It seems to be a full circle moment in life for me, as my 18yr old daughter is having a breast augmentation surgery this year, now that she is legally old enough. I personally had plastic surgery at the very same age of 18yrs old, two decades ago now, which changed my life immeasurably and led to worldwide fame and a glowing career in the media. And so it seems, history repeats itself now for my daughter…
After years spent suffering in silence, when my natural breasts failed to develop properly following puberty, I exhausted absolutely every possible avenue to rectify my asymmetrical bust before I sought the permanent solution of having surgery. My doctor first suggested my breast tissue may grow if I took the contraceptive pill, which wasn’t necessary for the purpose of contraception for me, but I took it for years anyway and it made little to no difference.
They also suggested that I pierced my undeveloped breast, and massage it daily with my hands, in order to encourage a greater source of blood flow and stimulate growth. Neither of these actions caused my breast tissue to develop. As an adult, I now understand that I have a hormone imbalance which may be accountable for the fact that my breasts were two different sizes, one completely flat and the other more of a pointy swelling.
My nipples also pointed east and west as opposed to in a forward direction. They were also located on the outer edge of my body, towards my sides as opposed to on my chest. And they were around three inches off in height difference meaning that any bra I wore would have one “breast” within it, whilst the other was sticking out above or below, defeating the object of wearing a bra for modesty or comfort.
Because of this, I worked three jobs as a student to privately fund my plastic surgery of a breast augmentation with silicone implants at the age of 18yrs old in 2005. Raised in a strict catholic family, hospital and health matters were seen as a life or death situation only, and it’s safe to say my relatives were utterly shocked to hear that I had not only met with my surgeon in London, but also selected a surgery date without them knowing anything was of concern to me about my development.
Ultimately, I felt embarrassed, shamed and disfigured for having failed to develop as a woman should, and through the advice of my doctor I sought the end resort to elect for surgery. At that time, I’m aware that women were able to have breast augmentation surgery on the NHS budget for mental health and confidence issues, however this is not a route that I wished to request. As I wanted plastic surgery, I sought Englands best surgeon as opposed to an NHS general surgeon, as maximum expertise achieves the best results.
After a very deep heart to heart, my mother agreed to accompany me at the age of 18yrs to my surgery. She didn’t have to, as I was legally of age to go alone as I’d already arranged, but when she understood my reasoning for having plastic surgery in a world that rarely saw it, it was a huge leap for her in acceptance and support. I felt that I had invested a great deal of my time and effort into researching surgery, understanding the risks and seeking an expert, hence why I had my surgery on Harley Street in London, the epicentre for private healthcare and aesthetics in the UK.
The day that my mother saw my breasts for the very first time she gasped, as she has no idea what I had silently lived with for so long. And whilst she would never have wanted me to change anything about myself, not put myself at risk of going into an operating theatre or suffer a post-surgery recovery, she soon found herself highly supportive of my choice.
With my mother by my side, I didn’t have to go through my surgery alone, despite being mentally and physically prepared to. And as a result of this preparation and mindset, I absolutely sailed through the entire process, smiling and laughing with joy, feeling the greatest sense of mental and physical relief and being enthusiastic to recover and take care of my new body. My deformed underdeveloped and asymmetrical breasts had been rectified, which wasn’t about the size, but simply the right to develop.
Given my height, width and bodyweight, my surgeon advised a 30D cup size to fill up the expanse of my wide, flat chest and bring balance and alignment to my frame, which worked perfectly for me at 5ft8″ in height and around 9.5 stones in weight at the time. It was in-keeping with my body and didn’t make me look too big or too small, but just right, which will be a different size for each individual as there is no one-size-fits-all for the perfect cup size for women.
I was talented spotted by MTV to become a model just a handful of months after having my breast augmentation surgery, which was a career path that I’d never have naturally taken as a student studying psychology, philosophy and English. I believe everything in life happens for a reason, and sometimes we need to say “yes’ to the unexpected, even when we’re incredibly shy or inexperienced. Whilst I never had my surgery with the hope of becoming famous, it was something that came into my life unexpectedly and led to the most incredible, organic career for which I still thrive.
After having my second child in 2012, the main aesthetic advice at the time was to replace smaller implants, that had drooped within loose skin, with larger implants to fill out the deficit, as opposed to having the loose skin removed and facing excessive scarring in my mid twenties. Breast reduction surgery was primarily viewed as something for women to consider in their 50’s or 60’s when wearing bikinis or cleavage-focused tops were no longer prevalent.
I’d heard of many horror stories of huge reduction and uplift scars, looking more like an accident or attack to the bust, as opposed to the small inch-or-two scar discreetly concealed beneath the natural fold of the bust for a routine implant exchange.
With time and age, I’d had larger implants over the years to avoid drooping and loose skin, and at the end of 2024 made the bold leap to have a breast reduction and uplift surgery at the age of 36yrs. My teenage daughter took a keen interest to my decision and asked so many questions, which I was more than happy to answer openly and honestly, not knowing that she was considering the same surgery herself, because of the same imbalance that I faced at her age.
Two Paths, One Goal: Autonomy & Comfort
Whilst I was underdeveloped and severely asymmetrical, which prevented me from wearing a bra or clothing comfortably, my daughter is actually overdeveloped and asymmetrical. This prevents her from wearing a bra without one breast being very squashed and the other falling out of the top of the cup whenever she moves or leans forward. These are two contrasting extremes in breast development, but we have both experienced the shame and embarrassment of puberty with a hidden hormone imbalance.
If you’ve followed my journey over the last twenty years in the media, you’ve seen me evolve through so many chapters. From my most glamorous, which launched my modelling and TV career, to my deeply personal decision to strip it all back, return to natural beauty and reduce my breast implants to a more balanced, natural shape.
Life has come to a beautiful, full-circle moment for me. And as I return to Cosmedica, a team that I’ve trusted with my own body and dental care for years, to finish my own natural teeth straightening journey, I am accompanied by my 18-year-old daughter, Millie, as she undergo’s her breast reduction surgery.
Seeing her choose to have surgery at eighteen feels so interwoven with my own life story, yet her path is entirely her own. I’m overflowing with love to be able to understand and support her through her journey.
For me, my enlargement surgery at 18yrs old corrected my asymmetry and gave me the confidence to step into the world, resultantly build a career in media, and amass a beautiful community of nearly 5 million social media followers worldwide.
Millie is starting her adult life from a very different place, but with the exact same right to feel at home in her own skin. Natural beauty is about celebrating who you are, but as women we also have an absolute right to bodily autonomy, whether that means enhancing, reducing, or restoring what once was.
Millie is absolutely perfect in my eyes as the individual soul that she was born to be. If she didn’t change a single thing about herself, she would still be the most beautiful, incredible soul. This trip isn’t about vanity or chasing an unattainable standard for beauty. For Millie, this is a medical necessity to reclaim her quality of life.
Carrying A Heavy Burden
Unless you have lived with very large, heavy, natural breasts, it is hard to understand the toll that it takes on a young girl’s body. I have watched Millie battle constant back, neck, and shoulder pain since her early teens, and seen the deep red indents that her bra straps leave on her shoulders. I’ve seen how the sheer physical size and weight makes everyday life, posture and movement so unpleasant and uncomfortable for her.
Just as young girls suffer when their breasts fail to develop properly like mine, young women also face real physical and emotional struggles when they develop too much as well. As women, we have every right to seek relief from pain, and this surgery is about giving Millie a body that allows her to live free from physical pain, free from the limitations of being top-heavy, and free from unwanted judgment. She is exercising her right to a healthy, happy future which I support wholeheartedly.
Debunking The Myth About Scarring
I know that breast reduction surgery in the past has been given a bad reputation online, mostly because women are terrified of living with dramatic scarring. But let me show and reassure you, as someone who has personally been through it, that it is not as terrible as people believe.
After my own reduction a year ago, I watched the pinky-red incision lines fade month by month. After a year post-op, they become beautifully unnoticeable, turning to a light skin colour that is concealed within a bra line or bikini top. This tiny, faded line is such a microscopic price to pay for the sheer freedom, peace, and physical balance that comes with having a breast reduction and I would personally make the very same choice to downsize over and over again.
Having my reduction gave me a sense of peace and balance in my own body that I hadn’t even realised I was missing for so long. I know that it will bring the exact same peace and freedom from pain for Millie too, and I couldn’t be happier to support her through her journey.
My Advice To The Next Generation Of Young Woman
If my twenty years in the public eye, and my own surgical history have taught me anything, it’s this: please make choices that are right for your individual body, and avoid the extremes or outrageous fashion trends.
I chose to have large silicone breasts for the majority of my adult life, and while it felt right for me then, I eventually reached a point in life where I wanted to strip it back. My advice to any young woman considering having cosmetic or reconstructive surgery is to think about your longterm balance. Please don’t do anything so excessive that it might negatively impact your mental health or cause you to experience regret down the line.
Listen to your body, not the latest trends, and seek a highly qualified surgeon who specialises in breast augmentation surgery. It’s all too easy to get swept up into the excitement of making changes to your body, and when surgeons advise against making such extreme decisions, many people move on to the next surgeon on the list to make the very same outrageous request until they eventually find one who will do it.
Please ask yourself, is the size that you are considering altering your body to something that you will still appreciate in 5, 10, 15 or 20yrs from now when you are focused on your career, fitness, motherhood or life goals. Will being larger busted affect your ability to train, your posture, your intimate relationships and the way that people perceive your appearance?
We are flooded with pop stars, celebrities and influencers who do everything and anything to stand out, be seen and cause a stir. From dressing in outrageous clothing to overusing botox, fillers and plastic surgery to achieve a body that could never be natural or healthy. Just because it attracts attention, it does not mean that it’s good attention, it does not equate to respect, acceptance or peace.
Ultimately the right decision for you is the one that you can live with happily, longterm in life. Making rash or drastic choices now can become an expensive mistake to rectify in the future. I strongly encourage young women, mothers and ladies of all ages to think long and hard about undergoing surgery, to do your research and seek the worlds finest surgeons to minimise risk and maximise healthy, natural results that you will love for a lifetime.
Scheduling For Surgery In Turkey
Here we stand, two generations of women, mother and daughter, taking charge of our personal health, our natural smiles, and our right to comfort. I am so incredibly proud of Millie for having the courage to make a choice that prioritises her wellbeing, which I know wasn’t easy for her, and took many years for her to address and voice after suffering in silence.
Being there to hold her hand throughout this journey is the most natural thing in the world for me. To all of the mothers out there who are guiding their daughters through their own journeys, and to every woman fighting for her right to feel comfortable in her own skin, please know that I see you, I support you, and I am sending you all so much love.
Today we confirmed Millie’s surgery, in alignment with our dentistry so that we can have our multiple procedures and check up’s during our stay. The team at Cosmedica Aesthetics and Cosmedica Dental are so incredibly caring and professional, and have provided us with our full itinerary for our stay. We simply have to step on a plane in England and every aspect is entirely taken care of and timed to perfection, including our return.
Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul
• VIP airport transfer to hotel
• Hotel check-in
• Rest and free time
Day 2: Dental Consultation & Treatment
• Consultation with the dental team
• Planned dental procedures
• Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 3: Millie’s Plastic Surgery
• Pre-operative consultation with the surgeon
• Breast Reduction Surgery
• Admission to hospital
Day 4: Hospital Stay
• Post-operative monitoring and care
• Daily doctor and nursing assessments
Day 5: Discharge From Hospital
• Post-operative monitoring and care
• Daily doctor and nursing assessments
• Transfer back to the hotel
• Recovery and rest
Day 6: Dental Follow-Up Appointment
• Review and continuation/completion of dental treatment if required
Days 7-8: Recovery Period
• Follow-up checks with the medical team
• Final check-up assessment with the surgeon
• Time to rest and enjoy a comfortable recovery at the hotel
Day 9: Departure
• Transfer to the airport for the flight home
The Countdown Begins
The two week countdown has officially begun, which means packing and finalising arrangements for pet care and childcare for our animals and Millie’s younger brother, who will not be joining us, as he will be at school. The taxi is booked and the clock is ticking!
Something that I really appreciate about the aftercare at Cosmedica is the ability to rest and recovery in peace, with a medical team always on hand. Having such a busy, active life as a mother with ADHD, I never sit still or take a day off, but after having surgery it’s so important to prioritise rest, just as much as taking gentle walks and rebuilding strength to return home.
Whilst our dogs are bundles of love and enthusiasm, they like to jump onto our laps and lick our faces when we sit down, so knowing that Millie can have a week of recovery away from pets or daily routine is really important for preventing complications and infection.
It will also be lovely to be visit little cafes, restaurants, gift shops, mosques and the bazaar together, as Istanbul is such a beautiful city, and in September it’s the perfect blue skies and sunshine without being overwhelming, as English weather starts to fade.
We have timed Millie’s surgery to take place three weeks before her 19th birthday, which allows her to recover enough to feel like herself again before her celebrations. She’ll of course be taking it easy upon her return home after surgery, as I’m able to keep a watchful eye on her as she has two weeks off of work to rest and recover. She has plenty of books and a passion for writing to pursue, so nestled up in cosy blankets, eating healthy meals and taking gentle walks will get her back to her best again in due course.
It also gives me the chance to be a mother hen, as both of the children are now teenagers they’ve become so grown up and independent which is great, but I also love taking care of them. There’s something special about your mother bringing you cups of tea and sharing sandwiches in the garden together at lunchtime that are so precious and priceless.
Millie’s recovery is the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time together, talk about future plans and for her to follow her interests in creativity to pass the time before she returns to work. Of course she cannot lift anything heavy and will have limited movement in raising her arms until further through her recovery, so I can help out with hair washes and getting her dressed, following on from the care of the nurses and medical team in Turkey. Face masks, movie marathons, pedicures and making plans!
Departure Day: Leaving The UK For Istanbul, Turkey
Mid September is a really lovely time of year to visit Istanbul in Turkey, as the children have returned to school so spaces are not so busy or crowded. The weather typically peaks at around 29 degrees in August, 25 degrees in September and 20 degrees in October, so it’s warm and pleasant without being too hot.
Whenever I head to Turkey I always leave space in my suitcase to bring back gifts and trinkets for loved ones back home, and so we’ve packed with a spot of shopping in mind. Visiting at the end of summer also means that we don’t need lots of thick, heavy or chunky clothing as it’s mostly summer dresses, tops and light jackets for the evening.
How quickly our trip has come around and how perfectly I managed to finish all of my to-do’s, empty the fridge and get the house sorted for when we return. Little things like having meals prepared in the freezer, the laundry folded, the beds changed and work deadlines out of the way means that the rest and recovery that we enjoy in Turkey can extend to our arrival home in a calm, quiet space rather than hitting the ground running.
Setting off for our lunchtime flight, it was lovely to not have to wake up in the middle of the night or battle our sleep routines and feel like zombies for missing meals or bed time. After a hearty breakfast we hopped in the car to the airport to enjoy the excitement of our mother-daughter time together.
And it’s been the most chilled out, uplifting day snacking in the airport lounge, browsing the duty free and reading side by side on the plane. As I’m fortunate to be able to work remotely, I was able to tie up some work projects in-flight on my laptop and phone, which made the 3hrs50 journey pass in the blink of an eye.
Leaving behind the grey skies of England, we touched down to beautiful golden sunset and the gentle end of summer that we’d already said goodbye to at home a few weeks ago. Collected from the airport by our chauffeur, we were taken to our hotel, checked in by the concierge and had a 21:30 room service dinner after a shower and freshen up for our first night in the city.
How seamlessly our journey from home to hotel was, as every aspect was so beautifully planned and executed by the surgical team. It took all of the stress and worries out of travelling abroad, so that we could relax and enjoy some quality time together instead. Just what we both needed!
Day 1: Cosmetic Dentistry
Our first day in Turkey began with cosmetic dentistry treatments, as we both have different requirements, our individual needs can be met all in one place. Cosmedica Dental is under the Cosmedica services umbrella which provides expert surgery, aesthetics and dentistry to patients from across the world.
I completed the second half of my teeth straightening and wisdom teeth extraction, returning almost a year after having had it started now that my teeth have moved to their final position. I had an x-ray, deep clean, my aligner squares on my teeth removed and my fourth wisdom tooth extracted followed by a dental scan to create my night time retainers.
This entire process took around 90mins and I absolute adore my results! I felt so comfortable throughout and cannot stop smiling for how fresh and natural my straight and healthy teeth look and feel.
I have antibiotics to take twice per day for a week to prevent infection, as well as a mouthwash and pain relief should I need it at any point. My stitches will come out of their own accord over the coming weeks and I’ll be mindful to chew on the other side of my mouth until my gum has naturally healed over.
As this was the start of Millie’s dental treatment, she first completed her medical consent forms, health history and raised any concerns about her teeth. Millie has naturally rounded teeth that are small in size due to their shape and slightly yellow rather than white. Following her consultation with the dentist, her teeth were examined and x-rayed to determine which treatments she would be suitable for, and an individually tailored dental plan then created.
In England she had photographed and sent over pictures of her teeth for reference to have an idea of what could be possible, however arriving for her physical examination allowed a final plan to be selected.
Millie’s dentistry today involved three procedures which are:
– Deep cleaning
– Professional teeth whitening
– Composite bonding
In the UK this would have cost around £3,000, however here in Istanbul it equates to around £620 for reference of costings.
Dental deep cleaning is also known as scaling or root planing, and is a treatment which removes hardened plaque/tartar, bacteria and build-up from around and beneath the gum line. It targets the areas that regular brushing and flossing alone cannot reach and is something that everybody should have routinely.
Unlike a routine dental clean, a deep clean focuses on the surfaces of the teeth below the gums and helps to reduce inflammation and infection associated with gum disease. It can help to naturally improve gum health, reduce bleeding, swelling and bad breath, thereby protecting the teeth and supporting bone health from preventative damage.
Having professional cleaning, every six months, is an important part of maintaining a healthy mouth and keeping your natural teeth stronger and healthier for longer in life.
With super clean teeth, Millie then had an hours teeth-whitening in 15mins sessions, to achieve a naturally white, bright smile. It’s normal for teeth to feel sensitive directly after whitening, so pain relief can be taken, along with brushing with sensitive toothpaste for a few days to relieve any extremes in temperature which naturally subsides.
It’s also recommended that you avoid food and drink that may stain directly after having whitening, such as black coffee, red wine, beer, orange juice, soy sauce, curry or heavily coloured things whilst the pores of the teeth close over to create a protective shield once more and maintain the beautiful results. As well as brushing after consuming food and drink.
Millie then had composite bonding to her front teeth. Composite bonding is a minimally invasive cosmetic dental treatment that is used to reshape naturally rounded, or uneven shaped teeth and create a straighter, more square-edged and uniformed appearance.
A tooth-coloured composite resin is matched and applied directly to the existing teeth and then sculpted to build up the corners and edges, creating the individual desired shape and proportions while maintaining a natural looking smile. Another suitable option offered to MIllie was to have veneers, however for the least invasive approach, composite bonding suited her best.
A putty-like material is bonded to the surface of the tooth with a UV light and polished so that it blends in seamlessly with the natural tooth enamel. Unlike veneers or crowns, composite bonding generally requires little or no removal of healthy tooth structure, making it a more conservative way to alter the appearance of your teeth while retaining the natural teeth underneath.
In just a couple of hours today, Millie’s smile was totally transformed and all of the concerns that she has had about her smile, for a lifetime, were instantly and entirely erased. As a family, we prefer a more natural approach to beauty, and wear little to no makeup, enjoy our natural hair colour and appreciate a low-maintenance appearance as opposed to looking perfect, pristine or like we’ve had work done.
Certainly it’s an individuals choice whether they wish to look more natural or noticeably enhanced with any procedure, as some want a bright white Hollywood smile that can only be achieved with veneers and to be as close to perfection as possible, whilst others wish to enhance what they naturally have and still look and feel very much like themselves. There is no right or wrong choice here, it is entirely down to an individuals preference.
I adore Millie’s results, it’s so in-keeping and sympathetic to her naturally beautiful self, just a more polished and pristine version for a healthy, bright smile that will last her for a lifetime and I couldn’t be happier for her. We returned to our hotel following treatment, before going out for the evening and enjoying a delicious meal near the waterfront before fasting for her surgery first thing tomorrow.
Day 2: Millie’s Surgery
At 7am this morning, we were collected from the hotel by the chauffeur and taken to the Cosmedica hospital where Millie will be having her surgery. Millie had fasted from midnight last night, meaning she had no food or water prior to having surgery. This morning she had a shower before leaving the hotel and upon arrival at Cosmedica we were shown to her private hospital room and all of her pre-operative checks and tests were taken prior to her consultation with the surgeon.
Having surgery outside of the UK isn’t as daunting as it sounds, as the medical concierge keep you informed of every stage and process along the way with a carefully planned itiniery for which everything runs like clockwork, all staff members are fully informed, share notes and communicate instantly and there is no unnecessary waiting around. In the UK it’s not uncommon to expect delays, have to constantly repeat yourself to different members of staff who do not know your details and have never seen your notes, and to never see or contact your surgeon again after discharge. A disjointed and unsupportive experience in the UK that leaves many confused and concerned, however in Turkey it is clear, comfortable, convenient and stress-free.
Upon arrival Millie’s passport was scanned and her consent forms were signed, which involved all surgical processes and legalities covering everything from data protection to anaesthesia consent, surgery and the possibilities of complications.
The staff speak both English and Turkish, with translators also on hand should you have any questions throughout. After signing all documents the medical aspect of the process could then begin. Whilst seated and laying onto of her hospital bed in her private room, Millie had an IV fitted to the back of her hand which allowed her blood to be drawn for testing, as well as her medications administered pre and post-op, from sedation and pain relief to fluids and antibiotics. This meant that she had only one needle rather than a blood draw followed by an IV, for maximum comfort.
She then had an ECG to monitor her heart, with tabs and wires placed across her chest, torso and ankles. Her blood pressure and blood oxygen levels were also monitored via an arm sleeve and finger clip. Finally followed by discussions surrounding lifestyle, medications, allergies and medical history.
As this is Millie’s first surgery, it is also her first general anaesthetic. She has no known allergies, does not smoke or consume alcohol regularly and doesn’t take any medication. From a medical perspective, this is a clean slate for surgery and recovery. She then had her face-to-face consultation with the surgeon, who had previously assessed the photographs that Millie had sent to him at home, in advance of her arrival.
This was an opportunity for the surgeon to examine her breast density, skin type and discuss a selection of reduction and uplift options available to her. She was talked through the entire procedure and given the choice between a “lollipop” or an “inverted T” scar. As I had a breast reduction with implants two years ago, I have the inverted T scar which involves an incision around the edge of the nipple, vertically down to the breast fold and from the outer edge to the inner edge of each bust, making a horizontal, vertical and circular scar.
While this may seem excessive to some, I personally do not find my scarring an issue as it sits naturally within the fold of skin surrounding the edge and underside of the breast and faded from a pinkish red to a pale white thin line making it very discreet.
An alternative option was to have the lollipop scar, which is similar but less invasive, with a circle around the nipple and a vertical line down to the fold of the bust. However this method can cause a small lump to form underneath the bust that may require a small revision after 6-12 months post-op. It’s rare for the lump caused by fluid not to resolve on its own, but is a possibility that it can occur, which requires a local anaesthetic in a short and easy revision if necessary.
As with any surgery, it is always important to understand all of the risks involved and what could go wrong, whilst having effective aftercare in place and ensuring optimum healing. The main concern for this surgery is to maintain the health and blood supply to the nipple and ensure that stitches do not strain or open. Drains may be fitted if necessary, but this will be determined during the surgery due to blood flow, and not automatically presumed.
Having the diagram of Millie’s expected results to hand, we were able to accurate portray the finished result that she would like to achieve, whilst understanding that it is down to what is medically possible during the surgery. A specific bra size therefore cannot be guaranteed for a natural bust without implants, as each lingerie brand measures uniquely, but approximately a cup size would be removed from Millie’s smaller breast and her oversized breast reduced to match this as closely as possible.
The surgeon advised that following this surgery, should Millie wish to have children, she may still be able to breastfeed successfully, but it’s down to every individuals body and ability to produce breast milk, and cannot be guaranteed. I personally had breast surgery at 18yrs old and successfully breastfed both of my children afterwards without any complications.
Finally, Millie wanted to understand her recovery and future aftercare, primarily when she can expect to return to normal activities and routines, for which a natural uplift and reduction has a recovery of just two weeks. She can then return to work, lift heavy objects and have a normal level of comfort.
She also wanted to know if she would be able to go bra-free with a smaller bust. The surgeon advised against this as it puts gravity onto the breast tissue and leads to drooping, sagging and stretching of the skin which can be prevented when wearing a suitably fitted bra. Millie finds wearing bras uncomfortable due to the size difference of her asymmetry and the weight of her bust which causes her bra straps to dig into her shoulders and place pressure on the centre of her chest where the band meets the breast bone.
Following her reduction and uplift, her breasts will be considerably lighter in weight and so an underwired large bra can effectively be swapped for a soft, unwired bra with lesser support, making a great improvement in her day-to-day comfort. She can of course choose to go bra-free should she wish, as can any size of bust, however should she wish for her breasts to stay pert and full for many years to come then it is best to support them with a bra.
After answering all questions, and Millie selecting the lollipop scar method, the surgeon was then able to mark her up for surgery. This involved her standing, sitting and laying down as he took measurements of the natural height, length and placement of her breasts and nipples, before mapping out incision lines and her new nipple placements.
He advised that he will attempt to make her breasts as symmetrical as possible, but it is not possible to be 100% matching in any surgery. There may be a natural difference in size and alignment, as with all women, however this asymmetry will be greatly reduced and she will be able to be fitted for a bra that will support and hold both breasts comfortably instead of one cup being too share and the other too small.
He was incredibly polite, warm, welcoming and knowledgable which put Millie at ease, and as I was able to participate in the consultation and discuss the processes involved, it gave me peace of mind as a parent to know that Millie had made the best decisions for her lifestyle and natural appearance to improve her quality of life and her surgery to be undetectable to all others.
Following the surgeons markings, Millie then met with her anaesthetist who discussed her health, family history and medications once more. At this point we reiterated that Millie has Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome for which he advised she would be fully supports and her limbs kept close to her during surgery to not put any strains on her joints. As all of her test results were healthy and normal, she was then approved to prepare for surgery, changing into surgical stockings, a gown and hair net ready for theatre.
Millie removed all piercings and jewellery before getting into the hospital bed which had been wheeled to her room. This is the bed that she gets into to be transported to the operating theatre, where her 3hr surgery will take place. Leaving 30mins before for surgical set up and sedation, followed by 30mins in recovery before she is returned to her private room, she is now in their hands for the next 4hrs as I wait for her. And so here I am, typing away as I update this diary, drinking coffee, listening to classical music and trying not to watch the clock as the time passes.
So many times I have had surgery, and been in Millie’s position, as my loved ones wait patiently for me to come out of recovery. And today, the roles have been reversed! And now I know how it feels. I understand that it can be a nervous time to hear the news that all is well, but knowing that this is a low-risk procedure and Millie is in safe and capable hands, I feel reassured and enthusiastic for her imminent return.
We will spend two nights in the private hospital room before returning to her hotel, and during this time Millie will be very sleep and remain on bed rest, walking to and from the bathroom and having meals as her completes her IV drips and has her comfort, pain and bloods monitored for a healthy recovery.
I really cannot stress just how important it is to have exceptional aftercare to prevent post-op complications or infections, and for that Cosmedica are exceptional. I am highly aware of the importance of minimising risks and maximising recovery and look forward to Millie being back in her room, watching movies, eating, drinking and resting so that she can get back on her feet in due course and enjoy the sights and sounds of beautiful Istanbul for the duration of our stay.
Millie’s surgery was a great success and the surgeon was about to remove 800g of breast tissue in total, which equated to 600g removed from her largest breast, and 200g removed from the other to bring her to a natural C-cup in size.
She remembers being in the airlock prior to going into surgery, getting into the surgeons table, having her arms secured and cushions placed under the legs for support before the sedative was put into her IV. The last thing she remembers was the anaesthetist appearing above head and saying “hey” and then she woke up after surgery to nurses calling her name and asking if she was okay.
She was sleepy and confused, and had no memory of being returned to her hospital room, or during recovery, but remembers everything from me greeting her in the room upon her return. Immediately after having surgery, Millie felt warmth on the bust for 3-4hrs from being cauterised to reduce bleeding for which she was given ice to cool her down. By the afternoon the sensation went away as she had a series of drips with antibiotics, fluids and pain relief.
Four hours after her surgery she first had a small sip of water to ensure that she could keep it down, before progressing to a recovery meal of blended soup and light, soft pasta. As she had successfully eaten, and her blood pressure returned to normal, she was then allowed to use the bathroom for which she walked into her en suite unassisted. It’s important to eat and drink before attempting to get out of bed, to reduce the risk of fainting and weakness.
After having her dinner in the evening, she was encouraged to get out of bed and go for short walks starting in her room and progressing out into the corridor. This helps to stimulate circulation and digestion after surgery and speeds up recovery. She was able to complete three short walks up and down the hospital corridor before bed time. And whilst she didn’t have much of an appetite to feel hunger, she still ate all of her meals in order to regain energy and assist her body in healing.
Millie being vegetarian, and me vegan, the chef was able to prepare a beautiful array of meals for us from salads and soups to pasta, grains, steamed vegetables, rice and sauced greens. Having nutritious meals after a surgery is so important to promote healing and it was lovely to see how health-conscious the menu was, as opposed to bland or sugary processed foods that are typical to UK hospitals.
Rather than sleeping for several hours across the majority of the day, as I usually would straight after having surgery, Millie experienced intermittent sleeping of shorts naps between periods of activity. Between these naps, nurses popping in and out of the room to empty her drains and administer drips, whilst checking her dressings and adjusting her in the bed to lay, sit and stand for circulation.
It was determined that Millie needed drains during her surgery, due to fluid retention and swelling, but rather than having them for a week, the surgeon advised that she would only need them for 48hrs to speed up her recovery. So much has happened in such a short space of time today, it feels like a whirlwind and so wonderful to know that everything went perfectly to plan. Millie’s surgeon came to check on her before bed time and examined her breasts by removing her bra to ensure that her blood supply, stitches and tissue were all healthy, giving her the all-clear to be left in the hands of the night nurses for overnight care.
Day 3: Recovering In Hospital
The morning after Millie’s surgery, as the effects of her anaesthetic wore off, she became aware of a compression sensation on the band of her bra around her chest, indicating the numbness in the skin was subsiding and is a positive sign of a natural part of the healing process.
She found that her legs and back ached a little by the afternoon from laying in bed for so long, and so getting up and walking short distances every hour alleviated the stiffness. It’s important to remain mobile and get out of bed for as long is comfortable, and so she alternated between laying down in bed, to being at an include, sitting in a chair and walking around the room and corridor between taking short naps.
She was able to independently pass a bowel movement this morning, less than 24hrs after her surgery which shows that her digestive system and bowels are working as they should, and is a necessity for being discharged from hospital. Her drains are still passing blood, although it is lessening in volume with the red blood looking more pale and yellow fluid mixed in from her swelling now.
Throughout the day her aches settled, and being more mobile made her more tired than yesterday, as even small steps take a lot of energy, but it’s very important to get up and about, and take it slowly. The nurses continued to check on Millie and administer drips between meals and movies. It’s been such a calm and relaxing day, like a lazy Sunday, and lovely that we could stay and sleep together in the same room so that she wasn’t alone.
Day 4: Returning To Our Hotel
This morning, after breakfast, Millie’s surgeon visited once again to examine her progress and give her the all-clear to have her IV and drains removed. This was a great opportunity for Millie to tell hi how she was feeling, report her level of pain or discomfort for adequate pain relief to be administered, and to receive her medication and walk through the process of taking each tablet once she returns to the hotel. She also has a silicone scar gel to apply to her incisions ten days after surgery for the next six months to minimise her scarring.
Her surgeon advised that she could sleep on her side two weeks after surgery, and her front at four weeks post-surgery which she was very happy about. For breast implants you must spend six weeks sleeping on your back, which is Millie’s least favourite position, and wonderful to hear that it won’t be long before she is moving and sleeping as normal.
She can also return to lifting heavy items, and go back to work and driving two weeks after her surgery. Her surgeon removed her drains by first cutting the small stitch from her skin which held them in place of either side of her chest. He them pulled the small tube from her skin, for which a few inches extended beneath the skin to extract fluid from the surgical site. She was over the moon to have her drains removed and no longer having to carry them to the toilet or be cautious not to knock or catch them.
The small holes where the drains were fitted were left open, rather than stitched closed, and covered with a gauze dressing for which they close naturally by themselves. Finally, a nurse cleaned and changed Millie’s dressings before she was able to have lunch, remove her surgical stockings and get dressed to return to the hotel.
She must now wait 48hrs before she can shower, but is able to rinse herself down at the sink. And when she does shower she must remove her bra and use warm, not hot or cold, water only. as her stitches are covered with a waterproof dressing, like think plaster strips, she simply pats them dry with a towel before putting her bra back on.
We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening in our hotel room resting and walking about, watching movies, eating healthy snacks and catching up with friends and family back home before we both nodded off to sleep at just 8pm! It seems that we’ve achieved so much in such a short space of time since we arrived, and the days are flying by so fast.
Hopefully as each day passes, Millie will increase her strength and stamina and we can consider heading out and about for some sight seeing and shopping soon.
Day 5: Resting, Gym & Swim
Today is our first full day at the hotel since Millie had her surgery, and we started the morning with breakfast before the driver collected us for a dental check and polish. Millie is thrilled with her new teeth and loves how natural and white they are, showing that cosmetic dentistry is such a wide spectrum between a Hollywood smile and a sympathetic, more pristine appearance for a healthy, natural smile.
After lunch we headed to the indoor hotel pool where I swam as Millie sat on a lounger reading a book. It was lovely to have a little time out of the room together, without the worry of venturing too far away if Millie should tired. It was a nice change of scenery that gave Millie confidence to consider going shopping tomorrow, as she goes from strength to strength, rating her comfort and movement levels at a 7.5/10, as she gradually relaxes, softens and becomes comfortable with sitting, walking, sleeping and moving about post-surgery.
When we returned to the room for a nap after swimming, I left Millie alone for the first time whilst I went to the hotel gym for an hour, knowing she could call me if she needed anything. She was completely independent and able to make herself a drink, use the bathroom and move around without feeling uncomfortable. The progress she has made in just a few days is astounding, and as we enjoy the hotel facilities, it is all but impossible to tell that she has had surgery as she is not stiff or slow.
Tonight is another movie night and face masks, which is so cosy and relaxing, giving Millie optimum rest for a busy day exploring tomorrow. We’ve discussed popping to cafes and restaurants for meals and breaks between walking about and shopping to ensure that she doesn’t overdo it.
With the Grand Bazaar being just a short Uber ride away, we can spend as little or as long as we like, taking our time sight seeing and selecting gifts for our loved ones back home. We’ll see how she feels and what she wants to do as and when we get there.
Day 6: Shopping, Snacks & Cats
As Sunday is a day of rest in Turkey, many of the shops, restaurants, cafes, stores and the Grand Bazaar are closed. For such a densely populated city, this was the ideal time to venture out for the day sight seeing, for a spot of shopping and lunch with Millie, whilst the streets were less crowded.
We had the most wonderful time meandering the pretty cobbled streets, stopping for Turkish tea and orange juice and browsing in pretty little boutiques and family run businesses. Everything is so bright, beautiful and colourful, with so much care and detail put into every display and presentation.
Looking through rugs and mats, ceramics, jewellery, perfumes, clothes and pastries, we had all of the time in the world today to shop for gifts for our friends and family back home waiting for us.
And as animal lovers, it’s absolutely adorable to meet so many cats and kittens wherever you go. I love how the locals have little cat houses in green spaces, bowls of food and water and constant treats left out for the local cats.
They are so affectionate, friendly and impossible to pass by without a tickle. With one cat falling asleep on Millie’s lap for 45mins in the sunshine, and another joining us for tea and coffee at a cafe.
Seeing how Millie would feel throughout the afternoon, we agreed to walk a little at a time before stopping for a drink, snack or to browse a gift shop, with our adventures leading us from the main high street down to the breathtaking Bosphorus river.
We spent just shy of 6hrs out of the hotel today, and could have easily spent another six more! So we’re hoping to return tomorrow when everything has opened in order to fill in the gaps of what we missed.
Millie is all but normal now, just four days after her surgery, she is moving fluidly, sitting comfortably and happy and able to sit in a car, navigate stairs and shop for hours in the beautiful Turkish sun. The weather was a glorious 25 degrees today with a combination of fluffy white clouds and blue skies with a gentle breeze.
I was cautious to ensure that she didn’t overheat or spend too long away from being able to rest to not feel week. But stopping for food and drinks after each couple of gift shops allowed her the perfect pace of rest and recovery along with exploration.
After dinner, we returned to the hotel where Millie had her first unattended shower and was also able to wash her own hair. I asked her if she felt worried about removing her surgery bra and being in the bathroom alone incase she had a funny turn, but she said her newly reduced breasts are so much lighter in weight and the scars so minimal that she doesn’t feel concerned or fragile at all.
She was over the moon to fully regain her independence, and loved having clean, fresh and fruity-shampooed hair. It’s the little things that make all of the difference when healing after surgery, and feeling fresh and strong is the best way to make progress. She ensured that all of her medical dressings were patted dry before changing the gauze on her nipples and removing the bandage over her drains to leave it open now that it has scabbed.
After walking a few miles today, across the afternoon, we’re now snuggled up in our pyjamas watching a TV series as I work on my laptop, ready for the most peaceful and cosy nights sleep. I can’t believe how quickly the time is going; it’s true what they say, time really does fly when you’re having fun!
Day 7: Final Check Up’s & Shopping
Today we had our final check-up’s in preparation for flying home to England, and after a delicious breakfast, we were picked up by the chauffeur and taken to the clinic.
Meeting with Millie’s surgeon, she had her breasts examined and cleaned, and he was very happy with her results and recovery so far. He reiterated the importance of staying clean, healthy and being active in small doses to not cause damage.
Neither sitting in bed all day, nor walking a marathon, just to be up and mobile each hour makes a world of difference when recovering from surgery. We were also able to see a photo taken of Millie’s breast tissue which was removed, with one piece weighing 600g and measuring 30cm across, and the other piece weighing 200g in order to balance her new breasts to an expected C-cup size.
It goes to show just how severe the asymmetry was, for which her surgeon was expecting around a 200g difference in size, rather than a 400g difference between the two breasts’ reduction. It’s lovely to hear how quickly Millie’s recovery will be from a natural reduction, as mine has always been 6 weeks, but hers is just 2 weeks in comparison.
She must wear her surgery bra for a month post-op before she can swap to a regular unwired or sports bra, and can sleep on her side after 2 weeks, and on her front after 4 weeks. She’s also able to drive after 2 weeks and every day that passes she is making such noticeable progress in moving smoothly, building her stamina and becoming more capable. It’s fantastic to see!
Whilst at the clinic, I then had my final dental check for which the stitches in my gum from my wisdom tooth extraction were removed. Seeing as it had closed over enough, I was able to have them out, but had it have been a slower healing process they would have remained in and dissolved of their own accord.
It’s reassuring to know that all stitches have been removed and can’t get trapped or have gum grow over them if there was a complication. It just goes to show how quickly the body heals and repairs itself, and I’m so happy to finally be wisdom-tooth free!
I was then given my night time retainers to fit my new bracket-free smile, as my daytime aligners have completed. And I’m still pinching myself over the novelty of being able to eat and drink whatever I want without having to remove them first to avoid staining. My mouth feels so free and empty, and I keep instinctively reaching into my bag to try to put them back on, but I don’t need to!
So now I will simply wear my night time retainers in bed and then remove them in the morning, in order to keep my teeth in their final position. It’s amazing to see our before and after pictures as a direct comparison of where we started and where we are now. We’ve both been completely transformed!
Millie was very keen to maintain a natural looking smile, despite her upper teeth being naturally rounded and off-white. Composite bonding is a fantastic treatment that is non-invasive and preserves the health of your natural teeth, and I think she looks absolutely fantastic!
If you hadn’t seen her teeth before treatment, I think you’ll fully believe that she’d always had her new white, square teeth. And it’s again such a pinch me moment to see her smile the way that she always should have. This dentistry was not just for personal preference of appearance, but a higher quality of life as she now have the ability to chew better with a wider surface area, preventing her rounded teeth from being ground down unevenly and making them even smaller with time.
It’s such a wonderful thing for everything to work precisely as it should, to rebuild lost surface, fill in gaps and create a healthy, uniformed smile. And seeing my own before and after pictures, it’s shocking to see how my lower teeth were falling over and titling inwards, reducing the space in my mouth. But now they stand upright, strong and proud and I can’t stop smiling.
I’m getting used to the sensation of not having brackets glued to my teeth to connect to my aligners, as well as the wire being removed from the back of my teeth. My mouth feels so spacious! And the two cracked front teeth that I’d ground in my sleep are now rebuilt with composite bonding to be back to their best again.
I’m over the moon with both of our results, as the dentists were able to give us each an individual and natural looking smile which we requested. Whilst some people love the Hollywood A-lister look of perfectly square, bright teeth, and others decide not to have whitening, the beauty of cosmetic dentistry is having the choose to do whatever is right for you.
And preference differs between each and every person, as it should! To see Millie receive the all-clear for her surgery and teeth, whilst still looking and feeling like herself is so heart-warming. She never wanted to look like a different person, or somebody she is not. She simply wanted to be free from pain from a heavy bust, able to wear a bra and have the ability to chew properly and Cosmedica have given her that so beautifully.
And so the timing is ideal to put our newly completed teeth to the test, by stopping off for another girly afternoon out, shopping, eating, drinking Turkish tea, cuddling cats and getting a new tattoo! We again took our time walking through the pretty cobbled streets, stopping in little stores and stalls along the way to look at fabrics, jewellery, lamps and ceramics, and it was the most lovely and relaxed, dreamy day in the sunshine together.
We managed to complete all of our gift-hunting for our loved ones back home, finding heartfelt souvenirs for everyone, as well as a few treats for ourselves, before popping into a tattoo studio to both add to our bodyart collections.
I chose to get the word “freedom” in Sanskrit on my lower tricep, whilst Millie chose a swallow in flight on her forearm. The tattooist was so lovely, and being a woman, it was the first female artist to tattoo me!
Millie loves the idea of collecting little pieces of art from wherever she travels, and has dreams to pick up meaningful pieces from around the world which I think is adorable. Following our tattoos, we were able to pop into the Grand Bazaar which started off quiet but quickly became packed after lunch, so if you’re looking for the best time to get about, I’d definitely recommend going in the morning.
With it being our last night, we spent the evening packing our cases, and carefully wrapping our gifts between clothing and shoes in our suitcases to stop them from breaking. I like to be prepared in advance so that nothing is left to change, or forgotten and left behind, so packing our bags the night before checking out meant that we could have our airport outfits ready, our cases zipped up to know that everything fits, and a peaceful morning leaving the hotel instead of running around like headless chickens.
With our herbal teas in bed, face masks and movies, we watched the sun set from our hotel room before falling asleep, well fed, well rested and content from the most joyful day girly shopping. I wish every day could be so magical and truly appreciate the mother and daughter time that we’ve shared during Millie’s recovery. It’s so very precious and wonderful to be able to fuss over her and spend undisrupted moments together, as when children grow into teenagers they become so independent and cool that hanging out with Mum isn’t as desirable as it used to be growing up.
To be away from her phone, out of the usual work-eat-sleep routine and having absolutely no responsibilities or time limits, we have been able to enjoy each day and moment spent together for what it truly is, a blessing.
Day 8: Returning Home To England
With our cases already packed, we only had to get up and showered this morning before heading down to breakfast and checking out of our room. The chauffeur came to collect us as 10am for our late-lunchtime flight, and it was such a bittersweet moment to be leaving.
On one hand we were excited to see our loved ones back home, catch up and get back to routine, but on the other, we have been having so much fun, loving the rest and relaxation and enjoying the last of the late summer sun. It actually started to spit with rain as we drove to the airport, which was the first turn of weather during our whole stay, as it’s been endless sunshine and blue skies since we got here.
And the with final leg of our journey underway, we simply had to walk to the gate to board the plane once we were dropped to the airport, as every aspect of our entire stay was so meticulously planned, orchestrated and delivered to clockwork.
We’ve been entirely stress-free, so well looked after, informed and welcomed throughout, and it feels like the whole medical team are more like family and friends to us now, rather than us being their clients. It’s wonderful to see the level of care, consideration and kindness put into all that they do, and we’ve been in the very best of hands throughout this whole process. I cannot recommend them more highly.
With our return flight being 4hrs back to the UK I was able to get so much work done in preparation for returning home, watch a movie, enjoy my dinner and take a little nap before landing. A relaxing and productive end to the most wonderful adventure together.
Considering Millie had her surgery almost a week ago, she was comfortable to sit on the plane for our return flight, walking through the airport unassisted and using stairs, lifts and escalators perfectly fine.
Eating in the airport lounge before our flight gave us a quiet and comfortable space to relax away from the crowds of a busy airport. And flying business meant that we sailed through security and check in in minutes, rather than spending hours stood queuing.
Whilst it’s not always possible to fly business on flights, it’s certainly worth considering seats with extra leg room, closer to the plane entrance, and airport lounge access to make the journey home more comfortable. If you time your surgery during the off-peak seasons, you can get some pretty great prices on flights. It’s just a case of shopping around.
Millie’s breast reduction surgery in the UK would have cost around £16,000, for which it was a fraction of that in Turkey, including her dentistry, flights, transfers and accommodation for the two of us, for a week. No wonder patients come from all over the world to access such highly skilled surgeons, exceptional aftercare and unrivalled results.
Rather than travelling abroad to have surgery being a deterrent for those in the UK who are looking for a highly skilled plastic surgeon, it should be the high standard of care that we expect in every corner of the earth instead of staying at home and making do with whatever is local to us. Turkey is lightyears ahead of the UK when it comes to surgery, which I highly recommend to all, as you can see for yourself.
One Month Into Recovery
How quickly these past few weeks have gone, as Millie is now at the one month recovery mark in her surgery journey. So much has happened, from us both having our birthdays and Millie turning 19yrs as I turned 39yrs, to her passing her driving test, removing her surgical dressings, sleeping on her side, changing out of her compression bra and having an eyebrow piercing! Wow…
It’s primarily been a few weeks of rest, relaxation and mother and daughter time which has been absolutely lovely. So start with, Millie was a little slower than usual, more cautious to not knock herself, and careful not to lift anything heavy or try to move things as she usually would.
Much like if you’re injured, unwell or tired, you’re more gentle in your movements and rest up, which Millie adores doing anyway. So we’ve enjoyed an autumn of cosy evenings, movie nights, cuddling the dogs, reading books and nature walks. A slow, calm and relaxing pace of life that anyone can benefit from, regardless of if they’ve had surgery.
When Millie returned to work two weeks ago, nobody could tell what surgery she had, as it’s incredibly discreet and doesn’t necessarily make you look any different. Her breast reduction has impacted her quality of life enormously, removing 800g of asymmetry and relieving the pain in her neck, back and shoulders, whilst allowing her to wear a bra that fits perfectly and supports her. But to others, she’s still Millie, and they’d never have known that her week away wasn’t for a nice holiday.
Removing the dressings at week three, the series of waterproof strips held Millie’s minimal incisions in place as she recovered, and carried a little dead skin, dried blood and dissolved stitches with them when they were peeled off after her shower. This allowed her incisions to be visible for the very first time and we were both in awe of how beautifully they have healed in just a few weeks, as it looks more like a small scratch than a surgery.
Removing her dressings also meant that she could begin using her silicone gel which helps with scar reduction and healing, which she applied each day until the tube runs out. And by week four she was able to take off her firm and restrictive surgery bra and move to a lower compression, medium support bra of her choosing.
As she is applying her gel each day, she choose to have a front opening bra with a zip rather than hooks, and had soft, unwired sports bras to use once she no longer needs daily access to her scars. She’s also able to sleep on her side now, rather than just her back, and looks and feels completely like normal again. In two weeks time, when she is six weeks post-op she can sleep on her front if she wishes.
I was also amazed when Millie sat her driving test, and they asked her to perform an emergency stop, that she drove so beautifully in her manual car and performed all manoeuvres promptly with grace and strength so soon after surgery. She was safe and cleared to do so, and passed her driving test with flying colours. It just goes to show what good food, plenty of rest and a positive attitude can do for your recovery and mindset after leaving hospital.
I’m so incredibly proud of how Millie has taken such a life-changing event of surgery completely in her stride, and it’s wonderful to see how much more confident, uplifted and glowing she now is. Once she reaches six weeks post-op, we will be training upper body together by lifting weights, in order to build up her back, neck and shoulder support. She’s excited to improve her posture now that she is no longer hunching over and leaning forwards from the sheer weight of her excessive chest. So watch this space, and get ready for her glow-up!
Remember to check back soon to see how we’re getting on!
