Thursday 26th June, 2007

What an exciting week it's been !
I had a phone call from the plastic surgeon's secretary last week and she was all but pencilling me in for my tummy tuck on October 4th. When I mentioned my boobs being done at the same time though she had to rub that out as I needed a longer theatre slot for boobs as well. She asked what I was having done to my boobs and as we had not talked about them at my consultation in March, I didn't know. So she asked me to see him at the weekend for a consultation and get things sorted. I saw him on Sunday just gone for a consultation and I was right to leave my dignity at home that day ! I was given a little cape thing, and told to remove my top. He measured me from the neck to the nipple on both sides and then told me that they should be at 21cm but mine were at 30cm ! 9cm droopy ! Then he went on to mold my right breast like a lump of play dough into a perky uplifted number ! Al and I had talked extensively about breast surgery, and we'd decided that due to the weight loss from the top part of my breast, I'd need an implant. I felt I would probably need both an uplift and an implant, and since the implant needed a cut under the breast anyway, having an uplift at the same time would be no big deal. All I want at the end of the day is a chest that I can look down at and be happy with. It was important to me that Al was there for the consultation because this is all part of my sexuality and he is the one that that matters the most to me. If he doesn't like my plastic surgery or is not happy with what I am left with post op then it would be bad ! He was happy as I was with the decision that I should have an uplift and implants, although the implants cannot be chosen until I get there in October because I am still losing weight and likely to be a dress size or so less by then. ( Here's hoping !).
We talked about types of implant, and he is using a silicone round implant for me, with a lifetime guarantee which means I won't have to go back to theatre to get it replaced in the future which was a concern for me. He poked my tum about a bit too, and confirmed that I would have a water melon type tummy tuck with a bit of lipo at the sides to help prevent any dog ear bits at the side. I was really enthused coming away from the appointment.
I phoned the secretary back on monday and she gave me a tentative date of 25th October ( how ironic that this was the date since it would be my 1 year opiversary!). Then she phoned me again on tuesday and confirmed November 1st for the surgery. It is no longer pencilled in either. It's inked in ! The PCT have approved funding and we are good to go. YIKES !
It was a close thing apparently because back in March I did not meet the criteria ( and in theroy I still don't !) but since I saw him again at the weekend, they can take my consultation date as that date and operate within the next 6 months. That is how we got November 1st. I wondered if I had not been paying for boobs at the same time privately if he would have been as keen to keep me on the list. I would hope so, but either way, it's ok !! I am on the list and I am going to be 'done' on November 1st. Al has booked annual leave and now all I need to do is find a travelling companion. Ellen is away, and Kathryn can't come cos it's her daughters birthday. I have asked Lorraine so we will see if the new date suits her and she can make it. Mum and Dad will be coming up to see me probably too.
I know it's going to be hard on Alan and the kids, my being away again, but this is the last time. I don't intend to have any more surgery !! Being away from them near killed me before, but this is a shorter time away thank god, so I will survive and so will they. Al seems quite excited about the surgery for me. Don't know if this is the thought of my new jubblies or being pleased for me to be having the body I have always wanted. Probably a mix of the two !!