I can't believe I've actually gone through with this. I first started to consider a mummy makeover a few years after having my first son and after my body went through the wars with a slipped disc etc. It was 2017 I signed up to RS and starts to explore surgical ways of fixing my distasis recti. I then came across the term "mummy makeover" and realised that aside from the tummy tuck I could also reduce and lift my boobs which had always been massive. 30F from age 18 to 32GG until recently.
I found Mr Marsh on RS and then saw he had a presence on Instagram which made him feel approachable. I have been following him for years, watching his stories demystifying the mummy makeover procedure, being upfront about the fees and also the fact it cost nothing to meet him for that initial consultation.
Anyway I waited. Had my second kid, and waited some more. Always in the hope that maybe I could lose more weight, shrink my boobs and possibly even fix my tummy. I managed to get the weight down but the pandemic hit, with it the stress of working full time, kids remote learning and getting older. I spoke to my husband and said, I want to feel good about my body. I want to be proud to wear a swim suit or even a bikini, not hide in big shorts and t shirts. He asked what I wanted for my 40th, a watch, diamonds... I said a new body!!
So, we finally put this plan into action. Booked a consultation last summer when the waiting list for Mr Marsh was huge. By the time I saw him in December 2020 the list had reduced and the earliest appointment I could get was June 2021. I went for it! The next few months we got a Peloton, got fit and healthy over the dark winter months of lockdown 3 (although I didn't shift much weight according to the scales) and then went through with it.
I won't lie, I was absolutely bricking it the few weeks before surgery. I tried to be as positive as possible spoke to friends who had similar surgery who helped a great deal. A few friends were also super supportive. Not everyone knows as many can be judgemental but I'll most likely tell them in time. On the day itself I had a roller coaster of emotions. The only times I've ever gone under was for emergency and acute medical reasons (broke my arm age 13 and needed a plate, eye surgery in my 20s, back surgery for my slipped disc), so to choose to put myself in pain was totally freaking me out. In the end having to wait for a few hours after admission into the London Welbeck meant that I had to come to terms with it in my own way. In truth the surgery is the easiest bit. The recovery is what takes time and you need to be focused on getting better and doing whatever it take to recover in the best way possible.
Mr Marsh is so lovely and brilliant at what he does. I am in awe of how he transforms our boobs and tummies the way he does! His team at The Plastic Surgery Group are all genuinely down to earth, friendly and supportive. It's still early days as I can see their help and involvement really comes into its own post-surgery but so far would definitely recommend.
Anyway, a long into intro my MM journey. I'll be back to share updates as things progress.
Updated on 18 Jun 2021:
So I’m now 8 days post-op. I’m still oozing from a few places. Suddenly my boobs have started but Emily the nurse at TPSG is so lovely and attentive. I’ve been there for 2 post-op appointments and going back for a third next week. All with the aim of ensuring i don’t get any infection. Thankfully my mum is around to help me load (she’s a retired nurse) so I feel like I’m in safe hands. My skin has reacted to the adhesives from the dressings which is annoying but hopefully it clears up. I’m also only on paracetamol and a bit of morphine at night for sleep. When I left the hospital they gave me paracetamol, methacarbomol and oral morphine. The methacarbomol is a muscle relaxant and I found that worked a treat for me. You have to be mindful you don’t get constipated with the painkillers, thankfully after 3 days I’ve been going like clockwork. The first few days weren’t so bad, as long as you take your meds you’re fine. I’ve had no trouble sleeping until last night which was the first night I went without any heavy meds. No fun! I did start my lymphatic drainage massage day 7 post-op and what a joy that was! I think this will be the highlight of my record period, no doubt! The lady I found is perfect and her treatment room is a true sanctuary with sweet cinnamon smells and her hands are like heaven!
Updated on 22 Jun 2021:
So I’m pretty much off the meds now. Took just some paracetamol last night as it’s usually at the end of the day it gets uncomfortable.
Changing my dressings daily at the moment to stop the oozing and avoid infection. The nurse at The Plastic Surgery Group has been fabulous and given me a decent pack of stuff to use. Currently using silver nitrate on my boobs and a bit of my tummy incision which hasn’t quite healed. The belly button looks like it’s going to take some time as it’s the ooziest bit when I change the dressings.
Finally standing up a bit straighter but not 100%. I feel this needs to happen soon for me to be able to go for long walks and not get back pain. I’ve sneezed once and swear I thought I torn something. Coughing isn’t too bad. Laughing is worse and everyone is hell bent on making me laugh at the mo.
Thank goodness for my mother’s support. My husband is doing his best with our two kids but even that’s not enough. I did a more of activity than usual the other day and my boobs started oozing again!
The lymphatic drainage massage has been a real treat throughout the recovery so far. I’ve been going every other day since 1 week post-op. I have quite a bit of swelling round my navel and on my mons pubis. It’s actually really painful so I’m trying to massage it myself any spare moment I have… which looks funny to anyone who happens to catch me with my hands down my joggers… haha!
Updated on 26 Jun 2021:
So literally after my last update I had a shower and went to change the dressings when my left breast starting oozing. At first I thought it would be okay but noticed a small opening at the T junction underneath the breast. The next day blood was also coming but underneath the left nipple. Since then the oozing turned into blood and 15 days post-op it was confirmed as a hematoma :-(
I honestly haven’t done anything too strenuous. I washed my hair, that’s the only thing I can think could have caused anything. My 3 year old son elbowed me in the same breast a few days after surgery but I doubt it would have caused this. Anyway the Plastic Surgery Group have been so attentive about this. I went into the clinic on Friday and although Dan Marsh wasn’t there, his partner, Mo Akhavani checked me over and drained as much of the hematoma as he could. I’m on antibiotics as a precaution but the bleeding hasn’t stopped unfortunately. It may need a visit to theatre to clean it out and find out what is happening. Obviously I’m down about it but at least the rest of me is healing up really well now. Just a few patches of inadine here, there and on the belly button. I do hope this resolves. I’ve seen some horrific pictures and stories of wounds breaking down and that’s what I really want to avoid.
I’m sharing the downsides here for full disclosure. These things happen, it’s no one’s fault and all we can do is trust our bodies to mend themselves. I have my fingers and toes crossed!!
Updated on 30 Jun 2021:
Earlier this week I was seen by Dan Marsh and thankfully no need for another trip to theatre. He did an amazing job of dealing with the hematoma in the clinic. I got a local anaesthetic and he went in, removed the hematoma, gave it a good clean and checked out what the issue was. It appears to have been a small bleed between two folds of tissue in the breast, most likely happened not long after surgery. Just took a while to rear its head. Also created a space between the tissue so now that needs to come together and heal. He stitched me up with some dissolvable stitches and some regular ones. I was told to expect some leaking and bleeding for a few days before it settles. It will take time to heal so I need to be patient. I’ll be back next week for a check up. Still on antibiotics too. For a day it seemed fine, no bleeding whatsoever but this morning my bed sheets were soiled with blood so changed the dressings and will keep a close eye on it.
The rest of me is doing really well. Scars on tummy and right breast have healed so just plastering E45 on them daily. I had a gap of about 3 days with no lymphatic drainage massage and I felt really tight and lumpy. Also my left hip has developed a ridge most likely due to scar tissue. The massage therapist has recommended LED therapy for scars and swelling. Not sure if anyone here has any experiences or reckons it’s a waste of time and money?! Willing to do anything as my lower abdomen is still very swollen.
Also really want to start stretching my abdomen as it feels so tight when I’m walking. Not sure when I can do that.
Updated on 10 Jul 2021:
Feeling so much more human these days! Standing straight, walking around loads and enjoying my new shape!
My left breast is healing very slowly whereas the rest of me it’s doing very well. I’ve moved onto wearing silicone strips on my TT and right breast T scars (not the nipple area) but after a few days I’ve noticed some skin irritation. It’s so frustrating that I have such sensitive skin. My rash for my op dressings is still visible, all very bizarre and annoying as I have to look at alternatives to keep my skin happy. Tonight (4 weeks + 2 days PO) I decided to give the strips a break and went back to E45. I’ll try them again tomorrow after a break but I may have to look for some alternative options for helping scars. If anyone has any ideas pls share!!
I’ve still got some swelling in the abdo so sticking with the LDM. Booked another 10 sessions but going for 2 a week instead of 3. My therapist is now doing LED light therapy for my TT scar during my sessions so we’ll what that does for the healing process.
I’m also interested to know what people use for swelling as I head out of stage 1 to stage 2 PO. Dan Marsh recommended spanks so may try the few I had pre op before buying some new ones.
Updated on 28 Jul 2021:
It’s been a good few weeks since my last update. I’m busy with work and life. My left breast is very nearly healed. Unfortunately a part of my wound started to over-granulate so had to use hydrocortisone which didn’t work so well but my mum (retired nurse) located a specific ointment which is specific to this wound healing issue so fingers crossed. Still using dressings and now trying to moisturise the skin where I can as it’s so dry. Still not convinced the shape underneath the breast will level out like the right hand side. The vertical scar looks bad due to the hematoma and not happy with the nipple position. I know it’s early days but I reckon i’ll need a revision for sure.
On the plus side the right breast looking great and my abdo is getting there too. I was away week before last and got into new clothes which shows off my silhouette and made. All so worthwhile. On the scars I’m now using silicon gel instead of tapes and alternating with rose hip essential oil. I’m also still doing my LDM but once or twice a week. Still have swelling and puffiness on the lower abdo which gets bad if I’ve spent the day at the office and moving around from place to place. I can’t wear the spanx as often as I should and that’s because I wanna feel free and relaxed.
Last week my belly button started to change again and has got all puffy and flattened out a bit. I asked one of the nurses at the PSG and she put it down to swelling and said it will take time, it’s the last thing to heal fully but be good to hear from others on their BB experiences.
I should be seeing Dan Marsh in a week or so. I hope I won’t be in anymore dressings by then so I can get his full perspective on things.