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Angela’s breast reduction surgery

Angela, breast reduction patient at Benenden Hospital

“I went from a H cup to a D cup after having Breast Reduction Surgery and arm Liposuction at Benenden Hospital,” Says Angela from West Sussex, who self-paid for her surgery under the care of our Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, Mr Simon Mackey in April 2024. Discover her journey to a better quality of life.

How were your breasts affecting your everyday life prior to reduction surgery?

“Prior to surgery I didn’t like undressing in changing rooms and felt very self-conscious. I had shoulder pain from the indentation of bra straps and really wanted to do more exercise and sports but felt uncomfortable. I struggled to find swimwear and lingerie that was in my size unless bought from expensive specialist shops. I hated looking at photographs of myself, as all I could see was the disproportionate shape of my body.”

Video transcript

My name is Angela. I'm 52.

I live in West Sussex. I underwent breast reduction surgery at Benenden Hospital in April 2024. Prior to surgery, I never liked changing in public changing rooms.


And it was very difficult to find any swimwear or lingerie in my size. I'd have to go to specialist shops which were always a lot more expensive.
I never liked looking at photographs of myself because of the disproportionate size of my body. And it was at Christmas that I went for a bra fitting and I'd increased in size by another cup size. And my  husband wanted to buy me a dress at Christmas time and I got very frustrated in the shops because I couldn't find anything that would fasten at the back. It fitted me on the bottom.

So I elected at that point to say this is enough. I really want to have the surgery. I've been a Benenden Health member for over 20 years and when I was looking for reputable surgeons, Mr Mackey appeared and as a member I explored further and he was a very reputable surgeon. I also knew Benenden Hospital would provide excellent post operative care over a clinic or just going to a cosmetic surgery clinic. So I decided to investigate further and book my initial consultation.


At my first consultation. I met Kate Comrie and she's the specialist cosmetic nurse and she immediately made me feel at ease. She was very friendly, very professional. She took me through to meet Mr Mackey
and again, he made good eye contact. He didn't use medical jargon.
He made me totally feel at ease and he explained the procedure.
He also explained that I may require some liposuction under the arms,
which would certainly help with my overall frame after the procedure. He was exactly what I was looking for in a surgeon, very personable and professional. 

So after the first consultation, it was explained to me that I would require
a second consultation so that I'd had time to process all of the information that I'd been told. And if it was something I definitely wanted to go ahead with that, the second consultation, then I would sign the paperwork and a date would be agreed when I would be coming in to have the surgery.


So the drive through the countryside is just beautiful. Especially in spring coming along in April on arriving at the hospital, the car park had lots of free spaces. It's directly next to the main entrance. And the I was greeted by a very friendly receptionist who directed me to the cosmetic suite which was very clean, bright, very calming. And the feel of the whole hospital is the cleanliness. All the staff you encounter from the porter to the nurses are very, very personable and friendly. I was really impressed with the room.

I had a lovely sized en-suite and then very shortly afterwards, once I'd had time to settle in, I I met the anaesthetist and everybody that would be assisting me throughout the day, Kate Comrie, the cosmetics nurse was there. She came in with Mr Mackey and immediately it was nice to see a friendly face.

Mr Mackey then had to draw on my breasts where he'd been making the
incisions, which did make me feel very nervous, but he assured me that that wouldn't be the scarring and  that it was just to assist him  throughout the surgery. I was concerned about the nipple area because I knew it would have to be removed.

Mr Mackey assured me that they would keep the blood flow
and the nipple area attached if they could. So it would ensure that the tissue would survive when reattached. Mr Mackey came to visit me
probably around an hour after I'd come round after the surgery, he
explained that everything had gone very well and that he took the compression off to show me the scars.

I was quite apprehensive at first. However, I became quite emotional when I saw my shape in the mirror and I just had feelings of regret that I hadn't had the surgery done a long time ago, they looked perfect to me.

Although obviously I had tapes on where the scars were. It was such a vast improvement. I thought I would be in a lot of pain, but surprisingly, I could manage the discomfort with paracetamol that I just was recommended to take every four hours. I had two compression bras
that Kate had before the surgery recommended that I bought and then I changed them to help with the recovery. I had tapes on the scarring which were removed after six weeks, but they stayed on for the entire time.

Every time I would catch my reflection in a shop window or the mirror at home. I just couldn't believe I kept smiling and couldn't believe the new shape. My posture improved, my clothes fitted better. People commented
that they thought I'd lost a lot of weight, but they weren't quite sure that
I'd had the surgery, to, to reduce my breasts.

At my six week post op, I was again met by Kate Comrie and went through to see Mr Mackey. He was very pleased with the results.
The scarring was symmetrical, very neat. And after the initial surgery, they did appear very high and quite firm, but I was reassured they
would drop and be more natural, which once the swelling had subsided they certainly did look a lot more natural.

Mr Mackey was very pleased with the results and the tapes were removed and I was told that I could go for a bra fitting to find out my new size.

It has totally changed the way I feel about my body and I used to be an H cup prior to the surgery. And then I went for a professional bra fitting and was measured as a 34 D. Now, all the underwear in the regular
stores are accessible to me.

I purchased two swimsuits that are just, they fit perfectly. My body's in proportion. I go to Pilates regularly. I go on the trampoline with my eight year old daughter wearing a regular bra and it has totally changed my confidence and the way I dress and the way I feel about myself, if anybody is struggling with the side effects of having extremely large
breasts, I would totally recommend that they come to Benenden Hospital, meet Mr Mackey and with his friendly professional team,
it's a painless surgery and six months down the line, I can sit here and say it was the best thing that I did.

I regret not doing it earlier. However, it's improved my life in so many ways that I didn't think possible.

At what point did you decide to get your breast surgery?

“At Christmas, I went for a bra fitting and was told my cup size had increased. At the same time, my husband and I we were invited to a new year’s party and he kindly offered to take me shopping for a dress. We went to so many shops and every dress I liked wouldn’t fasten at the top. I was really upset and it was at this point that I decided enough was enough and decided to look into breast reduction surgery as an option.”

Why did you choose Benenden Hospital for your surgery?

“I chose Benenden Hospital for my Breast Reduction Surgery as I have been a member of Benenden Health for over 20 years and they offer a 10% discount on Cosmetic Surgery procedures. When looking for reputable surgeons, Benenden Hospital was a name I knew I could trust, and Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, Mr Simon Mackey was highly recommended.”

What happened during your first and second consultations?

Initial consultation

“At my initial consultation I was met by Kate Comrie, the Clinical Nurse Specialist in Plastics and Cosmetic Surgery and Mr Simon P Mackey. They both immediately put me at ease and had a professional, friendly manner. Mr Mackey has a wealth of experience and explained everything to me clearly in a language that was easy to understand without medical jargon!

“Kate supported me throughout the consultations and the procedure. Nothing was too much trouble, and she instantly replied to any questions or change of appointments. I was made aware of all possible risks during the procedure, and the statistics around them.”

Liposuction

“I elected to have some liposuction under my arms, as I had quite a lot of fatty tissue and Mr Mackey said it would help with my overall physical frame after my operation. It was explained that the nipples would be moved but remain attached to breast tissue, ensuring blood flow remained during the procedure.”

Second consultation

“After the first consultation, I was told I would come in for a second consultation after a cool-off period to ensure I was making the right decision for me and to process all the information I’d be given. During this second visit, I was examined and had photographs and measurements taken, Kate was with me the whole time too. It was such a relief to hear these words from Mr Mackey: ‘I can certainly improve your shape, and you will feel and look so much better’.

“I signed the papers to go ahead with surgery and Mr Mackey and I agreed a date for my breast reduction surgery.”

How did you feel on the day of your surgery?

“On the day of the procedure, I was very nervous but also excited. The hospital is so calm and well organised. There’s lots of free parking and it’s immaculately clean. I was shown to my private en-suite ward room that had everything I needed. The nurse in charge kept checking on me and updating me, explaining exactly what would happen and at what time. I met the Anaesthetist and the all the staff who I would be encountering during my stay. Everyone was so personable and helpful.

“Mr Mackey came to see me, along with Kate, and he drew the lines on to my breasts that he needed to see during surgery. This was the only point I felt anxious as it did seem rather a lot of incisions! Again, he explained and reassured me that these lines would not be the scarring, which helped put my mind at rest.”

What happened when you woke up after surgery?

“I went down to the operating theatre for my procedure at lunchtime and opened my eyes again on the ward, where a nurse told me everything had gone well, and she got me a cup of tea. I was wearing a corset type bandage and when I glanced down, I could immediately see the volume of breast tissue was smaller. I felt quite nervous to see what lay beneath the bandage and was quite emotional.

“I had my nursing observations (routine checks to monitor recovery during admission) checked regularly. I slept really well after messaging friends and family to let them know all was well. When Mr Mackey and Kate visited in the late afternoon, I got to see my new shape for the first time. I felt quite tearful, and I explained that they were tears of relief and regret at not having this surgery earlier. They looked perfect to me.

“I also had two small drains under each arm due to the liposuction that were removed after a few hours. As the surgery was taking place in a hospital as opposed to a clinic, I felt that I would receive excellent post operative care, and this was certainly the case.”

“I was able to manage my discomfort post-surgery by taking regular paracetamol every four hours for the first couple of days. I was discharged from hospital the following morning with everything I needed and contact numbers if I had any questions.”

How did you find your recovery?

“The next two weeks I followed Mr Mackey’s instructions and didn’t lift anything or move around too much. I kept looking in the mirror at my new breasts and smiling at the improvement to my confidence and my posture! I couldn’t wait to buy a new swimsuit or even a bikini that I wouldn’t have considered previously.

“I’d bought two compression bras before the surgery, recommended by Kate, and I rotated these by wearing them day and night. The scarring was visible but very neat and symmetrical, my new breasts were very firm and high, but I was reassured they would drop slightly, which they now have. I changed the dressings myself and was able to shower on day two, just patting the tapes dry as advised. I returned to work after only three weeks.

What happened during your follow-up appointments?

“At my six-week post operative appointment, I was again greeted by Kate Comrie and was taken through to see Mr Mackey. He was very pleased with my results; the scarring was symmetrical and neat. My tapes were removed, and I was told I could go for a bra fitting to find out my new size.

“I just had my final follow-up appointment (3 September) and I’m so impressed by the care I’ve received from springtime until now. I am only six months post op and although the scarring is still quite visible, I know this will fade over time. It is totally worth the relief and renewed confidence I now have when I see my reflection.”

What improvements has your breast reduction made to your life?

“Surgery has totally changed the way I feel about my body. I used to be a H cup prior to surgery and then I went for a professional bra fitting and was measured as a 34D. Now all the regular underwear is available to me. It was such a shock to see all the pretty beautiful lingerie available in my size.

“I bought two regular size swimsuits that fitted perfectly. My confidence has rocketed, and I now do regular Pilates classes and can go on the trampoline with my daughter and feel that my posture has improved greatly.

“I would completely recommend Mr Mackey and his friendly, professional team and am so grateful to them for all the care and support I’ve been given. I feel I am now living within the right shaped body! It has improved my body in so many ways I didn’t think possible.”

Female breast reduction surgery at Benenden Hospital

To find out more about female breast reduction surgery and our other cosmetic procedures please complete our online enquiry form, contact us via Livechat or call our Private Patient team on 01580 363158.

Published on 27 September 2024