BA CONSULTATION with Simon Withey August 9th

Hi Josie and Ladies!
I have a consultation with Simon Withey on aug 9th at My Breast. He seems to come really well recommended, one of those talking heads on the news and in PS documentaries which fills me with confidence.
And I actually can't find a bad word about him on the net and trust me I've looked!
After I see him and have some kind of understanding on what I need I will also look for second opinions.
I'm a 32d atm, 27 yo, with no kids and have really saggy boobs with nipples facing down (due to weight loss aged 15) and I've NEVER had perky boobs. Feel it's only my right, I want to feel proud like anyone else. :)
Really enjoying reading all the comments and opinions on here if slightly overwhelmed.
I have a feeling I will also need a lift, which I'm not keen on due to scars, although a lot of them look totally fine, and also can you breast feed after a lift? As I don't want to not have that option when/if I have children.
Any fback on Withey and experience of lifts and ba's would be really helpful! And opinions on overs and unders also welcome!
Good luck and happy healing to all pre and post op ladies on here!
xxx

Hi

I had a lift with Simon Withey, I'm very very happy!

It took me over two years of research and going back and forth with having only an uplift or uplift with implants, but in the end I decided to go with implants as well. Withey wasn't pushy on which option to go with, I could have acheived good results either way. Both surgeons I'd seen (this includes Withey) for an uplift (no implants) said I was a candidate for either a donut or lollipop mastopexy, but both said I'd get better results with the lollipop (the one with a vertical scar). At my second consult with Withey I told him I'd changed my mind and wanted to be a bit bigger too. So he gave me time to think about it, and gave me a call to give me more information since I always have many questions. I decided to go with an augmentation too. He wanted to see me for a third consultation to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted, obviously having changed my mind, and wanted to make sure which size and profile was best for the results I wanted, so I brought pictures with me of what I liked and didn't like.

In the end I only had the donut mastpexy, not the lollipop because there wasn't enough excess skin in the lower pole to justify the vertical scar, and the implants filled what would't had been filled had I just had an uplift with no implants. He said to me that if he can acheive great results with minimal scars this is what he will choose.

Whether or not you can breastfeed after an uplift usually depends on the skill and technique your surgeon uses. Both surgeons I saw said I could still breastfeed after, but both did ask me if I planned on having more children, because it would mean I would be likely to sag afterwards since this is why I was saggy. I had really lovely perky breasts before having children, children changed them a lot, but this isn't the case for everyone. I don't want anymore though, I have two and that's enough for me.

I saw pictures of another lady who had bigger saggier breasts than me. She was a lot younger than me and didn't have children so Withey recommended she have a donut lift with overs because of her age, and wait for a full uplift after she's had children if she prefers. Well, her breasts are beautiful, and I was really impressed that he did such a great lift and shape with only a donut lift! Based on his preference for going with the option of least scars, I would trust him to choose the best option for you, ie. if he feels you need a full anchor lift then it's because it really is the best choice for you.

I had overs because I'm muscular and athletic, if it hadn't been for my musculator he would have preferred I get unders since I had virtually no upper pole or fat in my upper chest area.

Anyway, he's done a fantastic job, my friends who've seen my boobs tell me they look like they did before my babies (plus a cup size, bonus!) which is what I was going for, he gave me exactly what I asked for! He is a good listener, he answered all of my questions and concerns, and there were many. He will tell you the pros and cons, and his limitations on what he can and cannot acheive. Don't be put off by this, it's better that he tell you what you would prefer not to hear as well, after all it's surgery, you need to know what to expect.

Please let us know how it goes for you and ask away, we're here to help xxx



Let us know how it goes

I also want to add, if you do need a full uplift don't be out off by it. The scars tend to heal very well. My mother had an anchor uplift (no implants) when I was a child, they look amazing xxx

Hi Roxanne,
Thanks for your reply and all the detail, I really appreciate it!

Yes Withey sounds great and I keep hearing good feedback about him, so that is a big relief. You pay an extra £500 to go with him through MyBreast (was this the same for you?), to be honest for my health and happiness £500 is a drop in the ocean.

I was interested to hear your decision on what surgery option you chose and your reasons. In some ways I think should I just forget about it until I have babies. But who knows if I will and since I've never had perky breasts, I want to make the most of my body now and don't want to put something off for whats and ifs. But when I have my consultation I will be sure to hear all my options and results/risks etc.

Would you recommend having numerous consultations before surgery and does the surgeon suggest that too? Did you have to wait long in between deciding you wanted a ba to the actual surgery?

I definitely like the idea that Withey gives you the pros and cons, this is really really important as I keep hearing stories of pushy practices and surgeons, and not giving two sides of the stories and that doesn't appeal whatsoever.

I would love to see your pics if possible but I don't think I've been given a status that allows me to do so yet, so when I do I may request if that's ok with you? Also could I ask how much you paid? This is my other stress; how to pay for it ( ) and I suppose if I have a ball park figure I can start to explore that. The lady I spoke to at MB said between £4350-850 + 500 for SW. So I'm expecting it to be more if I need an uplift. Wish I would win the lottery lol!

Once again thanks for all the info. I wish the 9th aug was tomorrow but at least this gives me loads more time to research and ask everyone and anyone questions lol!

Cheers!

A xx

It's a very personal choice. Personally, if I didn't like the way my breasts looked and I didn't plan on having children straightaway I would get it done. The reason why I didn't bother before is because I loved my pre baby boobies. They were a beautiful shape so I didn't want to mess with them just to go a bit bigger. If I hadn't been happy with them there's no doubt I would have done something about it, I wouldn't have waited, but that's the way I am.

I had consultations with two surgeons, one locally and one with Withey. I was very happy with both, they met the medical qualifications and both were professional and helpful. But when I met Withey I knew he was the one, so didn't see the point of seeing anyone else even though I did have a couple more than I would have considered had I wanted to see more surgeons. Both surgeons gave me pretty much the same advice, so there was no conflict there for me. If they had both given me complete different advice I may have well been inclined to see at least another surgeon.

I'm confused about the different price to see Withey, is this correct? In October I was given the Mybreast prices: straightforward ba daycase £4250, overnight stay £4620, mastopexy no implants with overnight stay £4900, mastopexy with implants £5800. I paid the latter because I had the mastopexy with implants. It sounds like the prices have gone up a little since then. But this were the standard prices regradless of which Mybreast surgeon you choose, at least it was at the time I had my consultations.

I know he's a very busy surgeon though. How long did you have to wait for your first consultation? When I phoned Mybreast I specifically asked for him, the receptionist told me he was a very busy surgeon, a lot of people asked for him, and that I would have to wait a few weeks. I had to wait about a month and a half which was fine by me. Also, I had almost a three month wait from when I booked my surgery to my surgery date. It was well worth the wait, but I was so impatient and tired of waiting.

Keep posting on here, and we'll get to know eachother better, then I'll happily show you my pictures There's a lot of really helpful nice ladies on here xxx

Ah so you were blessed! As I said I've never had the pleasure of a glorious chest, although it looks fine in a decent bra, but bikinis and backless clothes are another matter and being naked up top makes me uncomfy!

I agree, I'm not happy with them now and I don't feel I want to wait. I'm 27, it could be years before I have children. So....

Yes the pricing is interesting. I called MB and specifically asked for SW, on Wednesday last week (25th) and was given august 9th consultation (15 days), so I guess that's not a long time to wait.

I think they must have put the price up, judging by your prices. However, I keep reading that you can successfully bargain a little and I might try. Anything over £6k is just too much for me. But I really want SW, as all I hear is good stuff! I also think I'll definitely do the night stay, put my mum at ease (who doesn't know yet - dreading that convo) and feel like things are being done and monitored properly.

How are your scars around the donut incision and did they cut much from the areola (not sure if they do this but from photos it looks as though they are sometimes trimmed)?

From your profile pic yours look like very much how I want mine to. Very natural. People keep saying 'ooh how big are you going?' and I just say I want them to look like how they do in a good bra, but without one one! It's simple full but natural and perky.

I'm so pleased to hear you are happy with yours and feel good about your decision to do it!

Thanks again for the info and answering my questions!

AC xxx

Hi Amy, think I've spoken to you briefly on another post but I had Simon Withey for a basic BA so not quite the same and Roxanne can help you far better. I can say however that I was so happy with his work and the results after 2 months are fantastic.

My diary is here if you want to read about my experience with him. Good luck with everything x

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks for that Sunshine Lady! It was really interesting to read your surgery diary, very detailed which is exactly what I need.
I'm going hot and cold atm, slightly overwhelmed with all the info I'm reading. Really looking forward to my consultation on the 9th, then I'll actually know what surgery I need!
Will keep you posted and thanks again!
xxx

My scars are healing well, yeah I had the areola trimmed and cut all around and the excess skin was brought in from there (like a pursestring or donut hence the name ).

Like I said, at the time it was £5800 for an augmented mastopexy, so £6000 should cover it. Mybreast aren't known much for haggling in comparison to other companies, but it's worth a try, if you don't ask you won't find out.

I was naturally blessed in my twenties. Took me forever to grow boobs, I was a late bloomer, and they were never big, in my opinion I looked no more than a C cup. The pill did help add some volume to them, but even when they were a little smaller when I wasn't on the pill they had a lovely shape either way, going braless was not a problem basically. I really did love the way they looked, but they seriously went south when I got pregnant. I saw my before pics that SW took, they looked like old lady boobs, I didn't recognise they were mine, they looked that tired and overworked Honestly the boobs I had before children vs the ones I had after looked like two complete different pairs, I'm really not exaggerating though my children are totally worth it

I know what you mean about the size, I just wanted to like them naked again instead of only when they're in a padded push up bra. I'm so happy with my decision, I bet you will too, it's wonderful not to need scaffolding for them to look pretty, and my boobs look much younger and rested again xxx

Thanks Roxanne. Your reply was really helpful! I really hope I can get away with a donut lift, an anchor lift is too much for me at this stage ( no kids yet) and I wouldn't want to go for it, only to have to get it done again after babies.

Were you told anything about breastfeeding after a donut lift? As I really want to still have that ability if and when I do have children.

Counting down the days until the 9th and then all my questions will be answered (I hope), it's nerve wracking stuff to say the least, but it could really improve how I feel about my breasts so I want to take the plunge.

Thanks again for the info!

xx

I was told by a couple of surgeons that I could breastfeed after. The only reason why they asked me if I planned on having more children is because it's having children that made my boobs sag so they wanted to warn me that in my case it would be likely to happen should I have another baby. This isn't an issue for every woman, but my history showed that pregnancies had that effect on my boobs so for me it is an issue. I think it's important you make sure you can still breastfeed after. It's one of the first things I would ask if I planned on having children in the future. I was told I should still be able to breastfeed even after a lollipop lift. It really does depend on the skill of the surgeon and the technique they use. Some cut the milk ducts while others don't.

I assure you, he really listens to his patients' individual needs. If there's no other way to acheive desirable results other than a full lift he will tell you. If on the other hand, you can still acheive good results with a different lift he will give you this as an option as well. Sometimes it's a matter of compromise for one priority over another, which is a very individual decison to make. I agree with you though, being able to breastfeed would definately determine my decision too.

Let us know how it goes, you haven't got long for you consultation now! It is nerve racking, but it's also exciting! To think you might have the beautiful boobs you want soon is very surreal! xxx

AmyCN wrote:
Were you told anything about breastfeeding after a donut lift? As I really want to still have that ability if and when I do have children.

There are risks involved with having a lift Amy and from everything I've read although a small one there is a possibility that you will be unable to breast feed after the procedure due to some of the glandular tissue possibly being removed when re-positioning your boobs, or possibly milk ducts being cut, this is however very rare from everything I've read and surgeons will do all they can to ensure this doesn't happen. Always remember that there are never any guarantees with this surgery though Amy no matter who the surgeon is or how skilled they may be and although this is very rare it's something if you do want to feed your children yourself you'd need to take into careful consideration sweetheart and talk it through with your surgeon. xx

Thanks Roxanne and Cookie! Definitely food for thought. Not long till my consultation as you say Roxanne, so excited and will have some answers. I can't stop thinking about it, which is a good thing I hope! I'll keep you all posted! Thanks for the advice ladies...xx

I take it you had your consultation by now? How did it go? xxx

I'm considering Withey for my BA!! I've seen him for two consultations and really trust his abilities xx

I'm going to read sunshine's diary now xx

blondie12 wrote:I'm going to read sunshine's diary now xx

I'm afraid it only goes up to 2 weeks post op as I got a bit lazy and stopped updating it but if you've got any questions I'd be very happy to help :thumbs:

I think Withey is an excellent choice if you go with him xx

Hi hun,

I don't have any advice regarding a lift/SW but I can totally see why you'd want this done if you're not happy with your breasts. There's always going to be risks and the possibility that you won't be able to breast feed, but I think the trade off for your own happiness and confidence is a fair trade. That being said, I'm not a Mother so perhaps priorities would be different if I was. When it come's to a BA though there is definitely no rush so ensure you find the right surgeon for you and if that means a little extra out of your pocket I'm sure it will be worth it. x

Hi all!
So I had my consultation with Simon Withey yesterday and it was really really interesting. After careful consideration I've decided to shelf my BA dreams for now. Withey advised that I would need a full anchor lift (vertical scar) and considering I haven't had children yet I feel that it would be a lot to put my body through now, only to have to repeat it after.
What was most interesting about the consultation was how thorough Withey is in an all round way. He advised my friend and I to make sure we do regular breast checks, informed me about the fact that I have a concave chest and how my body shape and bone structure would affect what effects surgery would have, the fact that my ptosis (sagging) is equivalent to post-breastfeeding breasts and the realistic results I can expect and how my implants / lift would change over time.
I am disappointed that I won't be taking the plunge yet, but for me this is the right choice and somewhere down the line, I will definitely reconsider.
I would totally recommend Withey as a man who is realistic and truthful about your results and doesn't shy away from the negatives and is very upfront about it being a major life decision.
The other thing I would recommend ALL women doing is bringing a friend to take copious notes while YOU listen to the surgeon, I couldn't have done both myself and my notes are wonderful.
Additionally, I actually think this was one of the most useful and informative 'medical' checks I've ever had and I cam away with a much heightened sense of my body, my breasts and what they are actually like.
Wishing everyone the best on their BA/Lift journeys and I'll be checking back in!
Please feel free to ask me any questions and I am very happy to help!

Axxx

Thank you for this very informative post. I'm sorry you're putting your surgery on hold, but I totally understand why. As I said, neither surgeons I'd seen had recommended a full anchor lift for me, hence the possibility/likelihood that I should still be able to breastfeed, though my mom went through it and knew breastfeeding wouldn't likely be on the table for her afterwards since it's more invasive, and her surgeon cutting the milk ducts, though she didn't want more children anyhow. You have to do what's right for you, I must say I think you're a very sensible person and have given this a lot of thought, which is very wise.

You're impression of Mr. Withey is the same I had. His honesty and thouroughness on all matters concerning breast surgery was most helpful. It's best to make a decision when a surgeon tells you both what you want to hear and what you don't want to hear. I understand what you mean about taking someone with you. I took my mom with me since she was visiting at the time, and I trust her opinion having been through something similar herself. She felt the same about him, and left the consultation feeling he was the right surgeon too.

Anyway I wish you all the best, and I'm glad to hear you had such an informative consultation xxx