I have had cosmetic surgery.
Contrary to what most people assume, it is not my breasts which I have
had done (apparently I look like the sort who would do that; whatever that
means) Nope these baps are my own! I have had a tummy tuck. I sport an almighty scar from one hip to the
other and a brand new belly button. Do I
mind the scar? No. Did it hurt? Of course. Would I do it again with hindsight?
Absolutely. My reason for doing it?
Vanity, self esteem, to fit into clothes more comfortably? All the above.
After my daughter was born I exercised like a maniac and ate
the most depressing selection of health foods and within 3 months I was below
my pre-pregnancy weight. “Show off” I
can hear you say, it was 3 months of very hard work done at the lowest part of
my life (suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and my so-called
achievement did not make me look better, I looked haggard, grey and had about
as much personality as a bowl of porridge!
I gave birth to my son 18 months later by cesarean section
and found that without the depression to back it up, the exercising was not as
frantic and although I had less to lose this time round, I took it at a healthy
steady pace to get my figure back. Problem
was though that the more I slimmed down, the more people asked if I was
pregnant again, due to the classic baby sack skin I was left with as a result
of the cesarean which would never go without surgery.
I made several appointments with Manchester Clinic, Transorm & met 2
Surgeons; I did some serious homework on both theirs and the hospitals
credentials. When I was happy and
confident with them I handed over £5,500 and nervously awaited the day when
surgery would be performed.
I had some apprehension over the fact that even though I was
in good health and a non-smoker, there was always the possibility of
complications. I felt an enormous amount
of guilt that I was not only spending a lot of money which as far as everyone
else was concerned could be put to better use, but I was also risking myself at
the expense of my children who could not care less if I had a jelly belly but
would be devastated if Mummy went to Heaven because of it; this was not being
over-dramatic as my surgeon had explained that this was the most high risk
operation which they perform.
The day of the operation arrived and my Dad reluctantly took me to the
hospital. I was asked to wait in the
foyer with about six other women, the nurse eventually arrived and asked us to
follow her upstairs. “That’s right Lynz,
get on the conveyor belt” said my Dad a little too loudly, earning himself a
murderous look from every female in the room, he might have been tactless but
he was right on the money with the way us ladies were feeling.
In the short stay ward the girls and I all sneakily eyed
each other, making bets with ourselves as to what surgery we think the others had come
in for. Behind a curtain later that morning, a Surgeon arrived to draw with a marker pen on my tummy, followed by the
Anesthetist who told me in monotone what to expect. A quick blood pressure check and I was
wheeled into the operating theatre.
I awoke in my private room, calm and comfortable and in no
pain at all... unless I tried to move. I
decided that I would not drink much water as the thought of getting up to use
the toilet was terrifying - good plan except for the fact that I had a drip
pumping fluid into me anyway so I quickly abandoned that idea. The care from my nurses was excellent, as was
the food. The first night that I was in
I decided to watch Holby City and can you believe there was a storyline on
about a woman who dies from complications due to a tummy tuck done abroad? The
seriousness of my operation hit home yet again.
The results were excellent.
I regained my confidence and am still pleased that I have done it but to
anyone considering cosmetic surgery, I cannot express the importance of doing
your research strongly enough. Take
advice from your GP as well as the Aesthetic surgeon and do not be pressured by
any person, trend or fashion. My biggest
gripe was that the fashion for low slung trousers and short tops made it
impossible for me to find anything to wear and blow me if the fashion just 6
months on isn't high-waisted trousers and long tops. £5,500 could have bought me a whole new wardrobe
and a holiday.
The hospital which performed my surgery was Transform, Greater Manchester, Although, Transform do have hospitals in London, Belfast & Scotland too.
- Note: This post has in no way been sponsored by Transform or any other Cosmetic Surgery practise but is a genuine account of my surgical procedure.
- First published in 2007 edition of Denbighshire Free Press.
Thanks for sharing your story! Electing to have cosmetic surgery is a big decision, and it's good you're happy with the results. And I'm impressed with the homework that you did beforehand. As a patient, doing that goes a long way in preventing problems, and in making sure that you communicate to the doctor what your end goals are. You're right in conducting research about the procedure, doctor, and the facility, as you want to have all your bases covered and well-accounted for. Take care!
ReplyDeleteGlenn Lowe @ Knight & Sanders Plastic Surgery
Thank you for your comment Glenn. Yes, I made sure to research my surgeon, anaesthetist, the medical group & all BAAPS registrations. It was a huge decision to have the surgery & I am very pleased with the results.
ReplyDeleteNice Post. Thanks for sharing this valuable information and it is useful for me and who are looking for Tummy Tuck Treatment.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the post insightful Alisha & thank you for your comment. Wishing you well x
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