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The decision to undergo breast reconstruction was...
After weaning our final child, I decided that the time was right for reconstruction - I owed it to my teenage self from all those years ago, and booked another consult. A very productive appointment - I basically advised Dr Kennedy that psychologically I couldn't contemplate multiple procedures and informed him that he had "one shot at it" - looking back now that was a pretty selfish request from me -to expect him to implant one side and reduce the other side to match all in one theatre session! My fears were many - past anaesthetic complications certainly heightened my anxiety but I had nine months to prepare so I focussed on shedding the kgs, to be my ideal weight for life by the surgery date. I did struggle getting the weight down and believe perhaps I may have been subconsciously sabotaging my own pre-surgery preparation. Finally three months before the surgery the adrenaline kicked in and I broke through the weight and psychological plateaus of the previous months. I was on fire, in "the zone", pumped for reconstruction and raring for a new chapter in my life.
After a few hours in theatre, I finally woke up, firstly relieved that I was alive and then excited at the wonderful bulge on the RHS of my chest, seen through groggy eyes. Although my breasts felt numb they looked bloody impressive from where I lay. After a dose of "Zofran" I was up and feeling amazing. I don't know how many times I palpated my chest that afternoon and evening - eager to visualise Dr Kennedy's handiwork. I felt so incredibly proud and excited - a new chapter in my life had just commenced. Who needed heavy pain relief? The excitement and euphoria were the best analgesia ever!!
Thankfully I recorded my experience all those years ago as I didn't want to forget the amazing journey I travelled. Sure there were times after surgery when some dark memories from the past surfaced and needed to be dealt with. There were those "why me" moments when I recalled the awkwardness of school swimming lessons, slumber parties and being fitted for prostheses all those years. I was so outcome focussed leading up to the surgery that I didn't ever imagine what life would be like post -surgery. I have come so far! I am now 7 years post op and still travelling strongly. As I remember the years past I remember how Dr Kennedy advised that his goal was to get me "looking good in a bra" - he smashed that goal - my breasts look great in a bra or without.
Provider Review
With our third baby in my arms, my husband and I met Dr Kennedy and discussed possible surgery options for my breast reconstruction. I immediately felt I was in the midst of a man who had compassion and truly cared, as I struggled with my embarrassment regarding my gross breast asymmetry at that initial appointment. Most importantly, I felt confident that Dr Kennedy would be the man to change my life surgically and correct that which Mother Nature stuffed up all those years ago. Dr Kennedy advised us to return after our baby was weaned and then we could talk more regarding plans for the surgery. I booked a final consult the month before surgery - I was felling confident and courageous -I proudly advised that I had lost 7 kgs and Dr Kennedy remeasured me and announced that I would need a small breast prosthesis - woohoo! My hard work had paid off. As the day of surgery neared I experienced the pre-reconstruction highs and lows. I wanted this surgery for so many reasons - I wanted to pass on positive body image messages to our daughters, I wanted to reward myself but most importantly I wanted to beat the Poland's - I wanted to beat this "thing" that had haunted me all my life and deprived me of so much. It was time for me to finally bloom - I could do this!! I was pretty happy that I was first on the list and waited for the action to begin. After having TEDS and "snow boots " attached I heard a familiar voice. It was Dr Kennedy - hearing his voice, my brave facade crumbled and the tears started to flow - I was sprung crying by Dr Kennedy. I tearfully requested for him to "hover" around me until I went to sleep and he agreed. Dr Kennedy hastily organised my pre-anaesthetic consult and then midazolm was administered. Drugs in my system I no longer cared - apparently I was pretty interesting with midazolam on board. The next morning I watched the clock, waiting for Dr Kennedy's arrival - I couldn't wait for the official unveiling. I smiled widely as Dr Kennedy entered the room. Santa had come early - WOW! i must have been a really really good girl that year! My eyes darted from right to left and left to right - what a transformation. So many funny memories. I was soon discharged from hospital and headed home. Upon my arrival at home I grabbed some papers that were lying around and placed them between my arm and where my oversized left breast used to be - they fell to the ground! How I laughed and then cried. I had done it!! Post op reviews and obeying instructions followed - the hardest part was dealing with the limitations placed upon me but I knew these were to assist my recovery and provide the best outcome possible. A few weeks later was our beach holiday and even though I couldn't swim as a post-op precaution, I had the best holiday ever - wearing a swimsuit, with awesome cleavage and NO REMOVABLE PROSTHESIS. Woohoo!! I believe I was chosen to have Poland's for a reason - to travel this path and be triumphant in the end. I hope that the account of my journey might provide even just one woman with the confidence and inspiration to "go for it". Surgery is never something to take lightly but taking that leap of faith and trusting in Dr Kennedy changed my life. I feel truly blessed and will be forever grateful for his skills, kindness and compassion.