Research question

Hi everyone,

Been a member for a little while but never really had the guts to post anything before.
I've been wanting to have a breast uplift for so long now but as it's such a big scary thing, I've been putting it off and putting it off forever.

I've done a fair amount of research on the Internet and also read a number of posts here on the forum.
I've had consultations with 2 surgeons at 2 different local hospitals and I'm reasonably happy with the second one. I haven't found a single dodgy thing about him: all his qualifications check out, he's a consultant for the NHS as well which is reassuring, he gave me all the info I asked for and showed me before/after pics of surgeries he's performed. There is nothing that really concerns me. But I'm still unsure as to how much more research I need to do.

At which point do you stop doing research?
Should I see more surgeons?
Something, unconsciously, is stopping me from booking the surgery and I don't know if it's just plain fear or whether it's the feeling that I should do more research. And if it's the latter, I really don't know what else I need to be doing.

Sorry this is long and convoluted.
I hope you can give me your input, opinion or experience on the matter, I'd really appreciate it. :)

LittleFry

LittleFry wrote:
I've had consultations with 2 surgeons at 2 different local hospitals and I'm reasonably happy with the second one. I haven't found a single dodgy thing about him: . There is nothing that really concerns me. But I'm still unsure as to how much more research I need to do.

Hi Littlefry,
It seems like yo have researched this procedure immensely, so personally, I would have more consultations until you find the one you click with. Being reasonably happy with a surgeon is probably why you haven't booked it yet. I was the same with my BA, kept putting it off even though I knew Mrs Kat was an excellent surgeon and she checked out, she had amazing reviews from people etc. She was the best surgeon I had seen up until that point, but something was still stopping me book. It wasn't until I went to another surgeon, Mr Hassan,  that it felt right and I booked and paid my deposit as soon as I got home from the consultation.
There is obviously nothing wrong with  your second surgeon, but he may just not be right for you. On the other hand, seeing more surgeons may be the thing that makes you think he IS the right one.
Good luck x

The thing that's blocking you isn't that you haven't done enough research sweetheart, it's just that you're not yet ready. 

An uplift is a BiG decision to make and the scars when you're told you need an uplift are a big thing to take in. 

I agree with Lairiefairie that having more consultations will help. If you haven't yet seen a BAAPS surgeon I'd very much advise at least one consultation with one of them (just because a surgeon works within the NHS doesn't mean they're necessarily a member) 

may I ask which surgeons you've seen so far and from which clinics?

With an uplift you need a surgeon of great skill. The scars you'll have from your uplift aren't disguised as they are wih a BA, as you'll know, they're around the areola and then from the centre of the areola to the Breast crease and will be there for life so the better the skill of the surgeon, the better your scars will be, so you're absolutely right to be hesitant and wanting to know you've done all you can before booking.  

Is there anything in particular that scaring you about the procedure? There's many of us here who have undergone uplifts and we can help you through if you can be specific. 

From reading your post though it does seem that right now.... You just don't feel ready as I said earlier and that OK. You're right to take your time. There's no rush, you're all set to have the surgery when YOU want so if taking a break from all the research is what you think you need then do it babe. It can be quite overwhelming when you actually get the final stage and it's suddenly all real and we have had many a lady need some time to just walk away for a little while - away from the research overload and surgeons. 

Just sticking around and asking any questions you might have for a while might help? Give yourself a bit of a breather, relax and just gently take everything in.

It's different for all of us and I know when I was told I needed a full anchor lift I was mortified! But over time I did come around to the idea and as far as scars go now, mine are barely there. Infact I'm due for a Breast Augmentation soon and my new surgeon thought I'd only had a nipple lift the scars are so good, so don't worry lovely. 

I'm glad you've finally come out of the shadows and WELCOME LittleFry  hopefully we can help you through the last stages toward having your uplift. 

It'll all be good, the changes in your boobs after an uplift are amazing and you couldn't ask for better support than you'll have here. 

It's the 'reasonably' happy that's stopping you. A lot of girls say they feel that click with the surgeon, and it just feels right. You're letting this person cut open your body, you need to be 100% happy with them. 

There's no such thing as too much research, or too many consultations. If your holding back on booking, it's obviously for a reason, be it the surgeon or for a personal reason. If you're sound in your decision to get it done, maybe see a few more surgeons to see if you find the one you click with.

Hi guys,

And thank you so so much for your replies already.

lairyfairie,
Thank you. It's really interesting that you had a similar feeling before booking your procedure and it's very useful to hear this from experience.
So can I ask, what was the difference between the 2 surgeons you mentioned?
How did you know Mr Hassan was right? How differently did you feel? Was it what he said to you or something else?
But I think I will take your advice and book a consultation with another surgeon.



COOKIE,
Thank you so much for your really great and comprehensive reply.
You are right, it is a big decision. 
The surgeons I saw were:
Mr Miles **naughty word** at Spire Harpenden
Mr Nick James at Pinehill Hitchin

The first consultation with Mr **naughty word** was a freebie, you know one of those events you can go to and get a free consultation. It felt a bit rushed I guess due to the nature of the consultation and I didn't get to ask many questions. But it was ok. 
Mr **naughty word** is a member of BAPRAS but does not appear to be a member of BAAPS. He works as a consultant for the NHS, his sub-specialty is breast reconstruction.

The second one with Mr James was a full consultation I paid for and it was much better. I asked many questions and as I said before, everything was spot on. He answered everything and was very forth-coming with information, pictures etc...
Mr James is a member of BAPRAS and BAAPS. He's also a consultant for the NHS and is the Chairman of the Surgical Division according to the East and North Herts NHS Trust website. He also sits on the Professional Standards Committee of the BAPRAS. His specialist interests are in head and neck surgery though.

In terms of what's scaring me, it's not the scars. I'm worried about post-op complications, specifically infections. I'm not sure why. I don't have a history of having issues with infections. I heal well, I don't smoke, I eat healthily and I exercise quite a bit. I'm worried about things going wrong afterwards. You read about people getting infections and tissue necrosis and things like that. I don't like that. That scares me.
There is another thing but it's more an annoyance, is that they said you can't exercise for 6 weeks. I don't like that. I do ballet and I really don't want to miss class for that long. It would be very hard for me to catch up afterwards.

It's good to hear that your scars are looking good though.
So can I ask what the level of pain was like afterwards? Were you able to dress yourself and cook your own food afterwards or could you not do anything at all?

Thank you for your words of support :)



Hi Charlii,
You're absolutely right, it is a huge thing to trust someone to cut you open like that, I agree. 
Can I ask what the click with the surgeon feels like? I know it sounds stupid because I understand it's very difficult to describe, but can you give me an idea please?
Thank you for your advice :)

LOL something funny happened with my new post. 
It looks like the forum engine is replacing one of the surgeon's last names because it contains a "naughty word" apparently. Is there any way to stop it from doing that?
OK so his last name is D.i.c.k.s.o.n

Infections and Necrosis are complications that are possible, but they are relatively rare, especially in those that take care of their body as much as you do. Being a ballerina you're body is obviously in tip top condition so those risks would lessen greatly for you. I wish I could say they be gone completely, but I can't. Those are the risks, small as they might be but if you're considering entering into this surgery and you should always enter into this fully informed. 

The excercise. This from what you're saying does pose a peoblem. 

Some surgeons are happy after a couple of weeks for their patients to do some low impact lower body excercise, most get by by taking themselves out for a good walk a couple of times a day, but that's as far as you'd be able to go with it, if you don't think you could refrain from excercise for that period of time, then maybe postponing until you're in a better frame of mind to help you get through those six weeks would be better for you, because the rest through recovery is absolutely essential whilst you're healing, especially with an uplift and you pay your surgeon to do only half the job in getting the boobs you want, the rest of the work is in your post-op instruction of no excercise for a period of time and it's your responsibility to look after your body and rest it to help achieve the aesthetic appearance you're paying for. 

If you don't think you can rest...for your own sake, it would be best to wait until you feel you can. 

Sorry if thats not what you wanted to hear, but your recovery instruction is so, so important to help you achieve the look you're wanting. Xx

LittleFry wrote:

lairyfairie,
Thank you. It's really interesting that you had a similar feeling before booking your procedure and it's very useful to hear this from experience.
So can I ask, what was the difference between the 2 surgeons you mentioned?
How did you know Mr Hassan was right? How differently did you feel? Was it what he said to you or something else?
But I think I will take your advice and book a consultation with another surgeon.

HI Littlefry,
When I went to see Mrs Kat my 1st consultation. she had a fantastic reputation but I didn't feel she answered all of my questions, even after 2nd time as she just put me with the nurse instead. I just kept thinking - its ok, she knows what she's doing, she is one of the best I the country etc etc. So even though I didn't feel 100%, I was reasonably happy with her. I cant explain it, it was like I was just putting faith in her due to her credentials rather than having faith in her.
When I went to a 2nd consultation - with the company MYA- I felt like I was in a car sales room! I saw their consultant who was about 20 years old & couldn't answer any of my questions. She didn't even know what BAAPS or BAPRAS was and chose a surgeon for me based on the fact that the other surgeon was on holiday!! Therefore, I felt that I was definitely making the right choice with Mrs Kat - even though I still had to keep telling myself to trust her as she knows what she is doing.
Just before I was going to book my surgery, I decided to have 1 more consultation just to settle my nerves and reassure myself Mrs KAt was the right surgeon for me based on reputation. I called Ellite Surgical  as Mr Hassan had lots of really good feedback on this site and on the Real Self website.

 As soon as I spoke to the practice manager, I started to feel something click. Carolyn was amazing and discussed lots of things in-depth with me and I didn't feel she was trying to sell me something. As soon as I had my consultation with Mr Hassan. I just knew that was it. The only way I can explain it was that everything made perfect sense, he spoke with me for over 1 hour, he was completely honest and I had 100% trust in him rather than having to PUT 100% trust in him. I booked straight away.

Sorry the answer is a bit longwinded, but I think that you will just know rather than trying to conn vice yourself that a surgeon is right for you just because they are good on paper.
You may need to see more than 3, but I wouldn't settle for anyone that you don't feel 100% trust in.

In my personal opinion, I found seeing the PS privately rather than through a company was better for me, but there are great surgeons that work for companies and I have heard good things about The Hospital Group.

Good luck LittleFry and I hope you find your dream-surgeon xx

Its hard to describe, but I guess the only way to explain it is you leave that consultations with confidence. It could be their manner, how long they consulted with you, how in depth they answered your questions, even if you take someone else in with you, their feelings of how it went.

I was very naïve when I got mine done and only saw one surgeon, which I would never recommend now with hindsight (hadn't found this place), but me and my husband both felt very confident putting my body in his hands, even now at post ops 18m on, he is still very reassuring.

You'll know the feeling when you meet the right one!

Hi Littlefry, 

How have you got on?

I understand where you are coming from about the lack of exercise, but I just have to think that you can't have it all, and its only 6 weeks, in the grand scheme of things it is really not that much at all. Says me who is stressing out majorly over this!

Hi COOKIE,
Yes you're right, these complications are fairly rare, I'm not sure why I am so worried about it.
I wish I was a ballerina! I'm not a professional dancer, I do it as a hobby twice a week and so I am most definitely not in tip top condition lol but I do ok. 

It's not that I don't think I can stop myself from exercising, I'm not a compulsive exerciser lol
It's just that it really bugs me that it's so long. 6 weeks is a long time. But I guess there is just nothing I can do about that. I just wanted to moan about it lol
Thank you :)


Hi lairyfairie,
Your explanation makes sense... it's good to hear how it all clicked in place for you, it's really interesting.
I definitely need to see another surgeon.
Thanks 


Hi Charlii,
I guess you got pretty lucky with your surgeon then. That's good. But yea I understand what you're saying and appreciate your feedback.


Hi drinkeroftea,
Yes you're right, in the grand scheme of things it's not that long. I just think when I go back to ballet, it's going to be horrendous for me but hey ho, I just have to accept that I guess...
I'm definitely going to book a consultation with another surgeon, maybe 2.
I'm thinking Nilesh Sojitra at Spire Harpenden and Muhammad Javid at Pinehill Hitchin.
I hope your procedure goes well :)

LOL, well moan away babes. We have good ears and we can take it 

6weeks really isn't that long when you're living it hun. Sometimes some women just need a little reality check through their recovery when they start feeling better and want to get back to normality and their excercise, but the great thing is they know to come to us and they know they'll get honesty from us and we help them get back on the wagon before they do do any damage...

So know that we're here for you too LittleFry and it's nice to see you enjoying your ballet. My daughter danced ballet from 2 years old to 20 years old. She had the body of an athlete. It's an excellent workout to keep your body fully toned that's for sure. Xx

:D well thank you so much.
It's so great to have found somewhere to talk about all this :)

I really appreciate your support and the time you took to reply to my posts :)

A little update...
I've had a consultation with Nilesh Sojitra and it was really good.
He set my expectations and answered all the questions I had.
So now I have a choice to make... Nilesh was brilliant but I keep going back to Nicholas James in my head. I just feel he is more experienced. The more I think about it, the more I think Nicholas James was right for me all along and I just needed to see another surgeon for comparison.
But I can't find many people who have had Nicholas James. In fact, I haven't found anything on this forum after doing a search.
So I'm going to create a separate post to ask if anyone has had him :)

LittleFry