I did much research and was told by many in the health field ( including my GP) that Alastair Taylor was the only specialist to to my Abdominoplasty (after massive weight loss 55+ kg). I was terrified to meet him and have to be seen naked for the first time in 30+ years (I’m old!). He was matter of fact and my disfigured flabby body didn’t phase him at all. He’s a total miracle worker, he did a fleur de lis Abdominoplasty. I have a flat hard stomach and a waist! He actually performed a miracle, my tummy is amazing and years of shame has just GONE! Even the tops of my legs are better! It’s life changing for me. After the surgery I got to see Dr Taylor’s fun side and the staff team are amazing too. Don’t risk anyone else, he’s a total miracle worker! I had lost the weight and been exercising but didn’t think what he’s created was possible. I’m so grateful to him and his team. I’m confident and can dress to show off my flat tummy. I was still swollen in the after photos (My skin scars well, I’ve healed beautifully). It was massive and recovery painful but completely worth a new life! I’m getting a breast reduction soon as I’m a 12 GG cup and they look ridiculous. Women beware! A friend went to a different dr T in Canberra and her breast reduction is very lopsided, she went back to get it fixed, had to pay again, AND the result is still very lopsided she needs a bra insert to look even. Interestingly, he doesn’t have a photo gallery on his website and didn’t give her any of her before or after photos! He is a a plastic surgeon to avoid.
I had a facelift before done by a top Sydney surgeon and this Canberra surgeon did a better job particularly on my neck. Post operative care was superb with in-house hospital.Patient care was the best I have ever had.Most important reason for surgery is results and that was excellent. Would recommend Dr Taylor to anyone wanting a facelift.Lucinda
I had a breast lift with implants. My original breasts were 12c/12d. After breastfeeding two babies they were very saggy and the difference in size was even more obvious. Dr Taylor did an amazing job. They look like beautiful natural 12e's now. Im 3 years post op and I'm still really happy. Im thinking about having abdoplastery soon and i wouldn't dream of going through someone else. Highly recommended him and his team :)
I've always had large breasts and the resulting pain, but never thought I would get a breast reduction. Even though I was overweight, when I was at my thinnest, I still had very overly large breasts (DD). Then, when I had a workplace injury that hurt my neck and left shoulder/arm, I tried all sorts of therapy, and while some things helped, the severe pain continued. I decided to get a breast reduction and went with Dr. Taylor. I told him that I did NOT care about looking proportional -- what I wanted was the smallest possible breasts without complete removal. Dr. Taylor was amazing. He explained why he couldn't get me to an A or B size (given that I was an 18GG) because it would endanger my nipple health. He said he would make me as small as he possibly could -- safely. In the end, he took 1 kilo from each breast!!! I went from an 18 GG to a 14D or 16C. (He also liposuctioned the extra breast tissue on my sides.) I had no complications, my nipple sensation is fantastic, I have no "dog ears," everything is healing great. My scars are healing very nicely. Most of all, my pain has been reduced a great deal! It's not completely gone, but as I had a cervical injury, I didn't expect it all to magically disappear. I am so happy I did this, and I wish I had done it a long time ago.
After having three large babies very quickly and then going through menopause my body shape had changed so much. No amount of exercise or dieting was going to change this so I wanted to have a tummy tuck and breast reduction. Dr Alastair Taylor from the Caps Clinic in Canberra was the one I chose to do both procedures. I had my tummy tuck in Aug 2014 and my breast lift and reduction in Mar 2015. I am so happy with the results. I feel like I have my old body back. I feel stronger and more confident. Dr Taylor and his team were just wonderful.
Large painful breasts all my life! I was able to put up with them for a long time, but I gave up smoking 2 years ago and my boobs just went crazy. I put on a few kilos (about 7 )but my breasts just got disproportionately larger and more and more painful. I was in so much pain all the time and could never get comfortable. I couldn't stand to wear a bra, or not wear one - was really going crazy and they just kept getting bigger. So I decided life is too short and 30 years long enough to put up with too large painful breasts. Last time I got measured I was 14E but that was ages ago and I mostly stopped wearing actual bras since then because they made me too sore. Car seat belts really hurt! Anyway I found a surgeon with a very good reputation via my GP, online research, and asking around. His manner is a bit brusque but all I care about is the quality of the work and the aftercare which is very high so far. I am 4 days post op. I can't believe I was brave enough to do it as I was very scared of anesthetic for 4 hours and the surgery. Guess it shows how desperate I was! I remember coming to afterwards and was freezing - was warmed up quickly and had fast effective pain relief. I felt like I could have a lot of confidence in the anasthetist also, there was no nausea or anything. I stayed in the clinic overnight. The staff were very good so that first night the easy part. Now I'm getting some evolving areas of swelling and changing soreness and still taking the pain relief. Peoples reviews on this site have been great to help me feel less anxious about what's happening! The morning I went home the pressure bandage was removed and the compression bra was put on. I got a glimpse of my new tiny little boobs and I just loved them. Very happy! They have swollen a bit now, and I've spent the last 4 days either lying in bed or on the sofa feeling totally wiped out and it is all worth it so far. Will add photos soon. Updated on 14 Jul 2014: Less pain - still feeling wiped out. Went for a walk yesterday evening which went ok, and slept really well. I em enjoying the feeling of being able to breathe more easily, without the heavy weight on my chest. Updated on 17 Jul 2014: Everything is going well so far - went back to my PS yesterday to have the external stitches removed (there were only a couple). I'm still doing a lot of sleeping and lying around on the sofa watching dvds. A friend lent me all the real housewives of new jersey dvds - perfect trashy reality tv! My brain can't focus on much else. My appetite is coming back a bit. My sister - in-law drove me to my surgeon appointment - she couldn't believe how nice everyone was at the clinic! I feel lucky to have access to such a good option to have my BR. My boobs are a bit swollen around the lypo areas and I'm looking forward to seeing them as small as they were right after surgery when the photos were taken. So all good just waiting to heal more. Updated on 22 Jul 2014: I had a bit of a panic where one of the drain sites was leaking some gross yellow coloured stuff. The clinic were great as usual and saw me very quickly to confirm it was all ok. As always everyone there very lovely. I was scared about an infection but everything healing beautifully. Still a bit of swelling and a little bit of bruising but i can't believe how great they look. I used to hate the bathroom mirror because all i could see was these gross painful things that were causing me all this misery, and now i'm the most vain person on earth admiring my boobs in the mirror all the time. Even with the swelling the pain from the cysts and dense breast tissue has gone - it feels fantastic. Love love love my new small boobs! Updated on 4 Aug 2014: Saw my PS today and the incisions healing well but need a bit of ointment to treat one bit which was a bit yuck. There is still a bit of swelling and i have to keep the tape on the scars for the next few weeks as well. I have been like my dog the last couple of weeks - 2 walks a day and lots of snoozing - it's been nice. I was surprised by how tired i was for while after the surgery. I haven't told many people that I was getting this done - but one friend i did tell said something cool. She said - you'll be like an Amazon! - meaning the legend that the Amazons would remove their breasts to make them better fighters. Nice warrior imagery i'll take it! As usual clinic visit very nice and i just keep feeling happier and happier about all the good things with my lovely tiny new boobs! Updated on 27 Aug 2014: Had my 6 week appointment - i don't need to put the tape on anymore around the incisions - just use some silicon gel on them. Everything healing well which is great. I have been able to exercise the last couple of weeks - felt great to be able to do some exercise and i wasn't as unfit as i was worried i could be. I just wore a couple of sports bras (smaller size!) and lighter weights the first couple of times then everything was fine to go back to my normal workouts. Is a great being able to exercise without the heavy painful mono-boob feeling! So many moments since the surgery where i realise I don't feel pain / uncomfortable / embarrassed. It feels amazing - one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I have another appointment in 4 months - I have been very pleased with the amount of aftercare, I just didn't expect it. If anyone in the ACT area is thinking of getting a breast reduction - I would say 1. do it! 2. I recommend the CAPS clinic 100% Very happy : ) Updated on 13 Jul 2016: I wanted to show how my BR looks after 2 years because I was curious about the longer term look before I had my op. In short - this is still one the best ever decisions I made for myself. I love my new boobs and I feel happy about getting the op every time I get dressed, try on new clothes, meet new people etc etc. It is no exaggeration to say that it would be almost every day since the op that I think about how happy I am with my BR! I'm surprised I still still get so much happy from the op after this length of time. I was so paranoid about putting on weight and them getting big again I have become obsessed with working out and eating healthy. It was a big financial outlay for me but in terms of a daily happy lifting thought, and much healthier lifestyle, totally worth it. Just an example: I went for a couple of job interviews in the months before the op 2 years ago and they were a total disaster. In the last couple of months I have been looking around for a new job again and this time I'm like a totally different creature - very confident and doing well. I know I sound like a dodgy commercial, but my BR has seriously been such a good thing in my life. For all my sisters thinking about / going through the same procedure, I really wish the same joy and confidence for you from your op that I have had from mine. xx
I haven't had a breast reduction yet, but at 34/36K, and finding that tight I have had enough. So I went to the doctor today to ask for a referral to a plastic surgeon. I am 52 years old, and weirdly I did not have these really huge boobs until I got pregnant at 44. I hate to think of what would have happened if I had had more than one child! I first grew boobs when I was about 12, and while they were big compared to other girls they weren't the bad. They always sagged though, right from the start. I was about a D for many years then a DD, which was OK, then they went to E in my thirties. The last eight years have been awful. Very uncomfortable all the time. I haven't worked out the payment yet, or anything like that but I expect it will cost a lot. I don't have insurance so I will have to find a way to pay for it. I will see the plastic surgeon in June. Updated on 2 Jun 2013: Hi guys I have just had my meeting with Dr Alastair Taylor. He is lovely, and so are his staff, and they are very sympathetic to my plight - ie the big boobs. He explained what was involved and I am to have an anchor scar with inferior pedicle, with some liposuction at the sides. That sounds good to me. It means that apparently, there will be no droopage at the end - I said that was great. I have had the drooping boobs for more than 30 years and I am totally over it. He also said that the reduction would reduce my chance of getting breast cancer by half. That I didn't know but it sounds logical, and good to me. I am booked for 26 September and will require two weeks to get over it. I will have to pay about $14,000 but will get some back from Medicare, which will reduce it to $12,900 or so. Having private medical cover would reduce this, but I dropped it years ago as it is too expensive. Some of this should come back to me on tax I hope. I am so doing it. Even more sure now. Updated on 28 Aug 2013: I went for my pre op today. It took almost an hour. They went through the procedure in the hospital then gave me this cute bag. I was told that everything that I needed to bring would fit into this bag. Presumably this is to stop people overpacking and coming in with heaps of stuff. They also started me on a supplement called vital greens. I am to take this every day from now until two weeks after surgery. They also gave me some arnica to start two weeks prior. It is only four weeks away now. The time has flown since booking this. It is kind of scary now. Like others I am afraid of not waking up. I ordered two bras. I am to wear the surgical bras for two weeks. Updated on 7 Sep 2013: Hi all Only two and a half weeks to go now. I am getting organised. Taking my vital greens every day and I am going to start with the Arnica on Thursday. By sheer poor timing I am starting a new job this week, but what can you do. My BFF is coming to stay to help me for the first few days. It is such a weird transition time waiting. I don't want to buy new clothes yet, but all the new seasons stuff is in and I am itching to get some new things. But have no idea of what size I will be. They wouldn't commit themselves, just said that he will make the boobs to be in proportion with my body. Updated on 7 Sep 2013: My boobs look terrible in this dress, totally saggy and huge. I love it though and am really looking forward to being able to wear it. Updated on 16 Sep 2013: I paid for my surgery today. So that will be a big shock to the bank account. I have been madly saving money for it all year. I am getting very very nervous now. I almost wanted to pull out today. I read a few reviews to keep myself going. I know that if I don't go through with this, I will regret it for the rest of my life. Updated on 23 Sep 2013: So I am to go in on Thursday morning. I will be so glad to have this over with. It has been a long wait. Like others I wonder what it will be like. Will I be sad? I am so used to these huge boobs. Will it change who I am? Then I think, no I have always hated these boobs. I am being silly. I can always buy false ones if I want to. As always, it is about comfort. And I am comfortable all of the time. Updated on 23 Sep 2013: Uncomfortable that was meant to be. Updated on 26 Sep 2013: So I am done. The pain is manageable. I threw up from the medication earlier but don't feel bad now. They took 2kg from the left and 1.7 kg from the right. And I will still be a D or thereabouts he said. I am staying overnight and should be going home tomorrow morning. Let's see how it goes. He said there was a problem with the left nipple and I may lose part of it. Not that unexpected really. Already my shoulders feel so much better. Updated on 26 Sep 2013: Here I am the day after surgery. I am so pleased with the results. He took three quarters off! My shoulders are so much more comfortable now. And Theodore news that I have sensitivity in both nipples, so far! Updated on 27 Sep 2013: I am in quite a lot of pain today. I started out with nausea, and it has been quite a difficult day. I am not wanting to take my pain medication because it is making me so nauseous. Also my problematic left nipple is not looking good. It is quite dark and it is possible I will lose it. They had warned me about that. I contacted the doctor. They said it is a waiting game to see how it goes. I still have feeling in it though. Despite all this I am not sorry I did it. Hauling those huge boobs around was pretty horrible. Updated on 29 Sep 2013: I think that I am gradually on the mend now. Still some soreness around the incisions, especially if I try to do too much, but at least now I don't need to be on the heavy pain pills, which were making me very nauseated. For people preparing for this, the stuff about constipation is true. You need to stock up on laxatives before hand to keep things going as they should be. Updated on 1 Oct 2013: I felt really quite swollen and uncomfortable today. Anyway had my first post op so went to the surgeon. He said I could be brewing an infection as one of the incisions is getting a bit manky looking. He put me on antibiotics and I have to rub antibiotic cream in twice a day. It is getting more comfortable now. He said that my nipple will be ok. The other good news is that the tissue which went to the path lab was clear. Reflecting on it all I think I should have had this surgery when I was about thirty, then again now. There is no doubt that the boobs would have regrown. But I would have had more years of comfort in between. Updated on 5 Oct 2013: My infections did not settle with the keeled and chlorsig cream, and got slowly worse. It became very uncomfortable in the night, so today I contacted the surgeon and went to the after hours doctor. He rang me just before I went in and told me what to ask for. She swabbed the wound for analysis and put me on a high doseage course of the Dicloxacillin, which he had asked for. I felt better two hours after the first dose. I really hope I am on the mend soon. I just love love these new boobs, and I want to start playing with them. From reading other questions etc is have always known that I am likely to have a hard road to healing due to the extensive reduction and the fact I am over fifty. Updated on 5 Oct 2013: Not keeled. The predictive text is really annoying. Updated on 5 Oct 2013: Those antibiotics were kick arse. I am so much better today. The incisions are settling down and I feel like a proper person. I just feel so grateful that I could have the opportunity to do this. Despite the discomfort, horrible nausea I had for the first few days, the pain on day three, which was the worst day during this recovery, fear of losing a nipple, not being able to do much or move around for a couple of weeks, not for one second did have I felt any regret about doing this. I am so very glad I did it. There have been so many benefits. It really is life changing. One weird change I have experienced happens when I am out in public. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this but I bet some of you have. With the big boobs, I was aware of stares all the time. I was so used to it that I tuned it out because I hated it, it was embarrassing. Now it is gone. Completely. I go out and I am not noticed at all. It has made me realise how much I felt like a freak before. Updated on 8 Oct 2013: I am feeling much more normal today, and the infections seem to be drying out. I am on a second course of the Distaph antibiotics. I got a bit of separation under my right breast, which will take some time to heal. My left nipple now is quite black. It has full sensation though so the PS thinks it will heal up quite nicely under the black area and come back ok, although it will be patchy. Updated on 20 Oct 2013: I am putting these up here because even though they are gross, I have really been encouraged by similar ones posted by other people who are ahead of me and being able to see theirs heal. So mine might be able to help someone else. The big scab on the left nipple is coming off slowly, and the skin underneath it is pink and has feeling. Given that I nearly lost the lot I am very relieved about this. I expect it will take a few more weeks for it to finish what it is doing. Similarly the breakdown at the T junction under that nipple is slowly healing. The bigger wound on the other side is getting better with extreme slowness. The skin around the edges is starting to grow, and should fill in the lot soon. My PS has given me calcium alginate to put on it. I haven't seen anyone else use this. It is a dressing that you put on after a shower. It adheres to the wound, keeps out bacteria, and it keeps the area moist so it can keep healing. Taking it off is pretty horrible, but is over in a couple of seconds. I am seeing him every week at the moment, and I am going back tomorrow, so I will see what he will do. He assured me that when it heals it will shrink and pull all the tissue back together. I am really wanting this part to be over so I can go and buy bras. Don't even want to think about trying any on at this stage. Updated on 26 Oct 2013: Well today I covered everything up with waterproof tape and went bra shopping. For the first time ever I bought a well fitting bra. What a revelation.always they have been uncomfortable. But this one isn't. It sits exactly the way it should. It is size 16 E. A big difference from the 16 K I had before that never fitted properly and always hurt. I am so excited. And it only cost about $20. A big difference from what I had to pay for those huge bras. Updated on 2 Nov 2013: Hi all I am still getting along here. The PS said that at some point you feel like it will never heal, and I am there. But he assures me it will. The wound is nice and clean he says, and the edges are getting thicker so it is getting ready to build new skin. He has said to me that we could do a skin graft, but at this stage I don't want to do that. I figure that will give me another area of pain, put different coloured skin on my boob, and I won't get the contraction from the scar. But if it has to be done the I guess it will be. At this stage I want to give it the chance to heal. He is checking every week, debriding the wound when he feels it is necessary, and giving me the dressings for the next week. I have a script for antibiotics if it gets infected. Basically I shower each day, put the calcium alginate dressing on, put some gauze around it and go about my business. I try not to think about it too much. It can be a bit itchy or have some short term stabbing pains but basically it just sits there and doesn't trouble me much. My nipple on the other side has come out from under the scab, which is slowly but surely shrinking. I have full feeling in all the skin as it emerges, and the nipple has full sensation. I love the fact that almost six weeks on the boobs are still so perky. I am really happy about that. The rest of the time I am greatly enjoying the smaller breasts. I feel invisible now when I go out and I love love it. I love the fact that ALL of my clothes look better. I have had some surprises, clothes that are about four inches longer than I thought. Despite the complications I have not regretted this one bit, not for one second. And as one person in the clinic pointed out my surgery was really extensive. She said I am very lucky that these complications are all that has gone wrong. I think that she is right. For ladies who are considering this surgery and who have seen reviews like mine and who are scared I would like to say that even if you have problems the benefits for me have far outweighed the downsides, and you may find the same. I would rather be like this than having the terrible discomfort I had before. It really was very hard to live with. This is so much better. Updated on 9 Nov 2013: Well my PS said that the wounds are closing now. I surely hope so. He said that within another week they should start to look smaller. Yet another setback, it seemed to get quite infected over the past week. Again. More antibiotics. Fortunately they helped very quickly. I also had a major skin issue, half my right boob went red and very itchy. Not sure if it was cellulitis or an allergic reaction to my bras, or what I am washing them in or the dressings or whatever. Anyway, after two days of antibiotics, and some cortisone cream, it is settling. I am trying to remain positive, after all I really expected to have constant infections with this, as I get them a lot for any cut, pimple etc this is only the second time. Updated on 16 Nov 2013: Well this is a bit horrible and sorry for it, but the wounds are closing now. It really does seem to take ages, and the PS says that you feel you are going mad with waiting. I really do. But I am encouraged that things are healing now. Hope so at any rate. Updated on 22 Nov 2013: So the yuckity horrible scabby thing finally came off to reveal a small area of fat necrosis. So now that the awful wounds beneath are finally healing the universe has decided I am ready for this. My PS saw it at the beginning of the week and said that he would like to leave it alone at this stage as he is certain it will come out on its own. However if it does not fix itself, and soon, I guess, he will excise it. I assume that the small amount of fluid that is still draining out of it is the fat breaking down, and that is how it happens. It will take many months at this rate as the lump under the nipple is about the size of a walnut. I am full of questions.....if it does auto amputate, as he put it, will there be a big hole where it was? Will the wound in the areola finally heal or will it need a graft? What does it mean for managing it? Will the boob look like a volcano that has a huge crater in it, or will the tissue grow back on its own? Will my poor nipple, which has amazingly survived this process with full sensitivity, still continue to do so? That breast is slightly bigger than the other so I am confident it will be ok in the end, as it could be trimmed down a bit. Will I need more surgery? But seriously... It just goes to show though how close I came to losing the nipple altogether. I go back to him in a few days and I will ask him these things and let you all know what he says because I know I won't be the only person to face this challenge. I think that the message from this is, anyone who is considering this surgery needs to ask themselves the question, if you know that it will take six months or more to heal is it worth it to you to go through it? In my case the answer is yes. Definitely yes. I hated those huge boobs with a resounding passion. I haven't had much pain with all of this, it has been more inconvenient, very annoying, kinda scary etc, but basically I just cover it all up and get on with my day, which involves a lot of preening in front of mirrors and other reflective surfaces such as windows and glass doors and just loving the smaller breasts. I look better in everything....feel better...no more back pain, no more tingly fingers etc etc etc. Updated on 30 Nov 2013: The horrible wounds under both boobs really are closing now. Once the process started they seemed to speed up in terms of the healing. In fact the smaller one may even be closed completely soon. The horrible fat thing is still there on the left areola. It is pretty gross and leaks all the time. It has some weird thing going on at the top of it, itchy, stingy, and if I press on it a thin fluid comes out. This is new. I am going to see the PS on Monday and will ask him to take a special look at it and see what is going on. I posted a question about the fat necrosis on the question and answer board, so I will see what the surgeons say. Updated on 6 Dec 2013: The wounds beneath are really healing up now. Not too much further to go. It is a huge relief. The weird hurty thing that was going on above my left nipple last week opened to a hole. This was my body opening up another way for the fat necrosis to get out I guess. It was extremely fortunate that I was already going to see my PS that day because I think I would have totally freaked out otherwise. I had decided that enough was enough and I was going to ask him about the excision part of things, expecting I would need an anaesthetic or something and that there would have been something to it. But he obviously decided it was time to put me out of my misery and just got right to it then and there. It didn't hurt. He took out about an almond sized amount. It must have relieved some pressure because I felt so much better, and strangely cleansed after it. I have to go back next week and he will see if there is any more he can take out. In answer to my previous questions, it is all expected to heal up. No need for a graft, and no hole, no crater. He said that by about six months it should all look fine. In regard to management, I have to pack it daily with a rope like version of the calcium alginate. I haven't seen much about calcium alginate on here so I did a bit of research. Apparently it was derived from an old sailors' cure for wounds, where they put seaweed on them. It comes in two forms, one which looks like felt, that is what I have been using on the wounds beneath. And the rope version, which looks like hair. The idea is that the alginate absorbs the exudate from the wound and forms a gel. The gel is supposed to bind any bacteria etc which means when you remove it you take all the bad stuff out or off so it keeps the wound wet and clean. I think it has been great. It is much more comfortable than using gauze, and easier because you don't need to wet anything or do anything except place it on. Anyway back to the PS on Monday so I will update more after then. Updated on 11 Dec 2013: One of the wounds has healed, and the other one is going to really soon! I feel like a new woman! Yippee.... Updated on 13 Dec 2013: Now if only that double hole in my boob would close! Updated on 21 Dec 2013: I am happy to report more progress although I have had a small set-back with one of the scars opening again, the smaller one. We really do have to take a lot of care with these scars. The holes in my left boob, are closing, and are considerably smaller than they were. My PS checked them on Friday and seemed quite pleased with the progress. He said to use a much smaller amount of the alginate in it to allow it to close. He has told me to use Strataderm gel on the scars. This is supposed to help them lighten and heal. Updated on 4 Jan 2014: Happy new year everyone. I am happy to report that my healing journey is finally coming to an end. The opened incisions have healed, except for a few small skin issues, which are resolving. The top hole on my left boob has closed, and the bottom hole is nearly there. I am still using gauze to prevent more splitting and damage, the skin seems to be quite fragile on the scars there still. I have been moving my focus onto the scars now, they are quite red and raised in places. I am using the Strataderm cream every day on them. Here are my latest photos. Updated on 11 Jan 2014: The healed incisions are settling, the strataderm is lightening the scars, it is all settling in now. My big fear is that they could be getting bigger again. I put on 3 kg over Christmas, I sure hope that is all it is. I am now madly trying to get it all off. Updated on 17 Jan 2014: The scars seem to be getting a bit lighter with the strataderm, which I have been using for some weeks now. The PS seemed pleased with the progress of the incisions, and said to use moisturiser to stop the skin from splitting. He said that was only superficial so not a worry. I am using a plant oil and Aloe Vera based one that I find is very gentle. I find that mineral based ones actually seem to dry my skin. The necrosis area and the hole is a bit of a disappointment, it should have been closed by now. I think that it is because there are deeper lumps of the necrosis and they are breaking down too. It is pretty annoying and I could have done without that. I have no idea how long this will go on for. I went and tried on bras today. I am still a 38E in some brands, and in others even that is too tight. It is very frustrating. I would have loved to be a C cup and was prepared to accept a D. I was hoping that it was just the swelling from the operation but I am not sure that they will get any smaller now. I have a very sturdy body, so they look fine on me, but I have no leeway at all, as I recently found out when I put on weight. Well call that incentive to lose more weight and see if they get any smaller that way. I won't be seeing the PS again for three months, so at least that means he thinks that my healing journey is pretty well over. I am thinking about what to do next. What I have learnt from this is that we have the possibility to be what we want, and I think that we should take it. I wish I had done it earlier and I am thinking that after a couple of years I will do this again, and go smaller and firmer. I think that as it won't be such a big operation it will be easier on me. The operation was just so large I wasn't surprised I had all of these issues and I am not surprised either that already I am thinking about a revision. Updated on 17 Jan 2014: I remember how vulnerable I felt through all of this and how lost and disappointed I was. I am posting these for people who have similar problems, so that they can see the transition from having problems that make you feel really quite hopeless, as I did, to now when most of it is all healed up. Updated on 28 Feb 2014: My scars are shrinking now, and some of them are getting lighter. I still have a few issues with the fat necrosis on the left boob, but hope that it will stop soon. I have posted pictures to how the improvement in the scars, and also the new proportions. I am an E cup, but as I am quite a sturdy person, this kind of works for me. I am now only a slight bit smaller than the last update so I guess I won't get any smaller than this. I am exercising five or six days a week now, so my overall health is improving. Updated on 22 Mar 2014: Hi all I have at last healed completely. Finally. It turned out I had some kind of slow growing infection, which kept the wound from healing. It took some time for it to get bad enough for a doctor to swab it and thus find the beasties which were causing the problem. It got quite nasty at the end. I will spare you the details. Long story short the pathology result showed that there was a mix of anaerobic bacteria infecting the wound. Anyway the result also showed that I would need Flagyl to improve it. And lo and behold, four days into the course of Flagyl, the wound finally healed. I am now waiting to see if the dimple caused by all this will even out. I hope so. It has only been a week. I feel so much better now. Now back to scar therapy. I still have two or so lumps of fat necrosis in my left boob. I will go back to my general practitioner soon and ask her to have it scanned and biopsied etc. I expect I will need this for mammograms etc. I won't have it removed unless there is a medical reason to do so. I am still so glad it did this. Every day I look myself and think how much better I look. I hated those big boobs. I have not ever, for one second, regretted my decision to go ahead with this surgery. Updated on 22 Mar 2014: Photos from today. The indentations are caused by my bra. Updated on 7 Jun 2014: So here we are, eight months later and the scars are really fading now. I am so used to the smaller boobs now that they look big to me now. When they were first done they looked tiny. The measurement is the same. My left nipple survived the trauma, and the dimple has come out mostly. There is some loss of pigment, but that isn't so bad. There is still some fat necrosis, but that too is much smaller. Updated on 30 Jul 2014: The scars are getting lighter now and the boobs feel natural at last. I am so grateful that this surgery exists. It has been a whole new life.
I am 5 days out of having my tummy tuck and hernia repair with Dr Taylor. Despite the swelling, I am very happy with the results thus far.
I've always had a big nose, but on top of that I badly broke it when I was in year 3 - so since I can remember I've always been really unhappy about the shape of my nose and in turn - lost a lot of self confidence over the years. I've always spent an unnecessary amount of time and effort thinking and focusing on it or trying ways to place less emphasis on the shape and size of it. Growing up I'd always wanted to have surgery on it but never spoke to anyone about it - nor the fact that I hated my nose (as if mentioning it would further draw attention to it - silly I know). But after finishing uni and moving away to a new state with my partner, I found it really tough in the beginning to meet new people and my self-confidence hit an all-time low and I contacted my sister who works for a plastic surgeon in Canberra (luckily) to find out some more information on having the surgery.Updated on 13 Dec 2011:Only 8 days to go until my surgery! I'm starting to get really excited..not nervous, yet! I've starting taking vital greens and arnica spray (supplied by the clinic) each morning to help try and boost my immune and to help with the bruising. I've been sick with a bad cold/cough for about a week and want to get it sorted before the surgery - so I'm off to the doctors today to hopefully get it fixed! I've started to get organised and getting bits and pieces together to take with me for the surgery and for my recovery - any tips? I'm currently living on the Sunshine Coast and am flying down to Canberra for the surgery so I don't want to forget anything! :-)Updated on 19 Dec 2011:Only 3 more days until surgery - I can't wait!! I'm having my surgery at 1pm and then will stay in the clinic overnight.Updated on 21 Dec 2011:My surgery got bumped forward to 10.30am..only an hour to go!! Am just waiting to go in - everyone at the clinic is so lovely and welcoming - I'm not too nervous just yet but I'm sure i will be once I get into the room! Will keep you posted! Updated on 28 Dec 2011: It's been 6 days since my surgery, and I got the cast removed yesterday - so far so good! The surgery took around 2.5-3 hours and all went well although they said I lost a lot of blood; the most they had seen in this type of op - not because anything went wrong or there was a problem just that some people bleed more than others. They also said the septum was completely deviated on my left side, so much so that it was completely blocking the nasal passage, so I should have better breating soon too! I stayed in the clinic overnight - food and facilities were great (all very new) - like staying in a hotel and the nurses were fantastic. Both the doctor and anaethesist came and visited twice that afternoon and again in the morning and said all went well. The following day Dr Taylor removed the packing from each nostril - which is what I dreading the most - not because I thought it would hurt, but because I had been told it was a really weird feeling. It was kind of like a magician pulling out a never ending scarf from my nose - and I remember making this really weird moaning noise - but it was over before I knew it and the doctor was just laughing about it :) I was quite bruised and swollen for the first 2-3 days, but by the time the cast was removed the brusing was quite minimal. I had a cast on my face, stiches and splints in each nostril so I was unable to breathe out my nose or taste anything for that time. Recovery was relatively painless - the worst was having to sleep with my mouth open every night and it would all dry up and get a slimy film...yuck! Was pretty tired though so I usually had 1 or 2 sleeps during the day and a solid sleep through the night until around 5.30am were I would wake up and change the drip pad. I was still bleeding pretty steadily for the following few days so I had to keep the drop pad taped on. I drank plenty of water and hydrolyte and mainly ate toast, fruit and veg (avoided coffee and alcohol...very hard over the christmas break!) My sister is a dermal tech and so she did some lymphatic massage draining on my face to reduce the swelling which I think really helped - it's worth looking into. I also continued to use the arnica spray a few times a day and the arnica cream on the brusing - although I think was skin was a little sensative for it as it stung a little so each time I would wipe most of it off. I also used icepacks on and off on my cheeks when I could feel they were warm. On the 5th day I had the cast, splints and stiches removed. Removing the cast was probably the worst because it was kinda of stuck the skin so it needed a little bit of pressure for it to come off and because I had been so precious with my nose for the past week. Stiches were fine. Splints were similar to the packing removal but quicker and a little bit painful were like 2 little plugs but was a relief to get them out! After I sat up I got really woozy and turned grey and sweaty and had to lie down on the bed for a while and they got me some juice until I got some colour back. My nose was pretty oily and the pores were pretty blocked, but once I got home I carefully gave my face a good clean and it's been pretty good since. They said due to the blood loss in surgery it was a lot more swollen at the bridge - and so I will need to go back in a week to see them (Tuesday) as he wants to check it is settling down ok. Also the skin on the bridge was still remembering where the bump was but will settle down. But even by the time I had arrived home - 3 hours later - the swelling had gone down quite a bit. On the way home we stopped to get a few things and I walked into the shops without too much of a worry. Today - after having the cast removed yesterday I wore makeup to cover the slight bruising under my eyes and went and visited some relatives and none of them said anything. I don't think people can tell unless they knew prior that I was having the surgery. It's still quite swollen on the bridge so I am hoping it has a little way to go. I am already happy with my profile, but front on I think it still looks a little big. My nose is still pretty blocked and I've still been sleeping with my mouth open as there are heaps of scabs and mucus still in my nose. I've been trying to keep it clean and have used so many 100 q-tips - so hopefully it will all clear up soon! Dr Taylor has told me to massage my nose away from the tip at every chance I get to help with the swelling and healing and the nurse had stressed the importance of this. It's ok - but even before I had my surgery I have this funny thing (like running nails down a blackboard) that I hate touching the bridge of my nose and running my finger up my shins. So the massages on my nose make me feel pretty woozy and bit sick in the stomach - even just thinking about it! I'm not sure what it is - but I guess it's something I need to get over! So far I am really happy with my nose, and I'm sure as the swelling subsides I will be only happier with results! Updated on 28 Dec 2011: It's been 6 days since my surgery, and I got the cast removed yesterday - so far so good! The surgery took around 2.5-3 hours and all went well although they said I lost a lot of blood; the most they had seen in this type of op - not because anything went wrong or there was a problem just that some people bleed more than others. They also said the septum was completely deviated on my left side, so much so that it was completely blocking the nasal passage, so I should have better breating soon too! I stayed in the clinic overnight - food and facilities were great (all very new) - like staying in a hotel and the nurses were fantastic. Both the doctor and anaethesist came and visited twice that afternoon and again in the morning and said all went well. The following day Dr Taylor removed the packing from each nostril - which is what I dreading the most - not because I thought it would hurt, but because I had been told it was a really weird feeling. It was kind of like a magician pulling out a never ending scarf from my nose - and I remember making this really weird moaning noise - but it was over before I knew it and the doctor was just laughing about it :) I was quite bruised and swollen for the first 2-3 days, but by the time the cast was removed the brusing was quite minimal. I had a cast on my face, stiches and splints in each nostril so I was unable to breathe out my nose or taste anything for that time. Recovery was relatively painless - the worst was having to sleep with my mouth open every night and it would all dry up and get a slimy film...yuck! Was pretty tired though so I usually had 1 or 2 sleeps during the day and a solid sleep through the night until around 5.30am were I would wake up and change the drip pad. I was still bleeding pretty steadily for the following few days so I had to keep the drop pad taped on. I drank plenty of water and hydrolyte and mainly ate toast, fruit and veg (avoided coffee and alcohol...very hard over the christmas break!) My sister is a dermal tech and so she did some lymphatic massage draining on my face to reduce the swelling which I think really helped - it's worth looking into. I also continued to use the arnica spray a few times a day and the arnica cream on the brusing - although I think was skin was a little sensative for it as it stung a little so each time I would wipe most of it off. I also used icepacks on and off on my cheeks when I could feel they were warm. On the 5th day I had the cast, splints and stiches removed. Removing the cast was probably the worst because it was kinda of stuck the skin so it needed a little bit of pressure for it to come off and because I had been so precious with my nose for the past week. Stiches were fine. Splints were similar to the packing removal but quicker and a little bit painful were like 2 little plugs but was a relief to get them out! After I sat up I got really woozy and turned grey and sweaty and had to lie down on the bed for a while and they got me some juice until I got some colour back. My nose was pretty oily and the pores were pretty blocked, but once I got home I carefully gave my face a good clean and it's been pretty good since. They said due to the blood loss in surgery it was a lot more swollen at the bridge - and so I will need to go back in a week to see them (Tuesday) as he wants to check it is settling down ok. Also the skin on the bridge was still remembering where the bump was but will settle down. But even by the time I had arrived home - 3 hours later - the swelling had gone down quite a bit. On the way home we stopped to get a few things and I walked into the shops without too much of a worry. Today - after having the cast removed yesterday I wore makeup to cover the slight bruising under my eyes and went and visited some relatives and none of them said anything. I don't think people can tell unless they knew prior that I was having the surgery. It's still quite swollen on the bridge so I am hoping it has a little way to go. I am already happy with my profile, but front on I think it still looks a little big. My nose is still pretty blocked and I've still been sleeping with my mouth open as there are heaps of scabs and mucus still in my nose. I've been trying to keep it clean and have used so many 100 q-tips - so hopefully it will all clear up soon! Dr Taylor has told me to massage my nose away from the tip at every chance I get to help with the swelling and healing and the nurse had stressed the importance of this. It's ok - but even before I had my surgery I have this funny thing (like running nails down a blackboard) that I hate touching the bridge of my nose and running my finger up my shins. So the massages on my nose make me feel pretty woozy and bit sick in the stomach - even just thinking about it! I'm not sure what it is - but I guess it's something I need to get over! So far I am really happy with my nose, and I'm sure as the swelling subsides I will be only happier with results! Updated on 30 Dec 2011: So it's been 9 days since the op and 4 days since the cast was removed. Bruising is almost all gone except for a small dot under one eye and a little bit of yellowing under the other. I am pretty happy with the side profile thus far, but am a little disheartened with my front view. It still feels wide at the bridge and I would like to think it is just swollen but I can already feel the bone just under the skin which makes me think it isn't going to get any smaller :(..I have an appointment with the doctor on tuesday so hopefully I will find out some more info then - will keep you posted! Updated on 1 Jan 2012: I've been feeling pretty down the past 4 or so days - after doing a bit of research i've read that post surgery depression is quite common which is comforting to know, but still doesn't really help the way i'm feeling...I am just looking forward to the doctors appointment on tuesday to find out how much of it is swelling. I am already happy with my profile, but it still looks too wide at the bridge and I can already feel the bone just under the skin which makes me think it's there to stay. I guess I am just disappointed as you think that (unrealistically) as soon as the cast comes off you will be a completely different person. I just need to relax and have a little more patience! Has anyone else had these concerns?? It's been 10 days since the op and 5 days since the cast was removed. Updated on 9 Feb 2012: So it's been 1 month and 18 days - and all is going well! The swelling has come down alot but the tip is still quite hard and swollen. I am really happy with the result - I think it is really natural and suits my face. I just had my 6 week check up on Friday and i'm recovering well - just waiting to receive my before and after photos :)
I am 3 weeks post op and beyond excited about what Dr T has done. He includes liposuction in his TT so my entire midsection was sculpted and the result was better then I could have ever imagined. The staff are the most incredible nurses. Caring, loving and funny. The anesthesiologist was professional and kind and attentive. Dr T is straight forward and very clear on what he will deliver. I will recommend him to everyone!!! Updated on 27 Jun 2019: So I’m around 9 weeks post tummy tuck and I’m loving it! No more pain, went back to work at 6 weeks. My swelling has gone down substantially and I’m back at the gym full time. I’m mindful of not pushing my abs too much with core exercises but will do pilates and yoga just no sit ups yet. My belly button is finally looking more normal! I’m worried I may develop dog ears but staying positive!!! Love my new bod! Updated on 6 Nov 2019: So I’m 7months post op and have developed dog ears as predicted. I went to my review and Dr Taylor advised it would be a small amount of lipo around the scar and a small scar revision on the side as the end of the scar appears puckered - taking no more than an hour. I was feeling hopeful and excited about getting it fixed. I received the quote and it was $5,000... an additional 1/4 on top of what I had already paid. I sent the surgery an email asking if there was any chance of the quote being reviewed. From the moment I sent that email I was ghosted by the clinic. 5 weeks, 3 phone calls and 4 emails and not one whisper of contact from the clinic. I am so disappointed, upset and now angry. Now seeking to have my revision done elsewhere.
You have had an augmentation mastopexy which is a challenging operation. It's important to put implants under the muscle when doing this operation to separate them as far as possible from the breast operation on top. Advantages to going under the muscle are implants looking better for longer with less contracture, less subcutaneous erosion over the implant, better visualisation on mastopexy and implants that don't feel as heavy as they are closer to your center of gravity.. Downside is you may get an animation deformity, in your case, not too bad. Yes, they can go on top of the muscle but there are plenty of disadvantages.
I think a breast reduction is certainly possible, even when you are this heavy. However an abdominoplasty isn't as it is a larger operation and you most likely have a fair bit of intra abdominal fat (ie fat around your intestines) which would make it impossible to close your rectus muscle split without dramatically decreasing your ability to breathe. This is weight you need to lose before this operation becomes possible. Reducing weight with liposuction just doesn't work, liposuction will only change shape and not weight and you certainly can't liposuck the intestines. Have a breast reduction, get more mobile, adopt a sugar free diet and you will lose the weight, even at 52. Bear in mind making your breasts smaller is going to make your tummy look bigger which is an added motivation.
The picture you show, which I understand is not yourself is of someone with round implants that look high as her preexisting ptosis has not been corrected. I understand you had a lift too. In this situation there is extra stiffness in the lower pole of the breast so implants can take longer to drop. I generally wait 6 months before revising as drop can happen between 6 weeks and 6 months. Textured implants do drop as only about 30% really adhere. Polyurethane covered implants do not drop however and do need early revision.
I advise patients not to exercise other than walking for 6 weeks postop. Trouble is, if you tear the muscle repair you get a pain like a stitch in your abdomen for 2 months. That would really set you back. The muscle repair is effectively a hernia repair and it is going to take a while to heal.
While it is unusual to have this much pain post abdominoplasty at this stage it is not unheard of. In the absence of unusual swellings or asymmetries that could be a surgical problem like hematoma you may have a rectus tear. I would recommend physiotherapy. Muscle release above and below your abdomen will help you gain upright posture and relax your rectus spasm.
