Nearly two years ago I had breast reduction surgery performed by Dr Patrick Briggs and I could not be more satisfied with the experience or the outcome of the surgery and its impact on my life.
My life before the surgery, and particularly the ten years leading up to it, was filled with suffering of both physical pain and emotional turmoil.
At an estimated J cup size my back, neck, and shoulders could no longer cope with the burden of my breasts and I was living with increasing amounts of agonising pain and suffering spinal curvature. I had to have physical therapy massages trying to coax the vertebrae back the natural direction and it was an excruciating process to undergo. I would also often get pressure sores from bra straps.
Carrying breasts that large is also a very undignified way of living, I found it quite dehumanising, as I was often treated like a walking freak show (I'm quite certain people think large breasts make you deaf so they can say whatever they like as they nudge their mate and point). I felt more like an animal than a person on many occasions, and after being badly sexually harassed (and frightened and humiliated) on public transport I began to need to have my mother escort me if I needed to go anywhere beyond my local area.
Although my need for reduction surgery was clearly very significant and becoming urgent I did not have a lot of options since my financial resources were limited and to get the surgery in the public health system could take several years. This only added to my hopelessness and despair.
In eight years before meeting Dr Briggs I had consultations with two private surgeons and another through a public hospital. The first of the private clinic surgeon's gave me a quote I could in no way afford (at that time having no private health insurance). Years later I had private health insurance and decided to meet another surgeon, I could not afford the quote at that time, and by the time I had saved money I would need a new (and let's face it, higher) quote. I then met with the public surgeon who gave me little hope of receiving surgery in under 5 years.
It was then that the chip on my scrappy little shoulder began to burn with resentment and I determined I would save enough to pay for surgery myself, on my terms. I mention this, and the other surgeons I met with because they are significant to me – when I was referred to Dr Briggs by my GP I approached my first appointment with trepidation – after all the same GP had referred me to the other surgeons, none of whom I felt comfortable with or had a great bedside manner. I wasn't looking forward to another appointment of being weighed, measured, and appraised and not overly hopeful that I was in the right place at the right time (I never had been before!)
Almost immediately I was put at ease by the obvious empathy and kindly nature of Dr Briggs, which is really saying something since no one in my position is glad to take their top off and be examined by someone they just met. I also felt the same way about Jo, the nurse who was present and has also always taken excellent care of me. From the first meeting I felt that both Dr Briggs and Jo treated me with the utmost respect and never made me feel embarrassed or awkward. That is gold!
The surgery itself was excellent, I felt it went very well and I was able to go home the next day, I had all the care and attention I needed in the weeks following and knew that I would be welcome any time if I had questions or anything arose. Quite fortunately everything went really well for me, and I was able to stop taking pain medication within 3 days – and my recurring pain problems from before the surgery were dramatically improved. I was experiencing a life I had forgotten all about in the last few years of pain and isolation.
I am so filled with happiness and confidence now, I don't even need my mother as a human shield when out and about, which is exactly as it should be. I really feel that I have been liberated, and am so joyful every day, and very grateful for everything.