Cosmetic Surgery: am I Mad?

Just one player, Ella?

am eating my tea so not going to rush off an measure bits of me. I know my waist is now less than 80 cms because i decided i needed to reduce it when i read somewhere that healthy waist measurement = less than 80cm - can sneak up on you can't it.
Definitely another pear shaped woman and proud of it. Big strong thighs very useful things to have. Never for a minute wished bust bigger.
crimson I think that thing about hip fat being a special toxin deposit is a myth put about by the evil purveyors of so called "cellulite" creams.
Chins, the end of them, grow a bit with age as well as noses and ears. But not as much as some people's breasts it seems.

Greatnan What are you suggesting?

One week from today I see the man for that 10-minute free consultation at the local Spire hospital and then, take it from there. I'm surprised at how my OH has swung round in his thinking. Up to now, over the past few years, he's always said 'no, no, too dangerous, all surgery is risky' etc etc. Now, he understands why, and he couldn't be more supportive. Bless him! Not long after we got together I had revision of hip replacement in that same hospital and I opened my eyes to see him sitting by my bed watching blood going through a drip. That was in the days when I could afford to pay for private health insurance, or at least, I couldn't really afford it, but I regarded it as essential because I couldn't afford not to be mobile and to go to work. Since retirement I gave it up, hence NHS surgery for the next hip revision and gynae surgery, but since OH and I each get pensions income independently of each other and we live fairly simply although comfortably, we end up with savings. Which is what I intend to tap into for this surgery, assuming the surgeon agrees. Apparently there is no upper age-limit, but if you go down the NHS route for this, not only is there the waiting - at least 18 weeks from the time you see the surgeon - but for this type of surgery there is referral to a psychologist/psychiatrist, because having too big boobs can affect your mental health and, if it does, you're more likely to get it done. I know people who are waiting for other kinds of surgery via the NHS and they're waiting a lot longer than the official guidelines state. I'd like it done tomorrow only we're away over the New Year, but nothing else planned for this end of the year. As to why boobs get bigger in later life, I don't know the answer to this. It may be something to do with the menopause, hormone levels changing, I don't know.

Margrete - I think reducing breast size is probably not as risky as enlarging it with either fat or implants. I do hope you have done plenty of research on the surgeon - my daughter didn't, and ended up almost dying after what should have been a routine gastric-band operation. The surgeon concerned turned out to have been the subject of 75 different complaints and is now struck off. Her operation was done in a BUPA hospital which had no consultant on call.
As you can imagine, I am normally totally opposed to any cosmetic surgery, but I think you have very genuine medical reasons for wanting this done, and I send you my best wishes for a successful outcome.

I've now been offered an op to even out my boobs by lifting the right one to (hopefully) match the other which is swollen after my lumpectomy in 1996....seems strange to have finally said what I feel after all this time and at 72....but I am going for it.

is this with the hope of being more comfortable allie ?

Well done, Allie. Go for it. I remember a woman I used to visit years ago, back in the 70s when I was a district nurse/midwife. This poor soul had had a mastectomy and, as I had to wash her, I could see this. She had a huge scar right across one side of her chest and on the other side, one huge boob - and I mean, huge. Nowadays, with all the faults of the modern NHS, she'd never be left like that.

Yes, Greatnan, I've read all I possibly can about the surgeon I'm seeing next Saturday. He has experience both from UK and from Australia, also works in the NHS particularly in the burns unit. They all have their own website so you only have to 'google' the name and a lot of information comes up. I've read about reduction mammoplasties that he's done - before and after pics etc. I can't possibly find out any more until I actually meet him face-to-face, which will be a week from now. With my background, I always find out as much as possibly can beforehand - in fact, when OH had prostate surgery in early 2010 I found out a lot more than he wanted to know!!

Jess I would really like to be able to wear a T-shirt and no bra, or just one of those light elastic ones they have been advertising, and answer the door or go out without being embarrassed!

I have a new bra which fits better, but it is still tight around and presses on the left side where I have some lymphoedema. So, two reasons.

Greatnan you said that Judi Dench and Helen Mirren are two women who have aged gracefully. I think they have used Botox, dress well for their age, they are fit and healthy and that always makes people look younger. No growing old gracefully, but they both look good for their ages with a little help.

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Blatant advertising again from surgeons - reported to GN

Allie I did know someone who had a lot of pain after a reconstruction post mastectomy. Is there no non-surgical solution involving a foam insert or anything?
There are very few GNners contributing re mastectomies/ breast cancer aftermath. I can only think of 3 or 4. Given the incidence of BC, there must be a lot more than that of us surely.
Come on you lurkers, tell us about your battered breasts and how you cope with them!

I'd also love to hear from anyone who's had the kind of surgery I'm contemplating - reduction mammoplasty. According to all that I've read, it's stated that there is no upper age limit and one woman aged 72 was cited. I'm a little bit more than that, although still in my 70s. As others have said, some people have big boobs in later life. Does anyone else contemplate doing something about it, or have they?

As regards older actresses/celebs etc, they are people whose business is to be in the public eye and I'm afraid I don't take any notice of how they appear, whether they've 'aged gracefully' or not. They have it all at their fingertips, how to dress, where to get the clothes that enhance their appearance. I like the 'classic' styles, what's called the 'English lady' look. I don't wear pearls, but I do like M&S twin-sets. Blouses are a no-no because they gape or, if they don't gape, they're too baggy, too big for me. Yes, Allie, I too would like to wear just a light bra, not wired, just soft, maybe one that does up at the front, which would be easier for me.

I'm one of those who has often talked about having breast cancer, and yes, it is still uncomfortable, after eight years, where I had what turned out to be an extensive lumpectomy and ancillary clearance. Like you. Alli finding a bra which fits comfortably is a problem, and so are one or two movements, especially a reach, bend and twist to pick something up from the car floor. That hurts! And I am due a mammogram.....

But I have always been well endowed, and have never been able to go bra less anyway, and don't feel I need reconstruction, though I can appreciate people wanting one.

Otherwise, I feel fine. Coming off Tamoxifen was wonderful, but that's another story.

Margrete, a huge difference between plastic surgery and breast reduction. My daughter is the same size as you, and it is causing her all sorts of problems. She always said that she would get her breasts reduced when her child-rearing years were over- but now she has become a partner of a firm, she feels she just can't take the time off for this. She is worried about the fact that due to a very large breast size, the nipple will have to be relocated- so much more serious surgery.

So please, do keep in touch and tell me how you get on. Thanks and bonne chance.

Thank you, granjura. I appreciate there is a difference, but would you believe, it is still listed as cosmetic surgery. The consultants who do it also work in the burns unit and the whole discipline as such really started with the reconstruction work following war injuries. Everyone has heard of Archibald McIndoe, one of the pioneers in the field, and his 'guinea-pigs' were pilots burned in World War Two.

As I understand it from what I've read, it's quite common for the nipple to be relocated during surgery and this doesn't cause any extra difficulty. Have a read of this: http://www.spirehealthcare.com/Cosmetic-Surgery/Our-Treatments/Breast-reduction-surgery/

There are a lot of cosmetic surgery procedures that brings you risks rather than a good appearance. I think the surgeon whom you select has a vital role to make your surgery a success or failure. You have the choice with medication to reduce the after effects.

My daughter's problem arose because the surgeon she chose had a long record of being a very good surgeon - he had removed her gall bladder some years before. He had obviously developed some physical or mental problem that made him careless and inept, but nobody in his team, or the hospital authorities, picked up on this, in spite of a huge number of complaints. The culture throughout the NHS and private medicine seems to be 'Don't tell', no matter how many lives are ruined.

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It defently is a personal thing gettingo but my advise would be a big NO don't do it, especially at 53.

Facelifts always look soo false and never really all that natural, so you are jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

You can always tell when a celeb has had a facelift it looks like there is somene behind them pulling their face back.

There are so many GOOD creams out there now that really help lift and actually do work, I use L'oreal it really is brilliant and works very well.

L'Oréal Paris Revitalift Laser X3 Renew Advanced Anti-Ageing Moisturiser7805098

PS If you do go ahead with it try and do it for yourself and no one else x

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Cosmetic surgery doesn't hold back the ageing process, so those who start with one procedure find they need to have more procedures further down the line to correct other signs of ageing. As it is a gradual process and people become accustomed to what they see in the mirror every day, it seems that they don't realise how weird they have ended up looking.

It is major surgery and the anaesthetic as well as the actual surgery has its risks. You should really think twice about it.

It doesn't matter one jot what anyone else thinks, it's what you want to do go for it it's your life and life can be short.