66 Years Finally Made Decision for Incision - London, GB

Having followed quite a few stories I thought I would add mine. I am 66 years old and was around 36 G/H. To think I used to wear 34C/D....back in the day when that was pretty much the largest size. From my perspective (looking down) I was pretty oblivious as to my actual size until someone one made a comment at work...from then on I was very self-conscious. Buying clothes was a nightmare and the only exercise I settled on was yoga but doing shoulder stands wasn’t a lot of fun. I approached a PS about 10 years ago but didn’t feel confident about going ahead considering I was still working and I didn’t want the added attention. But I had been thinking about it ever since and I finally plucked up the courage to find someone. I went to MyBreast.org in London and was pleased to discover that one of the founders was the original PS I had seen. He has moved to a different location and I wanted Central London. I bought a book called “Less is More” to give me some information and had a first consultation. It is difficult to have more than one choice because most charge for that first consultation.I then thought that I couldn’t have a complete stranger do the surgery so I booked a second consultation with the same PS which they were happy to do.
Having made my decision, the date got pushed back. I had in the meantime come off HRT and was now suffering hot flushes which did not aid my recovery.
Everything seemed to go well...pre op swab tests for MRSA (clear) and the admittance time was a reasonable 9:30am (Operation happened at 1:00pm ...remember waking up at 4:45pm with it all over). After returning to my room, I ate a bit, watched TV and sent emails! Couldn’t sleep ..had to call nurse every time I wanted the loo because I had drains in both breasts. One drained a little the other drained nothing. Was well bandaged up ....but I could see their size and all night I felt I had gone too far. It will take a while for me to accept my new shape (and to work on reducing my stomach which now is all too apparent). My worst pain was having a sore throat from the tube that had been inserted.
Room was fine, night staff excellent but felt like I was being pushed out the next day. Surgeon couldn’t get to see me the next morning which I wasn’t happy about so insisted on seeing the night doctor to get discharged.
My first appointment was a week later which I was very glad about. What with hot flushes, pain killers (whose side effects can be sweats) and mild weather, I was just cooking. I think my bandages should have been changed on the Friday and again on the Monday. Resident Medical Officer at hospital changed dressings and took a swab ...apparently I had picked up MRSA ...odd considering I was the only one in overnight! I took the recommended antibiotics, pain killers and just rested for a week. I had invited friends around but in the end couldn’t face it. I was shaky after the operation but otherwise the pain was manageable. I found it harder not to raise or push up with my arms.
It is now 16 days and I find it hard to remember the first couple of days. I do remember that I took far too much to the hospital...they provide what you need and it was only one night. At home, I bought in food but nothing tasted right for a couple of days. Staying hydrated is best. Everything I saw on TV or read was just fuzziness...make no decisions for the first two weeks at least! I was very creaky about moving the first couple of days but that passed. The same with the pain...it hurt but it was bearable.
Now that I have done the two weeks downtime I want to get going but am spending time going back and forth between the surgeon and the hospital getting my dressings changed. I am still suffering from oozing from under both my breasts, one worse than the other. Hopefully that will clear soon and I will be well on my way to the shops! I can’t believe I did it....