Please help......

I'm a newbie here and have 24/7 boob brain.......

So far I have had 2 consults with my nurse at Harley medical. She has been really lovely and answered all my questions. But I'm worrying..... Because of the way they work ihave Already paid my £500 deposit (totally surgery cost of £4450 for BA) but won't meet my surgeon until 19th November with my ba date 22nd dec.

My surgeon is dr mohan And I will be meeting him At the NHs hospital he works at with my ba carried out at highgate in London.

My balance is due 2 days before I meet him (standard 25 days before surgery) but is it normal to have paid it all before you even meet your surgeon? Also I have no idea what they will suggest for me.....

My stats are 5"2 size 10 and 32 c...... However after having my little boy 6 years ago I have lost volume hence the ba..... I have measured myself and don't think I need uplift.... My HMG nurse said the same, I just want padding out and maybe ending up with a nice full d/dd.

I'm so nervous and have so many questions..... Is my situation normal?

I'm also worried about Xmas..... I have opted for the 22nd as it gives me 11days off work without using any holiday entitlement.....is this a mistake?


Any advise would be amazong..... I have read so many threads on here trying to put myself at ease but everyone's stories are so different......

Has anyone had surgery with mohan?
Has anyone had surgery with HMG?
Has anyone had surgery at highgate?
Has anyone got similar stats?
Has anyone got photos they would share post op?

I'm sorry if I sound silly..... I have been thinking about this for 6 years and now I'm doing it I'm so netvous'.....

Thank you in advance for any replies :)

Lucy xxx

You don't sound silly at all Lucy

It is unusual to have pay in full before you seeing your surgeon hun. But that's not what's happened here.

We all have to pay in full by a specified time before surgery. The fact that you've booked your date before seeing your surgeon seems to be the problem here lovely.

I have to say, I'm concerned that you may not like the surgeon you're going to see.

I've seen a surgeon (not the one you're seeing) myself who treated me disgracefully and I refused point blank to allow him to operate me.

Even if you do find some reviews and they're good, there's no guarantee that you're going to get along with him and if you don't... Where does that leave you Lisa?

Is there any chance of you seeing at least one other surgeon at the Harley before seeing Mr Moham? At least then you'll have two surgery plans and surgeons to compare before making the decision which surgeon and surgery plan you're going to go with...

Having your surgery on the 22nd of December isn't going to make this the best Christmas as far as joining in is concerned. At 3 days post op on Christmas Day, you're going to be uncomfortable and very tired. You won't be up to cooking, cleaning or anything. You'll be able to take a walk and sit and chat for a little while but that's about it. You'll just need to rest and you'll want to sleep because it does take a while for the general anaesthetic to make its way through your body..

By 11 days post op you should be fine to return to work, as long as your healing has gone well. You generally start to turn a corner and start feeling better after about about a week. It takes 6 weeks to recover though, so no lifting, hoovering, ironing, excercise or anything else that's going to put pressure on your upper body lovely. Xxx

I would also try to book to see another surgeon Hun. I don't know how Harley work in terms of deposit but I do know another girl on here also did that. Transform asked me if i wanted to book a date before I see a surgeon which I refused as I didn't want to book and then not like the surgeon as Cookie has said. If Harley have encouraged you to do this its a little naughty of them. Xx

There is absolutely no way I would have handed over my money and booked a date without first meeting the person who was going to operate on me xx

I cannot stress enough that you need to do your research xx I didn't and paid a very costly price xx

I wouldn't be trusting the nurses either xx If I were you I would be booking consults with at least 2 other surgeons xx

This is a big decision and you wnat to make sure you are 100% happy with the person who is going to operate on you xx

I agree what others have said here. I saw 3 surgeons before I found 'the one' Its really important to feel happy with your choice of surgeon and I would think twice before paying in full for an operation with someone you have never even met. The first surgeon I met was horrible and I wouldnt have let him cook me breakfast let alone slice my body up! I had also booked my op date with the first surgeon before seeing him as I wanted a specific date but as soon as I had the consultation I was straight on the phone cancelling!! I had never realised that you need to gel with the person operating on you as without this you cannot trust them. As Cookie has said 22nd Dec is very close to xmas and while you might not mind feeling rough over xmas how will your little boy feel?? Day 3 post op was by far my worst day, I had an analgesia induced headache (worst headache of my life) and I vomited all day and I generally felt like I had been run over.

Is the deposit refundable?? xx

Hi ladies,

Thank you for the replies.....

The deposit is refundable providing I cancel before meeting my surgeon, at which point I lose £150.

I'm not to worried about Christmas as we tend to have a very lazy day with my parents so lots of support around me to keep my little boy amused.... I guess with a little one there isn't a best time.... But doing it this way gives me 11 days off work without the need to use holiday and make a big deal off it in the office.

If spoken to a few girls who have had mr mohan and they have all been really positive. I think a lot of my concerns have manifest through genuine fear of the op.... Part of me wonders if I'm trying to talk myself out of it but its something that I have wanted for years so can't let worry beat me.

I'm very lucky to have an incredibly supportive family who are being amazing about it all.

I'm not really sure what to do now..... I went to harley medical as both my aunt and cousin hve been through them and it felt like the best place to go.....

You girls have made me feel a bit stupid :(

Xxx

No one wants to make you feel stupid honey, we are all here to help and support each other. I think we all just want to make sure you are making the right decision for you. Its great that you have fab support and that you have had a recommendation but just make sure he is right for YOU. The guy I saw first and hated actually did my sister's BA last week!! She liked him and is happy with her results and I guess this just shows how one size doesnt fit all!

Also can you give the clinic a ring and explain that you need an earlier appointment with the surgeon?? I dont think its unreasonable for them to try and squeeze you in as they are putting you in a position where you may feel trapped...

I'm going to ring them tomorrow. My balance is only die 2 days before.... I'm hoping under the circumstances they may be understanding enough to let me meet him first.

I think I'm getting myself worked up..... It's not just the surgeon.... I'm scared I won't be happy with the result, I guess that's normal?!!

I'm hoping some girls will share their photos with me soon, I'm hoping that will put my mind at ease :)

Thank you for being here for me xxxx

Ahhhhhh hun xx Don't feel stupid xx Not what we mean to do at all, sorry if I sounded a bit harsh xx

I rushed into my first surgery and as you can see I have had too have 2 subsequent ops and it has taken me over three years to get to where I am with reconstructive surgery xx Even after all that, I am afraid to say that my boobs are not great for the money I spent on them because my first surgeon gave cr@p advice and didn't have the technical ability to perform my surgery xx I wouldn't want anyone to go through what I have been through xx so I'm sorry if I sounded harsh but I really am passionate about people doing their research and taking their time in finding the right surgeon for THEM xx

If I was you I would cancel the surgery and do more research xx just because your aunt and cousin got a good result does not guarantee you will xx

You can still meet that surgeon and if you like him then, well THEN you could book, couldn't you....?

I wish I had never crossed paths with my first PS, he destroyed any chance I ever had of a nice set of boobs with his awful work xx I wouldn't want that to happen to you xx

The unfortunate thing is sweetness is that not everyone's surgery goes to plan...... that's just the way it is xx ATEOTD it is major surgery and the decision should not be taken lightly xx No one wants to be the one who's op goes wrong but someone has to be We are just trying to look out for you :thumbs:

awww hunny, don't feel stupid. When i had my first consultation, i didn't really like the surgeon that much, but it was before i'd found this wonderful forum, and i didn't know that i had a 'choice' or about the concept and importance of 'gelling' with the surgeon either. Luckily, at the time I didn't have the money to book because the PCC was VERY salesy and i def would have been pressured into booking there and then.

I think it is very important to meet the surgeon though, as i mentioned, I really didn't like the surgeon i met first, but there's been girls on here who have loved him and so everybody's different, and whilst reading good reviews on him can ease your worries, there's no guaranteeing he will be the one for YOU.

I would definitely ring up HMC asap and explain your situation to them, that because of work etc you can't have the op at any other time, but say that you're NOT going to hand over any money until you've seen the surgeon you're going to be operated on. Also maybe say that you've had consultations with other companies, to whip them into shape a bit :p If they have issues with you seeing your PS before you've paid then i'd wonder if this is really the type of company you want to be in charge of your BA&aftercare anyway?? I also think it wouldn't hurt to contact a few other companies anyway and see their surgeons, most offer free consultations so you've nothing to lose, and the more consultations you attend the more informed you are and you can be 100% sure you've chosen the right surgeon, even if you do end up going with Mohan.

Don't feel stupid though hun, the process of BA is something we're all new to at first and we all end up doing silly things, thats why this forum is so great for guidance and support!

xxxxx

I think I have decided to speak to them tomorrow and tell them I'm not paying until I have met me mohan.... They will either need to bring my consultation forward or allow so,e flexibility on paying my balance.... It is due on the 17th nov and my consult is 19th nov.... It's only two days so if thru aren't prepared to do that then they aren't the right company for me.....

Incidentally have you heard of mr mohan? His cv reads very well and they reviews I read are brilliant..... I just can't seem to find that many :(

Xxxx

I think its wise to do that hun. At the end of the day you wouldnt buy a car by just reading what it looked like/drove like, you would want to see it and drive it to see if it was right. You wouldnt buy a wedding dress by reading an article in a paper that said "beautiful white wedding dress." The fact that its beautiful is subjective to whoever has written the article and you would need to see it and try it on to decide if you thought it was beautiful. You are effectively buying a product, a very precious product and you need to be informed.

very well put 5stonedown!

Hope you manage to get everything sorted with HMG Lucy, keep us informed we're all here to help you :) xxx

Great Advice from the girls xx

I think you are doing the right thing by meeting BEFORE you make your final decision xx

Meanwhile why don't you book some more consults....? They will be free and you have nothing to lose then you will still have a good chance of getting the dates you want should you choose someone else xx :thumbs:

I agree with kay. It really helps to have other consults. I thought I was happy with the 2nd surgeon I saw until I saw the third and I realised how much happier I was with her. Her approach was so different and the consultation was worlds apart from what I had seen previously. Even if you go with the first surgeon you see it helps to see others as it will either concrete your decision or change your mind but either way you are in a win win situation!

Oh sorry didn't want to make you feel stupid not my intention at all. As its all new to us to start Hun you don't realise what it all really entails, I was certain I wanted a certain surgeon to do my BA as my sis in law had him then found out he goes as big abs you want! Didn't want that at all! And I only ever planned on seeing one surgeon til I found these wonderful forums and realised that I really needed to see a couple of surgeons.
You are doing the right thing by asking them if you could see your surgeon sooner if they don't allow this then make it clear your not going to hand over more money until you have. They will rather wait for your money then you take your business elsewhere Hun xx

Coming to us - A 'support forum' and asking for advice and support is definitely not silly Lucy. These are the reason we're here, to help women like yourself who are confused and need advice...

If you paid your deposit within 14 days Lucy then you should be able to get a full deposit back if that's what you wish for.

THMG is legally bound to offer you a 14 day cooling off period hun, so if you do change your mind within that time you should have no trouble getting back all of your money. If you do have any trouble from them, do ask for their reasoning for witholding the rest of your money and demand that in writing and tell them you're going to send a complaint about you not getting a full refund to The Care Quality Commission.

Tell them they were quick to advertise in support of the new regulations applied to cosmetic surgery (you can read that HERE) and in not returning your full refund that would make them as unscrupulous as the very surgeons they speak of in their article.

Don't allow them to get away with bullying you into surgery lovely, you've accumulated no fees so far, had no blood tests or any other tests and haven't yet seen the surgeon and you're giving fair warning if this is what you want before your surgery xx

There was an article recently about the industry tightening up on clinics withholding part or all deposits along with other underhanded things, you can read about it if you'd like to HERE

Please do feel free to talk to us about anything Lucy. We really are here for YOU and if we can help you....we will

And some more information for you Lucy that I couldn't find earlier but have now :thumbs:

Avoid surgeons who act like salesmen. “Professional expertise might lead
surgeons to recommend different surgery,” says Louise Braham, director
of The Harley Medical Group. “For example, you might get better results
from a breast lift and boob job, than boob job alone. But surgeons
should only discuss the areas you’re enquiring about. If you go in for a
boob job but find yourself being sold a tummy tuck, be wary. And
remember that, legally, there’s a 14-day cooling-off period, so if you
sign up then change your mind, you get your deposit back.”

Quote from The Harley Medical Groups Website

Note that Louise Braham, the director of THMG actually stated the legality of the refund on their own website. Xx

Thank you so much cookie :)

My plan is to call the clinic tomorrow and see how I can go about meeting mr mohan before I part with any more money.....

He really does look perfect on paper, an nhs reconstructive surgeon as well as private consultant since 1997 but you are right that doesn't mean he is THE surgeon for me..... I hope he is but I am going into this with my eyes wide open thanks to you all.

Btw I love your new pic! :) you look fabxxx

Aww thanks Lucy and good luck with that phone call sweetness. Xx

Good Luck xx

So ladies......

I spoke to HMG and they were really helpful. I explained my concerns. Firstly they offere to bring my appt with mohan forward but unfortunately the date they had clashed with a business trip I am going on. So we have left the consult date for the 19th bit they have told me they will not need me to pay until after I have seen him. They also said if I meet with him and I'm not happy they will arrange another consult with a different surgeon. The payment date they had given me is their standard 25 days before because that's when they start paying costs for booking my bed etc.,.. But as my dates are so close they are happy to give me some extra time to make sure I'm happy.

I feel much better now :)

Now I just need to get myself to stop worrying about the surgery.

I hope you all think what I have done is right?

Thanks

Lucy