Finally writing my review of Dr Alex Karidis, whom I had Gynecomastia excision and liposuction with, back in January 2017. I first had my initial consultation for the procedure in December 2016, at the Karidis clinic attached to St Johns Wood Hospital in London. The clinic itself is slick, modern and feels very professional which ran parallel to my overall consultation experience. Contrasting to a previous doctor I saw, I didn't feel Dr Karidis played up to any insecurities I had. Actually saying we could make a small change to a small problem. I left feeling in good hands so paid my deposit and booked surgery for January 2017. The hospital at St Johns Wood is very upscale and in some ways the whole day felt a bit more like being at a hotel rather than a hospital. Dr Karidis came down to my room, marked me up and off I went. I woke up to probably one of the best lunches of my life and an ice pack covering my chest. After spending a few more hours in hospital I left with a compression garment to be worn for the next 6 weeks if I remember correctly. (I did as was instructed at the time, however the instructions are escaping me) Recovery was fairly fast and I gained my range of motion and sensation back very quickly. 6 weeks post my chest was looking good, however I had a nodule of swelling in the right nipple that hung around, despite massaging, for around 4 months I would say. This wouldn't be visible to the untrained eye, but for myself I could feel it was there. So writing this at 9 months after surgery(see pic attached) I can genuinely say this was the best decision. To be confident without a top on is such a freeing experience, to which I completely owe Dr Karidis. If you need this surgery, he is your man!
I am a 56 year old female and have just had Ultherapy (lower face and neck) and Botox (3 areas). The procedure was at a London clinc which had been recommended to me. I was very apprehensive as had been told the treatment was very painful, and yes it was, but not unbearable. I was given painkillers 40 mins before treatment and gas and air during treatment. I have a thin face, high cheekbones, and felt that i was not yet a ready for surgery, but wanted a treatment that would give tightening to the jaw and cheek area which were becoming 'slack'.. 4 days on and i have bruising to the jaw line and the treated area is quite tender to the touch and slightly swollen. I had Botox to the eye and forehead (I have been having Botox for 10 Years with great results) Mr Karidis did not think I had I enough loose skin around the eye area to warrant Ultherapy. I am not going to sit back and wait for the 3 months the treatment supposedly takes to work. I have had reports that you may see improvement from about 6 weeks. So fingers crossed. ps I started taking a collagen supplement 2 weeks ago which i am hoping will help? Updated on 29 Oct 2013: Swelling has gone down but still have a lot of bruising to cheeks (now yellow) and under jaw line. I have 2 very black/blue bruises on my jaw line at either side of my chin (photos to follow). Was not expecting this amount of bruising although i do bruise quite easily! Very tender to touch. Luckily I am able to work from home as make-up would not cover these marks. I am going to a 50th birthday party at my partners golf club in 4 days time so am keeping my fingers crossed there will be a big improvement by then. My advise to any of you ladies having this treatment is to expect the worst and not make plans to go anywhere for 2 weeks after the treatment.
I guess the best place to start is the beginning, so here goes - grab yourself a cuppa and a biscuit or two!! From a young age I didn't like my boobs, not just that they were small, but I didn't like the shape either, especially the position of my nips. I had always wanted a boob job, but in reality didn't imagine I would ever have one. And then my mum had surgery. So I actually knew a real life person who had plastic surgery, not that any of this is her fault, just that it made it more accessible. My 'dream' if you will became a possible reality and at the ripe old age of 24, I had a BA 290 cc PIP implants behind the muscle, this was in 2004. I had no problems at all, I healed very well and loved my boobs.. I went from a 34b to a 34d. I was informed that they would have a shelf life of 10-15 years and was happy with that. I remember so clearly the first time they bounced as I ran up the stairs, I loved it! I hate that feeling now. I feel defined by my boobs and don't want to be. So, moving forward, at the back end of 2004 I met my husband to be (if only I had met him earlier) and in 2010 we had our first earth baby and she guzzled from me for 6 months, and another then beautiful girl arrived in March this year. Only feeding didn't go to well with our second baby as I developed bad mastitis, which in turn triggered the capsular contracture, it's a grade 4 too so very painful. I've had it since May and for a while was fobbed off with "engorgement". It took until October for it to finally be confirmed. I found out I had the PiPs in January, and have been desperate to get them out ever since, but I had to finish up breast feeding and then let my body settle. I knew quite quickly that I didn't want them replacing, and that I would need a lift. In the words of Mr Karidis "they've sagged haven't they" - good job I was over the baby blues otherwise I would have burst into tears there and then! Then I found this website, and it was such an inspiration, so many brave women explanting and being so happy with their figures. I began to doubt my decision and started to think that other people's idea of happiness was mine. I nearly lost my operation slot because I couldn't make a firm decision about what to do. So I spoke with my sister, and she told me something that really made me think, "you can get money back Lyns, but not time. All this time you are spending agonising over what to do you will never get back, just go for and have the lift, you know what you thought of your boobs before, and after breast feeding two they aren't going to be any better"! Even my husband told me very honestly, that I was spending too much time on the internet looking at other people's ideals, and face it, I hated my boobs before implants, so the best bet was to have a lift and stand a chance of being happy with small and perky boobs. And then it all made sense, my idea of happiness, how my body is going to look and make me feel is what matters. If only my nipples were in what I call the 'correct' position, I've have 'em out and be done with it. So I'm booked, 1st November I'm back off to London to get these toxic [RS bleep] bags out of me, to end the pain of the capsular contracture, and have my little lift and my nips face forward where they belong!!! I'm nervous, excited and hopeful. Photos to follow...... Updated on 28 Oct 2012: I was just counting and realised its just four more sleeps to explant. I have nothing ready..... Both my Bubbas are poorly, and it's time consuming and hard work managing them both. Don't like to ask for help as am gonna need to once op is done. Hubby can only take a few days off with me. I keep looking at boobs and wonder just how much I will miss them. I've had them so long now. Weight loss is going well, 7.5lb in 4 weeks so I'm pleased about that. Back to small boobs and push up bras. Am I too old for that now??!! I'm glad I'm not waiting until the end of my maternity leave to get this done, I'll be two months into recovery by the time I go back to work and maybe, just maybe no one will notice!! Apart from the token boob pervs!! Here's hoping my little princesses get better and I sleep well tonight!! Need to get backside into gear, get ready and do some pics. Peace and happy healing to all. X Updated on 31 Oct 2012: I've added my pics. My boobs look awful. So veiny and matronly. I have no idea why my husband finds me attractive. The contracture is painful again after falling over and landing on my boob. Off do a soak, pluck preen and pamper (for all of ten minutes while peppa pig babysits the girls!!) Updated on 1 Nov 2012: Sat waiting to be 'consented' now. We were an hour late as there was a terrible accident on the M1, but Mr Karidis generally runs late. Hopefully should be going to theatre in an hour or so, I've selected my dinner and breakfast - I'm starving - changed into the highly fashionable paper pants and am relaxing. Next time I post I will be implant free. No more rock hard capsulated painful boob. Get me in there, I can't wait!! Wish me luck....... Updated on 2 Nov 2012: Well helloooooo ladies, I'm free of the [RS bleep] bags, I feel amazing. I'm sore and swollen and slightly uncomfortable but so light and relieved. This time last night I was quite literally under the knife. Implants removed and awful capsule taken away, boobies lifted and now nice and perky. They are so soft and I am so happy. Home and cosied up in front of the fire, restraining myself from eating all the donuts my mum has left us. It's all been a bit too much to bear for my 2 year old and she has been acting up since we got home. Anyhoo, for every silver lining there is a cloud.... Mr Karidis came to talk to me this morning and said that everything had gone well with the operation but the capsule on my left breast was very thick, inflamed and had traces of blood in it. Hospital procedure is to offer me testing for anaplastic carcinoma, (basically a large cell lymphoma that appears in the scar capsules around breast implants - as well as other parts of the body), the chances of me having it are 1 in 500,000 but I'm slightly worried nonetheless. Mr Karidis says he is 99.9% sure that it is due to my tumble and landing on my breast, but obviously better to be safe. Hubby is really worried, between me and the girls I think we are responsible for some of his grey hairs!! The cost of the testing is phenomenal, and they won't allow us to have it done on the nhs! So we've consented to the initial testing and anything else I will stand firm and insist it is followed up by our gp and local hospital. We can't keep travelling to London. So, after that shitty bit of reading, cheer yourself up with my new pics!! What sports bras are people wearing? Can't get comfy in mine. Updated on 5 Nov 2012: Morning all, so it's kind of day 4 for me, because I had surgery so late on Thursday. I feel like I'm doing really well, I'm definitely on a high and wonder if I will crash soon. Probably today as I'm on my own with both girls for majority of the day. Boobs feel good though, I can feel both nipples and boobs are generally itchy which I'm taking as a good sign of healing, not really just getting chance to just rest because of girlies. Sports bras have been bugging me so I bought a seamless bra from sainsburys which was a relief to wear, but after a while I just didn't feel supported and noticed an increase in swelling, so back to the tight ones. I'm trying to give myself a little break throughout the day and just pulling bra down instead of taking on and off. Lack of being able to just jump in the shower is annoying, baths are so time consuming. I'm counting the days to get the dressings off!! I noticed a little jiggle when I was walking yesterday, so nice. It's amazing how much my body image has changed over the years and that I'm loving small boobs now, fake [RS bleep] are so over!! I've added some more pics too. No rest for the wicked, a horrible smell is creeping over from my bubba...... Updated on 6 Nov 2012: I'm having a moan - my boobs are so itchy!! The dressings are p***ing me off, tight and itchy and so uncomfortable, and they don't come off for another 8 days..... I suppose itchiness is a good sign of everything healing well underneath but I'm going a bit crackers. I don't feel properly clean either, shallow baths and then having to wash hair over the side, its horrible. I love a good long shower me, lots of lovely smelling body wash, a good steam and then come out feeling squeaky!! Rock on next week. Updated on 10 Nov 2012: Day 9 and I'm in pain. Have just been to walk in doctors as my left breast is swollen and hot. They have prescribed me any biotics and more painkillers but said if it worsens I may have to go to hospital for IV anti biotics :( I'm so upset. Hubby has compulsary overtime all wknd so no one to help with girlies and I hate feeling this way around them, especially as I'm practically one handed. So I'm going to double dose the anti biotics for 24 hrs, get things moving and when I can hold it together long enough, ring my surgeons nurse to see if I can get an earlier appointment. Hope everyone is well. Updated on 13 Nov 2012: Well yesterday I went back to see my PS and his nurse, they removed my dressings and all looks healthy and well underneath so no probs there. However he seems to think the swelling is a hematoma, he used an awfully long needle and tried to aspirate the blood, but due to the hardness he states it is congealed. I now have to wait for my body to break it down and re absorb it. The other thing that may happen ( and the nurse spoke about this a lot) is that is may liquefy and just "pour out". She says this is really common. Bleugh! I'm really please with how right boob is settling, lovely and soft and booby like. How did I ever think that rock hard boobs were a good option? Due to swelling on left I feel like I have a small implant in there and hate the way it looks. And it is very painful too. I hope it disperses soon, feeling miserable about it and hate feeling like this. Updated on 14 Nov 2012: Wow, my boobs ITCH!!!! My skin is hypersensitive and I have never experienced this before. I have not got a thin cotton vest on and then my support bra on top and for the moment this is providing some relief. I just can't bear anything on them though to be honest. But gone are the days of being child free and just being able to lie down, [RS bleep] oot with cold flannels on. Am also getting some shooting pains but I think that is the nerves knitting back together. Am thinking about going for some healing to help with left boobie, anything to help with this pain. Hope everyone else is doing well. Updated on 16 Nov 2012: Well I went for appointment at the breast clinic today, and saw a lovely surgeon who didn't feel that my swelling was an abcess because of how hard it was, but to be sure she sent me for an ultrasound. Radiographer couldn't call it either so she called another doc for a second opinion. She felt it was a hematoma, but would attempt to aspirate to see if anything came off. I shouldn't have looked at the size of the cannula they were going to use, but I did! The lovely ladies put me at ease thou and gave me a local anaesthetic, so I just turned away and shut my eyes. All 3 of them gasped when pus started coming up the syringe, after syringe, after syringe. Nearly 150 mls in all, (150!!!!!!!!) and then I couldn't bear anymore because it became really painful so they stopped. And boy could you see a difference in the shape of my left breast. So much for the PS nurse saying "I've never seen an abcess post surgery if that reassures you.........." When I rang for advice - well now you have love (heard at least, I'll mail the pics). Anyhow, I still have swelling and it may well fill up again, and I will need it draining again, but I am happy with that and just glad that I am being listened to, good old nhs eh? So, two lots of anti biotics to be getting on with, a follow up on Monday and hopefully on the road to recovery. I'm glad I listened to my body and went to see my gp who got the ball rolling and pronto treatment for me, I did feel that a diagnosis of hematoma made purely on a physical exam was a bit daft, how can you be so sure without a scan?? I'm starting to lose faith in my surgeon and his team, which is a shame given his high profile status. But I won't let that spoil things, and I'm keeping it all crossed medicine works, but if I need more drainage I know what's it store. I'm still in pain but it is far more manageable, here's hoping it continues to get better. I'll post some pics of boob post draining, not taken pics since. Updated on 16 Nov 2012: Pics upside down, sorry for the neck ache!!! Updated on 19 Nov 2012: I went back to the hospital today for my review, and had another 95 mls of fluid drained from my breast, not pleasant! But still, better out than in and I'm feeling so looked after. I have to go back again on Wednesday for another check, they said that it is good that the amount of fluid is reducing, but still an awful lot to be draining off. I'm disappointed with the PS team, having been dismissive of me having an abscess in the first place, to then having one diagnosed, their concern has been somewhat limited. In comparison to my initial experience for my BA, I do feel a little let down this time - they were supposed to call me for an update today following my check up, but haven't. On the plus side, my boob is starting to feel my like a boob and look less like I have an implant still in there, I have also been able to pick up my baby more confidently on the right hand side (the one with no problems) and give her little cuddles. Same goes for my toddle, she has been able to snuggle in for her bedtime stories, feels so good. Size wise, I seem to be settling and comfortable in a 34C sports bra, I have tried the 34B but it is too tight. To be honest, I'm not bothered about the final size, I have the awful implants out and feel lovely with soft natural boobs. Yes I've lost my resting place for a cup of tea, but in return I've got the confidence to stroll round topless and feel great!!! Hope all is well with everyone else - touch wood, the itchy phase has passed now. Xx Updated on 21 Nov 2012: Just been back to hosp and ha another 50 mls drained :( that's 300 mls in 5 days! At least the volume is decreasing though. On another two weeks of anti biotics so think I might get some pro biotics to help tummy. Back again on fri for another u/s and hopefully last drain or even better none at all. Poor boobie is very bruised from all the needles, but at least it is getting better. Updated on 27 Nov 2012: Well I was back at the hospital yesterday and had another 20 mls drained from poorly boob. That's 330ml over 5 visits - crazy!! Consultant says everything is going in the right direction and I get a slight reprieve as instead of going every other day for treatment I don't have to go back until Friday!! Another week and a half left on anti biotics. Apparently these things take a long time to heal. I hope when I go back no more has built up, not sure my boobie can take much more. Will add pic of bruise!
Hi all fellow explanters and explanters-to-be. I am due to be 'freed' of fakery in 8 days. YEH. I had my silicone gel 310cc implants done 9 years ago by Alex Karidis at St John St Elizabeth Hopsital. I was almost 31 at the time and had long researched it as had wanted them since I was a 17 as I was teased at school, felt inadequate, and as I got older and after having my 2 kids - out of proportion. I put on weight anywhere but my bust :(. I was married at the time of BA and my husband supported my decision to get them but wasn't bothered either way so it really was my decision. I went from a 36A to a 36C. Presently I am a 38C as always put weight on my back. I liked the look of my implants once they had settled over the years BUT (I like BIG BUTS a this point) until I took some photos of them for here the other night I thought, YUK. Now I think they look sooo ugly and hope to get something back of my former, smaller, perter self. ALSO, I can no longer stand that my breast sensitivy and nipple sensation has been ruined. My fake boobs are painful and that makes for no good - espescially in initmate circumstances. I also feel, probabaly down to my abysmal post-divorce relationships that implants have objectified me. I want to be appreciated for the person inside and at almost 40 I am on a journey to re-discover myself. I also discovered I have the 'dreaded' PIPs and as my surgeon is offering to remove them for free, I would be mad not tot take the opportunity to GET THEM OUT!! No more worries about future costs and health implications to do with these blobs. I am, at present, more excited than scared. Yes I may miss being bigger for a while but the size of our boobs should not define us! I want to set an example to my teenagers to love their bodies naturally. They are much more confident than I was. The silicone was just a temporary fix... Posting some pics and will keep y'all updated when my little ones return...xx Updated on 9 Oct 2012: Well today I received my pre-op pack of instructions and forms to sign, post-op instructions etc, and was happy that I was sent plenty of Arnica tablets gratis. Arnica is great for aiding healing naturally. Now I 've just remembered that I forgot to pick up some scar pads - those moist gels ones. They worked wonders when I had my BA so fingers crossed they will again. Had my bloods done too so it's really hitting home. Not enough in one phial so have to go back to my GP at 8 in the morning. Really can't wait as my left breast is niggling me with this pain which has almost been constant for the last 2 days. Now praying my blood results will come back in time and be ok to proceed. Six days to now! I was thinking - should I keep the implants - as a post-op souvenir? When I was going through my divorce - my ex husband started a joke website called 'Boobs for Justice' (a spoof on 'Fathers for Justice' - the paternal, custody rights campaign for divorced/separated men). He put a mission statement on there saying something to the effect of how men should get a right of regular access to their ex-wives 'fake' breasts. At the time I had to laugh it off even though he was being an A-hole. Well, many thought, (especially other guys) it was hilarious. So I thought, if I do keep them, I could wrap them up for his impending birthday. HEHEHE. Updated on 16 Oct 2012: I am gowned-up, in my room at hospital, have seen the anaesthestist and Dr. Karidis who said I will be going into theatre about 10.30. He took some pre op pics and asked if I was totally sure about this and I said 'yes' though I have had some doubts since yesterday and did get emotional. I will miss having a full C/D bust and being more in proportion. However, my health has to come first and I am determined to get the extra weight off through exercise. Feeling pretty relaxed at the moment. Staff here have been lovely. I will try and post later on today post op. Updated on 16 Oct 2012: I was out if theatre by 12 and could not believe I woke with no pain or sickness! Just a wee bit sore where incisions made. Had a peek at boobs when nurse put my sports bra on. Nipples ok. No more bulgy vein on left side. And the feel as soft as putty which is much nicer I think. Enjoying a super lunch now. So far - very pleased! Thanks for the good luck messages. X x Updated on 16 Oct 2012: Been home almost 4 hours and feel very relaxed. Only had one painkiller (Paracetamol I think) at the hospital about 2.30 and didn't really need it. Just slightly sore under the dressings but sooo coeable at the moment. Brought my PIPs home and said to the kids it would be fun to make them into some modern art and disguise them completely and have guests say, 'I love your lamp' or whatever... Anyway, I am very deflated as expected and ddn't fill the B cup bra I was advised to get (had bought 2). Did anyone's size change once fluffed up? I guess I'll go back to being an A-cup though. Keep having a peek at them every once in a while and will take and post some pics later tonight. Still can't believe how soft they feel. And though the skin is so soft it doesn't look stretched and veiny (my BA breasts always looked much paler too). A short while ago I had a little spontaneous sensation in my left breast but think it will be some time maybe before proper sensation returns IF it is to. Nurse said it's okay to take off my sports bra once in a while - luckily I took another - Reebok one - that fits perfectly presently. I will be going for a post op check in 2 weeks to have the dressings removed. Stitches are desolvable. All the staff were fantastic today and family and friends that know - including you lovelies who have sent messages on her have been really supportive! I wish all you ladies the very best! [RS bleep] Updated on 19 Oct 2012: Day 4 post op: thought I'd give a little update. Got a really good night's sleep last night which was needed. Yesterday the soreness kicked in a little more under the dressings as I could feel the stitches knitting the skin together and getting some itchiness too. Pain scale only 2/3 out of 10 and just feels like a tight rubber band under my ribs where the dressings are. Obviously boobs still look quite flat/floppy but the dents by armpit area are gradually diminishing. I had got a bust firming serum from Marks and Spencers (£12) last week with lots of lovely botanicals 'ADVANCED BODY FORMULA - SOLUTIONS BEAUTIFUL BREAST FIRMING SERUM'. It's not perfumed and soaks into the skin lovely and my decolletage area has never felt so smooth and hydrated. Been putting this on morning and night since the op. Just trying to keep positive about the whole 'fluffing up' and saying to my body 'I know I've hurt you and you need time'. Just so glad I can't feel all my nerves being under the pressure of those horrid implants and they ARE getting the chance to heal. What a joy to get an itch I CAN scratch! The positives of feelings far outway the aesthetics - which I know will improve given time, time, time... Guess once the dressings come off and I feel ready to go shopping for new bras I'll feel like a bit of a teenager/young woman again. Gonna find me the prettiest bargains I can to cherish my new small bust with! Focusing on my writing career will hopefully help take my make my mind off them, and I feel ready to give it my all again now I'm non-toxic. Strange how life imitates art as 'small boobs' is a main issue for one of my characters who is on a journey to love herself. If I had to pick a field I'd say the grass is greener on the natural side, but I will also, always understand and be sympathetic to the reasons why most women turn to cosmetic surgery. I'm just so grateful I got the chance to undo some of the damage I've inflicted on my body over the years. Peace, hope and love to all my sisters. xx Updated on 24 Oct 2012: I know it's only day 8 post op but thought I'd measure myself as I need another sports bra as the one I have squashes my nipples and I am worried they'll cave in (left one always looks a little droppy when I take off the bra) so thought I'd try and get a new one - with an actual size attached. However, I'm getting some really odd measurements from various websites/bra size calculators. I think - and this is a really odd size - and I am really, really out of proportion - a 38 A. Though I've had a range of AA to even a D cup on some websites!!! Ridonculous for the D cup!! Possible that I'm only an AA. 38 A bras are quite hard to get as this size is barely catered for. The 38 B sports bras I bought from Tescos do not offer a 38 A size instead. If were a 36 I would have more options - that was my pre BA size and for many years after I was the perfect 36C cup, but I've put weight on the last 2 years and my 32 inch waist measurement is around a size 14-16 according to - again - 'standard' UK size charts. Has anyone else got an odd size as in - large band - small cup? If so, any advice on where to buy bras - and not just plain ones that look like training bras for teenagers which are referred to as 'crop tops' ? I know it's early days yet to go proper 'nice' bra shopping but I was very curious to see what's out there already. Maybe when I fluff up (hopefully) I'll go back to a 36. Some women who've explanted have said they go smaller - by that do you mean band width or cup size or both? Always confusing and I usually just go with what fits and feels comfortable in the end. Can't wait to hit the gym after the dressings are off and drop some serious weight so I don't look like Baba Papa lol! Nonetheless, I've accepted that at almost forty my body has changed a lot and I'll never be the slender twenty-something I once was and if I'm meant to be bottom heavy then so be it. As long as I'm healthy that's the main thing. Maybe I'll concentrate on my gluts more and get some magic underwear for the hips and belly! Never thought I'd actually say that hehehe. All in all I like the 'look down' view of my boobs - small but perky-ish. They disappear when I lie down lol but least they don't sit upright like to hard domes, with my poor little nipples sitting erect like glace cherries on Belgian buns. When my nipples were erect on those bangers (most of the time) they looked out of proportion. The only pain I have on occassion in the actual breast is a very mild, dull ache where I guess the inner tissue/nerves are slowly healing. I know my concerns are trivial compared to some of you brave explanters who have had awful problems as a result of your BAs and having cancer worries etc or finding it harder to adjust post explant and I'm in awe of your courage and candid posts. In a way, it's helped me put things in perspective and make me realise how blessed I am. I also hope if I do meet someone in the future he will be attracted to the woman 'in me'. If not, he can take hike lol. I wish all brighter days! xxs Updated on 24 Oct 2012: I have ordered some wheatgrass powder to put in juices and smoothies. Apparently it has loads of healthy properties and helps with cell regeneraton so thought I'd try it. Oh and my ex husband came round to see the kids and I gae himhis early birthday present wrapped up and he thought it was a book or something and the looke on his face when he opened implants still in their clinical waste packaging! With a note FOR JUSTICE...HAPPY BOOBDAY. "What the (bleeps) this?" His expression - priceless. Me and the kids were in stictches and so was he once he realised what they were. Funnily, he said he was going to ask me for one before I explanted and wants to make a display feature or use it as a stressball. So he has one and I have one. I think if mine does go on dispay I put RIP above the PIP. Updated on 30 Oct 2012: Hey ladies! Had my first post op check today with Mr Karidis' nurse and scars looking good now the dressings are off. They're about 1 and half to 2 inches wide at a guess. My (sensitive) skin's a bit rash-ridden from the dressings so will post pics when that's gone down - hopefully soon, but definitely seeing an improvement in the firmness. Have a decent handful if I cup my boobs now and that's enough for me! A tad tender still if I press them and still numb underneath the nipple area unfortunately, but overall I'm really pleased with the progress. Got to see Mr Karidis next time - in about a month and I'm to keep wearing the sports bra and can massage the breast (which I have been doing) but not the scar for another few weeks. Hope you are all well. [RS bleep] Updated on 1 Nov 2012: A few more pics to show progress. Took them yesterday day 16; 15 days after explant. Updated on 11 Dec 2012: Hey ladies! I haven't been on here for a while as started a new job a few weeks ago so life's been pretty hectic since, and for a while I hadn' thought too much on my post-op boobs. I have to say it's weird looking at my most recent update pics on here because my boobs definitely look bigger than they actually are. Guess I am feeling it more at the mo as the women (all younger) I work with, have natural (I presume) big boobies, so feeling a bit deflated at present. Does that sound awfully lame and selfish? Don't get me wrong, I have no regrets about having my implants removed, but as I haven't lost any weight elsewhere, I am terribly out of proportion which is what I was worried about. Not much up for getting dressed-up for our Christmas party next week - and it's areal posh do! Today I tried to get a padded strapless bra that fitted...No chance. Couldn't even fill an A-cup in Marks and Spencers, and had a bit of a cry in the changing rooms, and as I do lately, vowed never to let a man see me naked again. Looks like I'll have to go without a bra for the night if am to wear the evening dress I have in mind. Maybe get the magic knckers instead lol. A full-A cup is on my Christmas list! Hope you ladies are all well! XX Updated on 1 Jan 2013: Just wanted to wish everyone on here a happy and healthy new year for 2013! I also went for a proper bra fitting yesterday and was surprised to be told I was wearing completely the wrong size at 38A and I am in fact a 34C. Hey presto when I tried on some new bras they fitted lovely because though I don't protude as much as I used to I still have the width on each breast. Got some nice padded plunge bras so feeling more confident for the new year ahead, and, that I at last have the right bust support. Onwards and upwards to all of us on here! Updated on 6 Jan 2013: I am almost 4 months post explant and just since a few days ago my boobs have started to feel a little heavier and painful. I guess the nerves are really starting to knit back now as though due on, I never used to get sore breasts or weight change there - before my BA. Pleased to say I have a decent enough handful now they are firming up. Went shopping for some more pretty bras and am anything (averagely) between a 34 - 36 B I would say, though some of my old 36 C bras fit too. Just goes to show how different bra makes comes up so different in size and shape. Has anyone else noticed more of change around the 4th month? Updated on 31 May 2013: Hey Ladies, I am 7 and half months post explant now and just tried on a lot of my BA bras (36Cs and even some Ds) that fit me again! Unbelievable! Of course I don't have the bulging fake cleavage but I can do without that. What I don't have in front I make up for in width (have always had very wide boobs, so I can tell you there's a good chance of having a good handful months down the line after your op. Still a bit numb in some areas as I was from having implants, but on the whole they aren't painful to touch like they were with implants in. Sometimes they get a little sore naturally and I think they are still healing even now - which is good and the body tissue changes heaps over time. Oh and had a bit of 'crease smile' under my left nipple which seems to have gone now too. Hope this helps and gives hope! X
Hi, I have had pips in now since November 2002 after breast feeding two children and wanting to get the fullness back in my breasts, as to me they looked like 34B empty sacks. Went to a 34D at first but as time has gone by and put on a bit of weight and ot older i am now a 36E and they feel very heavy. Started having pain in them a few months before pip scandal broke but ultasound and mri tests came back all clear. Went back to original surgeon and explained about problems with pain I had and that pip scandal had made me feel worse. He said he was happy to help and that I would suit a replacement as they would look empty and droopy if I didn't have them replaced! Felt he was too quick to push me in for a replacement at £3800 cost without considering my feelings. Went home and soul searched and talked it over with my husband who never wanted me to have them done in the first place but will always support me whatever I choose and decided i didnt want the hassle of having to go through a replacement in another 10-15 years time as not getting any younger so decided to just get them removed and be done with it, the relief I felt after that decision was brilliant and pressure of not having to find the money for replacements gone and thinking uncomfortableness will all be over very soon. Am due to get my explant in two days time and now starting to get really nervous about the operation, worrying about being put to sleep and pain after etc is that normal?Updated on 18 Jul 2012:Well its the night before my op and I'm so anxious! I'm having to get up at something 4am to be at hospital for 7am, as I'm first down at 8am. In some ways wish I wasn't having op cos of how its making me feel but know its gotta to be sometime so best to get it over with. Isn't hindsight a wonderful thing! Wished I chickened out of the op when I was having the dreaded pip's put in!Updated on 20 Jul 2012:Well its the day after my surgery and all went well. Was pleased that surgeon supported my decision and said that you should do what ultimately makes you happy and comfortable. I'm getting quite a bit of pain from my breasts today, which I'm quite surprised about as wasn't expecting quite so much but it is bearable with paracetemol. Finding it hard to sleep on my back though last night so feeling quite tired today. Really pleased that implants are out though. Just concentrating on getting better now;-) will pst some piccies of before and after shortly.Updated on 21 Jul 2012:It's my second day after my op and I'm still feeling a little groggy although I'm not getting much pain from my breasts (taking paracetemol every 6 hours). Been out for a short walk but getting tired quick so still taking it easy. I think the worse thing after the op has been having to sleep on my back, can't get comfy at all and end up with a stiff neck/headache. Have been waking up every few hours in the night with backache so feeling a little fuzzy in the morning. Still no regrets though;-) and loving the feeling of smaller breasts again.
I had the first part of the procedure done a week ago, done by a highly experienced and very professional nurse technician at a plastic surgeon's office. I had done a lot of research, so knew what to expect - including the pain. I have a pretty high pain threshold, but was worried at my consultation when she told me all they use are oral painkillers, co-codamol and gas+air. I still chose to proceed, and don't regret it for a second. It certainly stung near the jaw and cheekbone and we had to go pretty slowly at times, but other places I hardly felt it. So, I think it's important when reading these reviews that you understand each person will have a different experience with the pain. If you are very worried you'll have too much pain - press this issue with your doctor, or consider another procedure. This isn't for everyone, but it doesn't mean the technology isn't good. (I found deep breathing and visualization really helped too - worth practicing!) We did one pass all over lower face and under chin with the deep transducer, and then under chin with the mid-depth. The tech decided to stop there because I was quite flushed (I blush easily) and even though I felt fine about continuing, she didn't want to injure me so we rescheduled for a weeks' time to finish up. Though I was disappointed not to finish there and then (impatient!), I was very grateful the nurse was so conscientious. She called me the next day (a Sunday, no less, her day off) to see how I was feeling, and midweek to check again. I returned yesterday for the final bit, and really, the results are impressive already. My nasolabial lines are halved, and my jowly bits have softened. The only area where the jury is out is my under-chin which did swell a bit and where I feel the skin is a bit more lax, but we're taking a wait-and-see approach - they may be able to attend to this with more lines on the sides of my neck to effectively pull it up, which they have offered in case we don't see improvement. (The swelling is going down daily and it's nothing worrying). I also had one line which went through my cheek and I could sense it inside my mouth when it happened. This sounds much worse than it really was, it was just weird. I had the line in my mouth for a few days but it was entirely painless, and teeny. My jaw is still a little tender, but in a weirdly satisfying way! It means it's working... So, all in all, I'm a very happy customer and if the results are this good now I can't wait for the final result. I highly recommend it if you are prepared for the pain, but as with me, it may not be that bad for you. Do think hard about it. The nurse did report that there were people who had to call off the procedure because it was too excruciating. I do think that being mentally prepared can help enormously. If you're stressy about pain, this might not be best for you.
Hey everyone! I'm a 19 year old male in the UK that has suffered from gynecomastia from about the age of 10. I am planning to have the surgery in mid August and wanted to share my journey with you :) Updated on 26 Jul 2020: So, I’m all booked in at Karidis Clinic with Alex Karidis for the middle of August! I’m so excited as it’s getting closer and closer to the date! I’m going to update this with some pictures soon and keep updating as time goes on, especially around the surgery date with pictures and whatnot so that everyone gets a very clear cut picture of what happens/how my experience is! Luke Updated on 10 Aug 2020: So as my surgery draws closer (this week!) I thought I would take some photos that are pre-op so that there is a good comparison. I took the photos to kind of show the full extent of the gyno with no covering up or trying to hide it as most of us will do in public. Updated on 10 Aug 2020: Seems they didn’t post in the last one, here they are!
I had Ulthera done yesterday on lower face and neck (in London, where the procedure is still relatively new). I'm 41 and just this year my skin appears to be losing elasticity and my face is becoming more square at the jaw. During the consultation the doctor scared me a lot about the pain (and the technician who performed the procedure confessed that she was not going to do it herself because of the pain factor, even though she definitely needed it if you know what i mean). They brought in the oxygen they give to women during childbirth and said a couple of patients that week chose to do it under general anesthesia. So I was predictably nervous about the pain and prepared myself psychologically for an hour of hell. Well, the pain was totally tolerable. I've done Fraxel before and it's definitely more painful and uncomfortable. The most similar sensation I can describe is that of IPL hair removal, which I found more painful (particularly in the bikini area). The pain from Ulthera is like a zapping and twitching feeling in the deep layers of the skin, and it hurts the most near the bone. But overall I would say the procedure is more tolerable than IPL hair removal, and lasts about the same. I had not immediate side effects and was able to just leave and go back to work. Today I have slightly swollen cheeks but no visible external sign that I had the procedure done. The skin on the cheekbones is slightly tender to the touch, but i haven't lost sensation of anything like that. I can't say I see any immediate effect, either in terms of lifting or sking laxity, but I'll update in a month or so. I hope that it's not a case of "no pain, no gain", and that the procedure will still be effective in spite of the easiness of it Updated on 9 Jul 2013: it is now a month after the treatment and possibly i am beginning to notice some improvement, especially in one laugh line, which is definitely less visible. the skin texture on the cheeks is also definitely improved. maybe there is also a slight improvement in the skin firmness below the chin (but not on the neck, which is still as lax as ever) Updated on 23 Jul 2013: Just over two months from procedure and the skin texture has improved a lot. Much better than fraxel, with the only downside that you can see the difference in pores and texture between treated and untreated areas. As far as lifting, not much to report yet. improvement is continuing in the laugh lines, but nothing on the neck yet. Maybe a slight reduction in marionette lines but very very subtle Updated on 19 Aug 2013: I think i am now finally beginning to see some lifting and tightening effect. It almost happened suddenly, and as recently as two weeks ago I would have said there was not effect at all on my neck. I came back from the holidays and my friend has noticed that my neck looks tighter and the horizontal bands that I had before are visibly more shallow. The skin under my chin also feels more compact and it has tightened a bit (although not massively). Maybe the least effect is on the jowls, where the skin still feels loose and there is only the slightest improvement. The laugh lines have stopped improving after the two months mark, so I'm now thinking that they are probably due to the loss of fat in the face as opposed to loose skin. I am now thinking of doing a bit of cheek filler (but kind of scared of looking fake). Overall I would say it's all very gradual and the changes are subtle, but it was worth doing it. I am now saving up to do the eyes and forehead, as I figure at the very least the skin texture will improve and there are really no downsides to the procedure (except the cost, of course). Updated on 8 Oct 2013: Hi have updated the rating to the procedure as not worth it because, after 5 months I can't say that I see any change in the tightness of my neck or jowls. Maybe there is a little improvement in the depth of the nasolabial fold but, frankly, I can't say that this procedure was worth the money. It is definitely not a facelift. The skin around my jaw, under the chin and on my neck feels as loose as it was five months ago. In the meantime, I see that I'm losing some of the fullness in the cheeks so, if anything, my jowls have gotten worse. I think I'm going to wait a few years and go for some very little amounts of cheek filler in a few months and then save for a lower face and neck lift in three years, as Ulthera is really too expensive for what it does. Updated on 31 May 2014: After trying Ultherapy from two different (top) doctors in London, on lower face and eye area I can say with great confidence that IT DOES NOT WORK!!! I wish I had saved the £3000 for a facelift. What a total waste of money, I am angry with myself for falling into the trap. I did a lower face procedure in June 2013 and saw ZERO effect on the jowls and neck, which are now definitely worse than last year. I then tried a different doctor for the eyes and around the lips areas. I saw no difference on the eyes whatsoever, and maybe a little bit of a difference around the lips (which at least didn't cost much - around £300 - and since that's a tricky area to treat otherwise and achieve natural results, I might consider redoing Ulthera for lips in the future, once I start developing smoker lines). Overall, I can say with confidence that this is equivalent to throwing money down the sink. Do not believe the hype!
