkillers. It’s bearable but the worst bit is their insistence on getting you out of bed and walking by day 2. I really didn’t think I would be able to and it is hard but I could manage it. Like I said it’s bearable.
It all seems a long time ago now but I’m not back to normal yet but I am running again and that helps. You really do need to do all the physio exercises as the tummy is so stretched. I got so bored of them I took up yoga everyday after a bit instead. I still feel it in my tummy now if I miss a day as my tummy just feels so tight.
After surgery I still felt mutilated. I hated to look at my body. I was impatient and fed up and now I still hate bits of it but if I’m honest I have a really good result. It’s just that any surgery like this is a massive change. It’s not like your body any more. I think the big thing for me is no nipple. It just looks so wrong. And a massive scar across my tummy but that is getting a lot better now.
Be prepared to wear big knickers (control pants) 24/7 for months.
I was really lucky to attend a show and tell evening at the Royal Free in London so I could talk to other women who’d had all sorts of different surgeries and that was really helpful. Can you ask if you can talk to other women who have had it done. At least virtually.
I really do wish you well and whatever you decide to do you feel happy with it. It’s so hard to make a decision. That was the worst bit for me as I had different surgeons telling what would be best. Wishing you all the best. 😘 Sally
