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*Treatment results may vary
Surgery Prep
So after all the waiting and preparation there wasn't much to do pre-surgery. I brought the bra Mr Horlick advised in the size I was aiming for but one back size up (Shock absorber SN102 Active Classic fit in 34d) as well as a Macom bra in medium, as recommended by the girls from the Facebook group.
I made sure I had plenty of pillows on standby at home and had a super pamper the day before so I was prepped for the recovery time when I wouldn't be able to wash or do much. After a very long and luxurious bath, with clean and tidy nails (no varnish, so they can check my nail beds when in hospital), shaved legs and moisturised body I was ready for hospital. I braided my hair so it was out of the way for surgery and would survive the few days spent unwashed without making me look like a homeless person! Luckily most other prep others had warned me of (pre-cooking meals, easily reachable things in the house etc) I didn't need to worry about too much as I was staying with my parents during my recovery (and over Xmas).
Here is a list of things I took to the hospital:
PJs - with front opening top
Slippers (required to walk to the surgical room when you are all ready to go)
Ear plugs and eye mask - these will be your saviours, don't forget them!
Both bra options in case one didn't fit
Pillow for car ride home - to put in between you and seatbelt
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Eye drops - mine got really dry as i was v dehydrated
Facewipes
Hair brush & ties
Big Cardigan if I get cold
Easy to put on clothes to leave in
Pads - surgery can mess with your cycle and I was due on any day
Phone \ tablet charger
Tablet for entertainment - I watched Gilmore Girls and reported my progress to friends on Facebook
Magazine for easy reading as you won't be really with it to want to read much else
Digestives - or similar plain snack to eat between meals and stop you feeling too sick from all the meds
If you get nervous rescue remedy is a good one to have on you too. I took my PJs though just stayed in my gown the whole time but it can depend where you are and how long you stay. Once packed all there was left to do was get a good nights sleep.
I made sure I had plenty of pillows on standby at home and had a super pamper the day before so I was prepped for the recovery time when I wouldn't be able to wash or do much. After a very long and luxurious bath, with clean and tidy nails (no varnish, so they can check my nail beds when in hospital), shaved legs and moisturised body I was ready for hospital. I braided my hair so it was out of the way for surgery and would survive the few days spent unwashed without making me look like a homeless person! Luckily most other prep others had warned me of (pre-cooking meals, easily reachable things in the house etc) I didn't need to worry about too much as I was staying with my parents during my recovery (and over Xmas).
Here is a list of things I took to the hospital:
PJs - with front opening top
Slippers (required to walk to the surgical room when you are all ready to go)
Ear plugs and eye mask - these will be your saviours, don't forget them!
Both bra options in case one didn't fit
Pillow for car ride home - to put in between you and seatbelt
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Eye drops - mine got really dry as i was v dehydrated
Facewipes
Hair brush & ties
Big Cardigan if I get cold
Easy to put on clothes to leave in
Pads - surgery can mess with your cycle and I was due on any day
Phone \ tablet charger
Tablet for entertainment - I watched Gilmore Girls and reported my progress to friends on Facebook
Magazine for easy reading as you won't be really with it to want to read much else
Digestives - or similar plain snack to eat between meals and stop you feeling too sick from all the meds
If you get nervous rescue remedy is a good one to have on you too. I took my PJs though just stayed in my gown the whole time but it can depend where you are and how long you stay. Once packed all there was left to do was get a good nights sleep.
Salisbury options and more consultations
So after going through the whole research process again (albeit it much quicker as there is a lot less choice) I choose 3 surgeons, though eventually only ended up seeing 2 of them. There was a lot let in terms of information and reviews for these ones so it was harder as they were all much for muchness. I had hoped to book in to New Hall Hospital, only a half hour from my house. But as they have limited slots for surgery I ended up looking at hospitals near Southampton.
Mr Ian Whitworth - Personally recommended to me, good qualifications, nice manner and favourable reviews. I saw him at Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital.
Mr Nigel Horlock - Very similar qualifications as Mr Whitworth, breast reconstruction specialist and highly rated for being very attentive and friendly. He saw me for consultation at New Hall but surgery is at Southampton Spire.
I went to see both of them, with Mr Whitworth being my preferred and Mr Horlock as my 'second opinion'. But after seeing them I felt personally a better fit with Mr Horlock. I think these things have a lot to do with how comfortable you are and making sure you find a surgeon who will give you what you want.
I got a very detailed follow up letter from Mr Horlock covering everything we had discussed at my appointment and coving next steps if I choose to go ahead. I was able to book straight in for my requested date, and as he was comfortable we had covered everything in the one consultation (I saw him for almost an hour) I didn't have to go back for a 2nd appt.
I was able to go to my local GP for pre-op tests, to save me having to come all the way to Southampton which made my life easier. The nurses at the hospital called to arrange this, as well as go over the questionnaires they sent me, to check if I had any questions or concerns, and to discuss payment.
Mr Ian Whitworth - Personally recommended to me, good qualifications, nice manner and favourable reviews. I saw him at Nuffield Health Wessex Hospital.
Mr Nigel Horlock - Very similar qualifications as Mr Whitworth, breast reconstruction specialist and highly rated for being very attentive and friendly. He saw me for consultation at New Hall but surgery is at Southampton Spire.
I went to see both of them, with Mr Whitworth being my preferred and Mr Horlock as my 'second opinion'. But after seeing them I felt personally a better fit with Mr Horlock. I think these things have a lot to do with how comfortable you are and making sure you find a surgeon who will give you what you want.
I got a very detailed follow up letter from Mr Horlock covering everything we had discussed at my appointment and coving next steps if I choose to go ahead. I was able to book straight in for my requested date, and as he was comfortable we had covered everything in the one consultation (I saw him for almost an hour) I didn't have to go back for a 2nd appt.
I was able to go to my local GP for pre-op tests, to save me having to come all the way to Southampton which made my life easier. The nurses at the hospital called to arrange this, as well as go over the questionnaires they sent me, to check if I had any questions or concerns, and to discuss payment.
Consultations
Unfortunately Mr Fallahdar was not available but I booked an appointment with a patient coordinator at Transform and planned to have a consultation with Mr Rezai as well. The cost of consultation with Mr Rezai (and as standard for most private surgeons) was £100 so I wanted to go via Transform first (as it's free).
I was due to see patient co-ordinator Astrid but ended up seeing Tiffany due to Astrid getting backed up. She was soo lovely, answered all my questions and gave me lots of advice. I booked a second consultation with Mr Khan on the day and was able to book in a provisional date for the surgery as well. I was a bit worried by the timings as I wanted to get it done before Christmas so I could take the holidays to recover back at my parents house (in Salisbury, Wilts). Tiffany was able to schedule me so I could also fit in follow up appointments etc.
Questions I asked:
What technique does he use? - Anchor with dissolvable stitches, drains used only sometimes.
What is the process from start to finish? - patient co-ordinator appt, surgeons appt, nurses appt (to check health), surgery with 1-2 nights stay, 1 week nurse follow up, 3 week nurses follow up, 3/6 month surgeon follow up and 3yr aftercare cover. (this is from memory as I didn't write it down)
Contact in emergency or if any worries post surgery? - will have number of 24hr on call Dr at hospital, they will call Dr Khan if needed.
How long off work / exercise / supervised? - 2-3 days supervised post op, 2-3 weeks off work, 6 weeks no exercise, 6 weeks wearing surgery bra
How long is the waiting list for surgery? - she gave me available dates only a few weeks away and then we booked provisional dates further away to fit with my schedule.
Where will the surgery be done and how long will I stay there? - all appointments at central London clinic, surgery at Riverside Hospital staying 1 night, 2 if needed.
How should I prep? - arnica 2 weeks pre & 2 weeks post
What is the cost and payment plan? - Deposit of £500 on consultation, full balance on 2nd appointment with a nurse.
I was very happy with my consultation but thinking about logistics of having my surgery in London and then travelling home for Christmas, plus the back and forth for appointments got me a bit worried. I started to look into alternative options closer to home. Eventually deciding to have go with a surgeon local to Salisbury. There was not as much choice and I was worried I wouldn't get as high quality as I would in the city. But after a bit of research it calmed my nerves to know Salisbury District is well known for its very highly rated surgical department. With most private surgeons also working there under the NHS.
I was due to see patient co-ordinator Astrid but ended up seeing Tiffany due to Astrid getting backed up. She was soo lovely, answered all my questions and gave me lots of advice. I booked a second consultation with Mr Khan on the day and was able to book in a provisional date for the surgery as well. I was a bit worried by the timings as I wanted to get it done before Christmas so I could take the holidays to recover back at my parents house (in Salisbury, Wilts). Tiffany was able to schedule me so I could also fit in follow up appointments etc.
Questions I asked:
What technique does he use? - Anchor with dissolvable stitches, drains used only sometimes.
What is the process from start to finish? - patient co-ordinator appt, surgeons appt, nurses appt (to check health), surgery with 1-2 nights stay, 1 week nurse follow up, 3 week nurses follow up, 3/6 month surgeon follow up and 3yr aftercare cover. (this is from memory as I didn't write it down)
Contact in emergency or if any worries post surgery? - will have number of 24hr on call Dr at hospital, they will call Dr Khan if needed.
How long off work / exercise / supervised? - 2-3 days supervised post op, 2-3 weeks off work, 6 weeks no exercise, 6 weeks wearing surgery bra
How long is the waiting list for surgery? - she gave me available dates only a few weeks away and then we booked provisional dates further away to fit with my schedule.
Where will the surgery be done and how long will I stay there? - all appointments at central London clinic, surgery at Riverside Hospital staying 1 night, 2 if needed.
How should I prep? - arnica 2 weeks pre & 2 weeks post
What is the cost and payment plan? - Deposit of £500 on consultation, full balance on 2nd appointment with a nurse.
I was very happy with my consultation but thinking about logistics of having my surgery in London and then travelling home for Christmas, plus the back and forth for appointments got me a bit worried. I started to look into alternative options closer to home. Eventually deciding to have go with a surgeon local to Salisbury. There was not as much choice and I was worried I wouldn't get as high quality as I would in the city. But after a bit of research it calmed my nerves to know Salisbury District is well known for its very highly rated surgical department. With most private surgeons also working there under the NHS.