My Breast Reduction Surgery In Turkey With Dr. Salih Onur Basat

UPDATE: Dr. Salih Onur Basat has very kindly given me a 10% discount code, which you’re also welcome to use if you wish to have a surgery with him. Simply text “KISS10” to my surgeons medical team on +905330673879 to make an inquiry or booking.

Please note: I am a supporter of people having freedom of choice over their appearance with surgery. I celebrate the female form and am against body-shaming, criticism and judgement of all and any kind. Please cherish this life you have been given and live your life in whatever way makes you happy without intentionally attempting to hurt others.

At the ripe old age of 36yrs, after having my two children and becoming a professional plant-based bodybuilder, I’ve decided to have a breast reduction surgery which will take me to my 4th set of breast implants. Here I share my story, in my very own words, covering what has led me to having 825cc breast implants in the first place, and why the contributing factors concerning social media and mental health have helped me to make this decision.

Here I will share the highs and the lows, ups and downs and everything and anything between, in an open, honest and no hold’s barred surgical diary of my journey from having enormous breasts to returning to, well, normal…

The Media Reacts To My Surgery Announcement

To kick things off, let’s address the elephant in the room and discuss the media coverage and social media comments surrounding announcing my decision to have a breast reduction surgery. You may think “how is this even news?” and “why would anybody care about her?” but as I’ve been in the media since the age of 18yrs – when I was talent spotted to be a model – I’ve since participated in decades of TV, film, radio and print worldwide, facing a lifetime of judgement and criticism for my appearance with the worldwide media who often write about me. It seems that somebody always has something critical to say, no matter what I do, and now is no different. But at least here I can have my say and counteract close-minded narratives and half truths.

I’ve heard it all. Literally every insult in the book has been thrown at me as a woman. From being called ugly for not wearing makeup or making an effort, to being called desperate and attention seeking for looking glam on a night out or on a red carpet. When I wear loose or baggy clothes people accuse me of being fat and ashamed of my body as a mother, yet when I wear slim fitting clothes or show off my abs or cleavage they curse me for trying to impress people with my figure. Men either idolise me for my body, or insult me for seeking validation. Girls either compliment my appearance and ask for heartfelt health and fitness advice, or treat me like something that the cat dragged in and refuse to come anywhere near me. Yet I’m just me, and an entire spectrum of other peoples emotions and first impressions are continuously cast upon me wherever I go. Quite frankly, it’s exhausting and entirely unnecessary, but I recognise that it happens to everybody on earth on a daily basis, just not quite to the extent that it does for those who look different, or stand out as I do.

The reality of it is, I’ve never tried to impress or be better than anyone else. I truly wish that people can celebrate, accept and cherish what they have and be happy as individuals. Shockingly, my life doesn’t revolve around altering my image to become popular, loved or accepted by others – because, let’s face it, I’ve made a fair few choices about my life and appearance that most people strongly dislike and will never agree with! I rarely wear makeup anymore, have taken out my hair extensions, removed my lashes and nail extensions and spend the majority of my life in gym wear, working from home, raising my children and several pets whilst running multiple businesses out in the sticks where I thrive on peace, calm and privacy. Rather than going with the crowd, or becoming yet another Kim Kardashian lookalike, I’ve walked my own path, experimented with my style over the years and tried new things along the way, as well all do when growing up. The only difference being that I have several million people from across the world watching and commenting on my every move – and if you’ve ever read any comment sections online, you’ll know that there are a lot of hurt people in this world who are determined to just tear down, insult and hurt others anonymously from behind their phone screens.

I therefore don’t want my sharing of my surgery journey to be one of pity, sadness or bullying, but a message of hope, happiness, love and light for the freedom of choice that we all have no matter the age or stage of your life. It’s never too late to do something different; you certainly don’t have to look the same, or like the same things, forever and always because change and personal growth and development is always an option. You can undo past surgical decisions, move into a new stage of life and rewrite the narrative of how people judge you. Nothing lasts forever. Life is entirelt what you make it.

For those who daydream of one day having large breasts with the assistance of surgery, whilst I’m not looking to dissuade you as every experience is unique, having had extremely large breasts myself has caused me my fair share of headaches and heartache. From getting glared at in gym wear, being side-eyed on the school run, and even causing couples to have full blown arguments in front of me (when I’m innocently stood nearby in a queue or walking past and a partner’s jaw drops looking at my cleavage, even when I’m covered up), I’ve had enough of the negativity that I receive from others on a daily basis because of my over-ample cup size. I’d never have thought that having large breasts could bring such criticism, judgement and hate from other women in the way that I’ve experienced. Yet on the flip side of this I’ve also met so many strong, confident, beautiful and supportive women who have also had surgery, or are naturally more fuller busted, and get what it’s like to walk a mile in the same shoes.

I would therefore recommend that anybody who is considering having breast surgery, whether to increase or decrease their natural size, attempt to walk a mile in the desired outcome first in order to truly appreciate and understand the practicality of it. Rather than being oversized and out of proportion, as I am, instead determine what would be a naturally fuller size for yourself without negatively impacting on clothing options, posture and social interactions. I personally love large breasts, it’s simply my preference just as a woman having exceptionally long and thick hair with the addition of hair extensions rather than settling for their own natural shoulder length hair. But ultimately, there comes a time in ones life when the extremes that we have enjoyed in our youth start to mellow out a little, and a happy medium that thrives on sustainable balance can be more appropriate for us.

It’s also near on impossible to find lingerie and clothing to fit me appropriately. As I’m a dress size UK8, my ribs measure 32″ with my bust is 38″ so I’m forever squeezing into bras that are far too small for me and often dig into and cut my skin. Brands and stores simply don’t make clothing in my size, and why would they, I know that it’s abnormal! It’s also a headache having to wear either super stretchy clothing which can accommodate a small body and large bust (for which I’m called attention seeking) or super large and baggy clothes to fit my chest where I look and feel like a frump. So I’m really looking forward to being able to dress in my actual dress size again without being squished up or floating in excess fabric, just comfortable and fashionable like everybody else.

Announcing my breast reduction surgery on social media has naturally received such a mixed bag of results, as I was expecting. From the usual insults attacking my appearance, I’ve also had many people telling me not to go through with my downsizing, to stay as I am and celebrate my curves; whilst others have said that they would never want me to change but respect my decision and hope that I’m happy with it. And I am, because this is for me.

Seeing as I have a few areas of concern for my breasts, it feels like now is the right time for me to address these and make a positive step forward in my life. I’m no longer 21yrs old, gravity won’t always be on my side, and I’m thinking about preventing future muscle pain and loose skin as well as my day to day life and wellbeing when facing trolls. I would never change my body because of bullies and judgement, but instead seek to break down taboos and address social norms head on to use my voice and platform to bring about positive change. This collection of contributing factors as a whole have led me to decide that the time is now right for me to have a breast reduction. So now that we’ve addressed the mental health side of things, let’s take a look at the medical side of what has led me to making my decision.

Breast Implant Capsular Contracture

Breast encapsulation, also known as capsular contracture, is a complication that can occur after having breast implant surgery. It happens naturally when the body forms a thick capsule of scar tissue around the implant, which can harden and contract, causing the breast to feel firm and sometimes painful.

Scar tissue formation is a normal part of the healing process after having any surgery. However, in capsular contracture, the scar tissue becomes excessive and in time constricts the implant. This can cause a number of problems, including breast pain and tenderness, hardening of the breast, changes in the shape or size of the breast and rippling or wrinkling of the breast skin.

The exact cause of capsular contracture is unknown, but a number of factors may increase a persons risk, such as bleeding or infection after surgery, trauma to the breast, certain types of breast implants and having a history of capsular contracture. Treatment for capsular contracture typically involves surgery to remove the capsule and replace or remove the implant. I have a capsular contracture to my left breast implant which is something that I wish to address with surgery,

In some cases, there may be non-surgical options available, such as massage or medication. However, these treatments are not always effective and surgery is often the only way to permanently resolve the problem. Seeing as every breast surgery that I’ve had has led to capsular contraction in one breast, I accept that this is just the way that my body heals and can happily live with it without it causing me any trouble. However, it’s been a contributing factor to my decision to have surgery now.

My Surgery Expectations

As my 825cc breast implants are now 5yrs old, I was fully expecting gravity and my lifestyle to have an effect on my prior surgical results with time. Ageing, bodybuilding and gravity all play a part in the way that our skin and body structures behave – and the heavier the breasts, the lower they will eventually become.

Having breastfed my two children, who are now 16yrs and 12yrs old, my nipples have naturally changed from small and circular pre-pregnancy, to larger, more diagonal ovals with time and an increasing bust size. Training at the gym 7 days per week with cardio and weights, I’m always careful to suitably support the weight of my large breasts with a strong sports bra, as well as frequently training my neck, back, chest and shoulder muscles to avoid any unnecessary aches and strains from the added weight of my large breasts. Many women suffer from neck and shoulder pain from large breast and as a result opt for a reduction surgery with age to find relief from aches and pains. Whilst I’m very comfortable at the moment, I realise that I may not always be in a position to weight train everyday, and rather than allow my posture to deteriorate, I can address future concerns before they arise by reducing the weight of my breasts.

Fortunately, my fitness regime allows me to live very comfortably with my ample bust without affecting my posture or causing me any pain at the moment. Being a tall woman with muscles and curves, I feel that the size of my bust suits me fine and works well for balance and symmetry. But as my breasts have dropped an inch or two in height, my left breast has a capsular contracture and my nipples are more oval than round now, I hope to downsize my implants in order to create enough excess skin to be able to lift my breast height and reposition and resize my nipples at the same time.

Sagging breasts are a natural part of life, whether you’ve had surgery or not, and I certainly don’t think that there is anything wrong with this occurring. It’s simply a part of life! By itself, I wouldn’t necessarily have seen drooping breasts as a reason to change my breast implants anytime soon, as if anything, it makes my breasts appear more natural rather than fake. But as I have three areas of concern that I’d now like to address – the sagging, capsular contracture and nipple shape and size – together these factors makes sense to adjust them all at once with a single surgery.

Looking at this scale from 1-4, from that of a normal breast position at 1 to a sagging breast position at 4, I would estimate that I am at a 2, perhaps progressing towards a 3, for which having surgery at this time in my life is more of a preventative measure to minimise the risk of developing further stretch marks and greater dropping with age. My nipples are still at a nice position and haven’t turned downward, and my breasts are a pert round shape but could benefit from being slightly smaller and lighter in weight in order to retain their pertness for years to come.

I’ve previously changed my breast implants every several years, for maintenance, having gradually increased my size over the years to fill up loose skin and keep them soft and supple from capsular contracture which seems to be a regular occurrence for me that I’ve accepted and expect to happen. However, I also know many women, and models, who have had their breast implants for 15-20yrs and have only ever had the one surgery for which they’re very happy and have not wanted, nor needed to make cosmetic changes. Most repeat breast augmentations involve women choosing to adjust the shape, placement or size of their breasts as personal style and fashions change with time, not because they medically have to. But that’s entirely what freedom of choice over our body is about. If you want to change something about your body then you can, but you don’t have to, and should never do so to please anybody else.

My surgical expectations are entirely cosmetic, and appearance wise I’m not expecting to look strikingly different to the outside world after having surgery, as only my partner will ever see my bare breasts and any scars from surgery will be discreetly concealed within a bra or bikini as they are now. Rather than having enormous breasts that I can’t find suitable clothing to fit me, I’ll simply have large breasts that I can shop for in any high street store.

I’m looking to go from the 825cc implants that I have now, to around 700cc, dropping down in size to remove the capsular contracture so that both of my breasts are soft and round once more. This will provide access to the excess skin that can then be pinched together and removed from the bottom of my breast in order to create a breast uplift, whilst reshaping and repositioning my nipples to look more like they did before I had my two children and larger bust. I’m entirely open to my surgeons advice and recommendations about thus and have an open mind and confidence in following his expertise in this procedure.

It’s important not to nurture unrealistic expectations when it comes to surgery, as I known that I’ll never be able to have the same bust that I had at the age of 18yrs before having my babies. My skin is thinner now as I’m older, my breasts are larger and heavier, and I understand that my nipple position can’t be relocated a million miles away without experiencing excessive scarring. I’m looking to downsize and remove excess skin rather than increasing in size in order to fill up excess skin from ageing. Having a breast reduction and uplift is an entirely new way for me to look at breast augmentation, as it’s something that I haven’t previously experienced, yet is incredibly common for women after having children or losing breast firmness and tissue with age and is often referred to as a Mummy Makeover, combined with a tummy tuck or liposuction to the abdomen.

Mastopexy: Breast Uplift Surgery

Breast uplift surgery, also known as mastopexy, is a procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to improve the shape and position of the breasts, addressing sagging or drooping breasts which is often caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding, weight loss and ageing.

This surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, which means that you’re asleep throughout, as the surgeon makes incisions based on the chosen technique and the extent of correction needed. This surgery involves placing incisions around the areola – the darker area surrounding the nipple- vertically down to, and horizontally along the breast crease.

Following making these incisions, excess skin can then be removed from underneath the breasts, allowing the remaining skin to be pulled together to create a firmer, more lifted appearance. Breast tissue can also be reshaped to achieve a more conical form. The nipples and areolae can be repositioned to a higher location on the breast, as well as reducing the size of the areolae to better suit the new breast shape.

The incisions are then closed up with stitches, surgical tape or skin adhesives and drainage tubes are inserted temporarily to remove excess fluids. A supportive surgical bra is worn for several weeks post surgery and exercise can resume gradually after 6wks post-surgery when I can return to my gym and train upper body once more.

My Surgeon: Dr. Salih Onur Basat

My surgeon Dr. Salih Onur Basat specialises in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. Graduating from Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in 2005, he completed his medical specialisation at Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine “Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery” in 2011. This was followed by his public service as a specialist doctor between 2012 and 2014 in the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery at Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital where he continued to work in the public sector whilst conducted academic studies, leading to publications in many leading national and international journals and congresses.

In 2009, during his assistantship, he won first place in the “Clinical Branch Assistant Paper Competition” and contributed in national and international congresses. Salih Onur Basat has Turkish Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (TPRECD) and European Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS) accreditation and is an incredibly experienced surgeon who has reached a high number of cases in many aesthetic operations, particularly in body shaping, breast aesthetics and facial aesthetic operations.

His expertise and knowledge in cosmetic surgery is what led me to choose him as my surgeon, and despite living in England, with him being based in Turkey, I’ve been able to discuss my surgery aims, send photos and make all arrangements with his team so that I simply hop on a plane to Istanbul and they take care of everything else. I will have a face to face meeting with Dr. Basat the day of my arrival in Turkey, prior to my surgery to go over all aspects of the procedure and answer any questions that I may have.

I totally appreciate, much like eating at your favourite restaurant, that the world cannot always be convenient or come directly to you – sometimes you’re outside of the catchment area or delivery radius, so you either make do with whatever is local, or if you want something badly enough, and it’s worth the results, you will be prepared to travel to achieve it. I know that the surgeons local to me in the UK operate in an entirely different way to other countries; as some surgeons predominately repair damage and save lives in accident and emergency scenarios, whilst others are specialists and true artists in perfecting the cosmetic form. I would never go to an ear, nose and throat specialist to have a tummy tuck surgery, just as I would not entrust my breasts to a general surgeon who has performed a handful of surgeries as they work in all fields when a specialist has achieved thousands of flawless results in just one field.

For this reason, a private cosmetic surgeon in Turkey is always my first choice. Not only is the currency conversion more favourable against the pound, but the amenities, facilities and staffing expertise and availability is far superior to that in the UK where private hospitals are often old, in need of repair and medical staff are few and far between. Whilst I can have a week in Turkey with constant healthcare and meetings with my surgeon pre and post-op, in the UK I’d be sent home from hospital after 24hrs to fend for myself and may never see my surgeon again. As with everything, I recommend that you do your own research into potential surgeons, ask to see or even speak to their previous patients and their real results, make a list of as many questions as possible to ask (nothing is too silly or unimportant), and take your time to think through your decision to have surgery. Don’t rush, don’d agree to it on a whim, and don’t look to surgery to be the answer to your prayers to make you popular, beautiful or perfect. You must start by loving yourself and wanting the best for yourself before you decide to change or enhance what you naturally have.

I feel so happy, upbeat and positive about having my surgery and entirely at ease thanks to speaking with my surgeon and his team. They’ve been incredibly helpful, knowledgable and considerate throughout and have arranged everything to do with my stay in Turkey so that I simply hop onto a flight to relax, rest and recover, returning home to my family as a new woman one week later!

What To Pack For Surgery

With my flight now in bound, it’s time to pack for my surgery, and as I’m only going to Turkey for a week I’m taking hand luggage only. I’m travelling with my Mum, as you’re allowed to bring a +1 to accompany you, and it’s her birthday whilst we will be out there so we thought it would be a lovely way to celebrate the occasion together. I’ve travelled with my boyfriend in the past to have surgery, as well as alone, and it really makes no difference whether you take a +1 or not as the medical team take such great care of you throughout. After all, it is what they do!

After my surgery I won’t be able to lift anything heavy, so it’s helpful to take cases on wheels for ease of getting around at the airport; if you travel with someone then they’ll be able to help you to lift bags whenever necessary. When travelling alone after surgery, I always approach a member of staff at the airport with my surgeons note that states I’m fit to fly home, politely asking if they wouldn’t mind assisting me to lift my bag into the overhead locker etc. on the plane and assist me when boarding and they’re always so polite and accommodating. So many people travel to Turkey for cosmetic surgery nowadays, it’s so normal to see people on planes in bandages from hair transplants, with new teeth or walking slowly from having recently had surgery and returning home. The staff are totally accepting of it, expect it, and are always happy to help and accommodate you wherever possible, so never be afraid to ask for help or support.

Knowing that I’ll be restricted in my upper body movement after my surgery, I always ensure that I pack clothes that are super easy to step into and pull up, rather than having to pull on over the head. Stretchy skirts and summer dresses, vest tops and button up shirts work really well for accessing dressings and getting dressed and undressed with very minimal effort or energy.

It’s also beautifully warm and sunny in Turkey, which means that you can pack light without having to take tonnes of things with you. I therefore pack with my week ahead in mind:

-Day 1: Outbound flight – trainers, skirt/shirts or leggings and a vest top with a light zip/button up jacket because of the air con on the plane / to sit comfortably in the airport in the early hours when it’s chilly

-Day 2: Surgery. The hospital provide everything that you need for your overnight stay – a surgical gown, dressing gown, surgical stockings, slippers and support bra so I don’t take anything with me for my overnight stay besides my toothbrush and phone charger

-Day 3: For the first day at my hotel I usually stay in my pyjamas, either shorts / vest or soft trousers and a button up blouse. As the rooms all have air con, you don’t have to worry about being hot or cold throughout the year when you visit and can totally adjust the room temperature to suit the clothes that you’ve packed

-Day 4: Medical checks – Usually checks take place at the hospital, or nurses can come to the hotel to visit you. I step into a summer skirt and vest keeping my arms close to my sides and not pulling or lifting any weight when moving as surgical drains are attached

-Day 5: Sight seeing, shopping, cafes etc – shorts and a vest work great for this, as you usually still have medical drains intact up until your final day or so, so can pop them into a small handbag or shopping bag and access them easily when walking about your room or shops

-Day 6: Medical checks, more relaxing / sight seeing – A loose summer dress is another easy way to spend the day and can be pulled down to access dressings at medical appointments or when using the toilet in restaurants

-Day 7: Return Flight – Skirt / shorts and a vest and light zip up jacket. Just like flying out, light vests and leggings take up next to no space in a bag and you can pack a couple of different colours for variety, putting on more layers from your bag if you’re chilly upon landing back home

Last Minute Checks: Before My Departure

Prior to my departure, I always like to do a quick check over my bags, passport and boarding passes to ensure that everything is in place, zipped up and ready to go as soon as my taxi to the airport arrives.

As my flight is at 6am, my taxi is arriving at 3am to take me to the airport to allow 2hrs for check-in. I know that I’ll be sleepy at such an early hour, so I have everything in place the day before to wake up, shower and pull on my clothes so that I can get breakfast at the airport after check-in and relax with a good book in departures. I love being organised and on time, as leaving a little earlier, allowing yourself time to check the departures boards for information, find a toilet and get a seat in the waiting area takes all of the stress out of travelling – especially if you’re not familiar with new surroundings or crowded / loud spaces.

Travelling abroad for surgery doesn’t have to be daunting or scary at all, as it’s something that I look forward to as much as I would if I were having a summer family holiday. My only objective is to get on a plane and the surgical team will receive me upon touchdown in Istanbul, take me to my hotel, then onto to the hospital to meet my surgeon and give me any information and advice that I may need whilst I’m there. All food, drink, transport and medical care is included and I’ll be returned safely to the airport when it’s time for me to come home. No stress, no hassle and no responsibility for an entire week – I can’t wait!

Arriving In Istanbul The Day Before My Surgery

My mother and I touched down at IST Istanbul airport just after lunchtime where we were met in arrivals by the patient coordinator for my surgeon, and chauffeur driven directly to the hospital. It was such a relief to step off of the plane, and as soon as we cleared passport control, to be greeted by a cheerful member of staff who took our bags and cheerful welcomed us to Turkey.

The positive energy, kindness and consideration of the staff here far exceeds anything that I’ve ever seen in private health care in England, needless to say the NHS. Where doctors, nurses and surgeons burn the candle at both ends in the UK, work ridiculously long hours and have never ending waiting lists, much like a cattle market of sick and injured people, Turkey could not be further from the reality that we know.

My surgeon performs on average 1-2 surgeries a day, allowing him to give his full and undivided attention and expertise to each individual patient in order to achieve the vest best results possible. This also means that he will never exceed his daily working hours, has a wonderful balance between his work and home life and is always well rested, enthusiastic and able to take on every challenge without the hazard of tiredness and stress that frazzles UK medical staff.

Arriving at the hospital to the symphony of a piano playing, waterfall, art sculptures and bright sunlight pouring through the glass atrium, I felt like I’d walked into a Dubai shopping mall rather than a medical facility. It was so bright, modern, fresh, clean and spacious; again a far cry from the crowded and cluttered, often damaged and outdated waiting rooms and facilities in UK hospitals.

I didn’t have to wait more than just a few minutes for each of my pre-op checks to be complete, for which an extensive profile of my health was taken via full blood testing, and ECG monitor and radiology scan of my chest.

In the UK we only attend hospital when persistent symptoms, and early warning signs, are ignored and exhausted, evidently causing us to be sick, unwell or sadly terminal. Yet in Turkey, the aim is to spot any underlying health issues and address them immediately, rather than have them crop up as an unwanted surprise when time runs out and no treatment can help.

The reality is that many people wanting to have surgery may not be fit or able to, leading to complications in the operating theatre that may cost them their lives. To have such extensive testing prior to my surgery in a private state of the art hospital reassured me that I was fit and well to undergo my procedure.

Following my pre-op checks, we had coffee at the hospitals rooftop restaurant, and enjoyed the company of some local friendly cats which instantly reminded me of home and my 8 fur babies, I have 5 dogs, 2 cats and a rabbit who eagerly await my return to the UK for kisses and cuddles.

We then went to a local restaurant for dinner prior to attending our evening excursion. I was delighted to have a vegan Buddha Bowl packed to the brim with fresh and flavoursome veggies, crispy salad, pearl barley, falafel and hummus. As I lead a healthy active lifestyle, do not smoke or consume alcohol regularly, I feel in the best of health to approach my surgery and nurture a strong and speedy recovery. Nutrition is key to a healthy body and thriving immune system and the cleaner your life is the better your health will be.

We were asked if we’d like to do an excursion before or after having my surgery, and I opted for before, simply because I knew that I’d be the most mobile, energetic and enthusiastic in order to enjoy it. Naturally, we will do a whole host of things together whilst we are in Turkey, after I’ve had my surgery and feel well enough and able to. But being our first day, and with my pre-op checks completed so quickly, it seemed like the perfect time to take in the sights and sounds of the beautiful city for the evening.

We had the pleasure of sailing on a yacht along the Bosphorus river, a beautiful and historic body of water that connects two continents with three enormous bridges. The architecture of the houses that lined the waterfront was breathtaking, to see the city light up as the sunset is something that I will never forget.

Sipping my Turkish coffee, soaking in the magnificent sights and seeing the smile on my Mum’s face was the most magical, dreamy and beautiful memory that I will cherish forever. It was then that we truly appreciated our first ever “girls trip” away, as whenever I’d been away with my Mum as a child, we had also been with my father and brother, never alone.

To share our undivided attention and affection for one another is something so special, and absolutely priceless. There are not many moments in life when time stands completely still like this and you can just be. We often only see our loved ones for a significant duration of time reason – an emergency, birthday, wedding or funeral because life so cruelly gets in the way. But this trip away together is the perfect way to rest up, relax, unwind and soak up the culture of Turkey together.

As the sun set, I had the pleasure of driving the yacht and even wore the captains hat! I had to pinch myself that only yesterday I was cleaning off muddy children’s shoes and doing a food shop in a chaotic supermarket before finishing my chores to leave for the airport; yet here I am today sailing a yacht into the golden sunlight of paradise whilst being served coffee on a silver tray.

Moments like this in life are a wake up call for us to truly appreciate and seize every day that we are blessed to be alive. I couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear and wished the night would never end. As the moon came out and the stars twinkled, the chauffeur took us to our hotel where we checked in, just in time for bed ahead of my surgery in the morning.

As I will have a general anaesthetic for surgery, meaning I will be put to sleep, I must now fast (not have any food or liquids) for at least 8hrs. I was informed that my cut-off point for food and drink is midnight, with my surgery scheduled to take place at 10am tomorrow.

So now I’m nestled up in my beautiful hotel room, overlooking the Sea Of Mamara in my fluffy white robe and slippers as boats sail past and I enjoy my final night of sleeping soundly before I spend the next 6wks laying on my back in bed. Oh, how I plan to twist and turn all night!

The Day Of My Surgery

Having travelled to the airport so early in the morning in the UK, by the time that I got to bed at midnight -with far less sleep because of my 3am departure from home- I was fast asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow.

My phone alarm sounded as Mum merrily greeted me, already up, showered, dressed and ready for her hotel breakfast, bless her! So seeing as I couldn’t eat or drink, she went to the restaurant for her morning coffee and croissants whilst I had a shower and popped some overnight bits into a bag for my hospital stay. Mainly, a phone charger, change of clothes to come home in and some toiletries.

The surgeons driver collected us from the hotel lobby and we made the half-hour or so journey to the hospital where the process of checking me in took place with such precision and grace. Each pristine member of staff pleasantly greeted us in English, had prior access to my medical files, expected me and was ready for me. From signing my consent forms to providing my hospital attire and fitting my IV, it was a whirlwind of perfectly orchestrated events in a fine oiled system. I also received a red medical band on my wrist to indicate my allergy to Amoxicillin.

I hate to compare my surgery abroad to that of the UK, because it makes me feel as though I’m doing the amazing nurses and doctors of the NHS and private healthcare an injustice in picking fault in their service. But sadly, these two world are poles apart and Turkey wins hands down in every way possible. Every aspect of the medical service and treatment that I have received here, from start to finish, is beyond exceptional. Above my expectations, it leaves me speechless and unable to stop smiling. I feel truly heard, understood and well taken care of rather than just a number in a queue or inconvenience to an over worked and worn out medical professional who is desperate to sign out and get home.

We have so much to learn from Turkish private healthcare that the UK could benefit from. They have the right plans, excellent communication, the perfect execution and I’ve not seen a foot nor hair out of place in their immaculately groomed staff, expert medical professionals and pristine facilities. If only the rest of the world would follow suit, how very different healthcare could be for us all when sufficiently funded and well organised.

Fully prepped for my surgery, I then met with my surgeon Dr. Salih Onur Basat, where we discussed my surgical needs once again in the comfort of my private hospital suite which overlooked the manicured gardens. Having spoken to the medical team from my home in the UK, previously sending photos and conversing over my surgery in advance, it was lovely to finally be face to face with my surgeon for my physical examination.

Dr. Basat very kindly and patiently asked me about my surgery expectations, discussed my current and future cup size options and clarified the actions that he would take in the operating theatre shortly. Marking me up with a felt pen, he then traced my chest muscles and alignment, redrew my nipples in the correct size and position with a measuring apparatus and advised me that one of my breast implants had flipped and was in fact facing backwards which caused the firmer outline on one side, rather than me having a capsular contraction, which was a shock. He explained that large implants are at risk of flipping over and now reducing their size would minimise this risk.

To see his markings in advance allowed me to have a fully visual understanding of what to expect from my results, as I ultimately left my cup size up to Dr. Basat’s expert opinion. Wanting to downsize for my breast reduction surgery, I didn’t know quite what increments of silicone gel cc’s would look and feel like. Therefore, I explained to him my concerns about drooping, the heavy weight, the nipple shape and position, as well as the hardening to one breast.

Dr. Basat advised that 700cc would not be enough of a downsize from 825cc, which I have at present, and so 600cc would be more suitable for me. 600cc breast implants would take me to around a D cup in size, which is actually the first ever sized breast implants that I had at the age of 18yrs old – before my complications from PIP breast implants took hold. How poignant to return to where I first started.

Feeling reassured by this joint decision on my sizing, and accepting that my new breast implants could not go beneath my chest muscles -as they have always been over the muscle and tucking them under now would cause my skin to sit away from my breasts- I was given the all clear to have my sedation before being wheeled into the operating theatre.

Whilst in my hospital room with my surgeon and his medical team, a syringe was fed into my IV to sedate me. Within minutes I felt as if I were drunk and couldn’t stop merrily giggling as I was wheeled across the hospital to the operating theatre which was a bit of a blur. I vaguely remember the medical team asking me to step out of my hospital bed which had been wheeled into the operating theatre, in order to lay down on the operating table and place my arms onto rests beside me.

This time around, I do not remember having the anaesthetic itself, as it’s common to have memory loss when sedated and put under for surgery. I simply remember waking up in my hospital bed after surgery overjoyed and enthusiastic to see my Mum and the wonderful team. For anybody who hasn’t experienced a general anaesthetic before, the common practice is to insert a syringe into the IV on the hand or arm, inject a white liquid which feels cold as it travels up the arm, count backwards from ten to one and you drift blissfully to sleep before you stop counting. It isn’t a scary or unpleasant experience at all, and when sedated beforehand feels much like taking impromptu nap on the sofa on a cosy Sunday afternoon.

My surgery took 3hrs in total for a breast reduction and uplift, and I was allowed to eat my first meal around 5pm – approximately 4hrs after coming out of theatre. Being vegan, I was over the moon to receive such beautiful fresh and nutritious plant-based dishes from the hospital chef which I gloriously nibbled on for a few hours as I gradually regained my appetite and strength from fasting.

It’s normal to feel drowsy, sleepy and “not quite with it” after surgery, as this is due from the effects of the anaesthesia which I normally experience for the first 24hrs or so, however this cleared incredibly quickly for me this time and within a couple of hours I looked and felt as though I hadn’t even had surgery. This is the first time that I haven’t had surgical drains after a breast augmentation, as my surgeon said that I didn’t bleed or swell enough to need them, which means that I feel so comfortable and mobile without tubes and bottles being attached to me. Everybody remarked on how full of life and energy I was, and as a result of this I was encouraged to use the bathroom by myself and then walk around my hospital suite, progressing to the distance of the corridor to get my circulation going – something wonderful for post-op recovery.

Chatting merrily to my friends and family back home, I settled in for the night, with my IV connected to pain relief for which I received two doses overnight and two during the day. I was also given a sleeping tablet to help me to achieve a deep and restful sleep for my night spent in hospital.

My Mum had her own double bed in my room beside me, where she was welcomed to stay with me, with the option to return to the hotel if she wished. She wanted to stay to keep a watchful eye over me, but with the staff so attentive there was nothing that she needed to do but rest up herself, complete crosswords and watch movies as I slept.

My first day post-op felt like a dream. I felt so full of life and energy, filled with enthusiasm and ready and able to do every task asked of me; from going to the bathroom unattended, eating my meals and pacing the room and corridor for exercise.

I firmly believe in the importance of nurturing optimum health and nutrition in order to prepare for surgery and sustain a strong immune system. I attend the gym 7 days per week and am used to being incredibly active and eating well, but now I must take six weeks out of training to recover and allow my chest to heal. It’s so refreshing to see such healthy food served in a hospital – rather than reheated microwave carbs that are simply empty calories.

Feeling gently exercised, well fed and given a sleeping tablet and pain relief for bedtime, I’m ready to nestle into my sumptuous hospital bed and drift off. Small motions can feel huge after surgery and something as simple as sitting upright, standing or walking can really take it out of you.

Whilst it’s important to try to be active, you must also avoid pushing yourself too far or you will feel weak, dizzy and hot, putting yourself at risk of fainting or causing an injury. Little and often, softly softly, recovery happens.

1 Day After Surgery: Leaving Hospital

I woke up this morning and felt as though I’d been sleeping on clouds. My big fluffy pillows and adjustable hospital bed kept me at a 45 degree incline to reduce swelling and prevent me from rolling onto my sides. I must sleep on my back for the next six weeks now and last night was my first taster which passed by in the blink of an eye. Aren’t sleeping tablets and pain relief post-op wonderful!

Prior to leaving the hospital today, I first had to have my dressings changed by the nurse and my breasts checked by my surgeon to ensure that nothing had happened overnight and I was fully clean and sufficiently supported.

I slept with my breasts wrapped in bandages and padding overnight from my surgery, but this morning I had a surgical bra fitted after my dressings were changed, and I was finally able to see my new breasts for the very first time.

I think it’s only normal to be anxious or hesitant of taking off the bandages for fear that your breasts might drop off or hurt, but the excitement and joy that I felt made the moment such a triumphant unveiling that I didn’t stop smiling throughout.

The plasters covering my stitches were very carefully peeled away so that I could have the iodine left over from surgery wiped off and new disinfectant applied, before fresh dressings were put on, followed by my surgical bra. There is also a support band which fastens above my breasts and under my armpits which I must wear for 3wks, and I may shower 72hrs after surgery.

I was absolutely amazed to see my new nipples, perfectly sized and positioned, along with my new naturally shaped breasts, which have had body fat injected between them to soften and close the gap between my two breast implants. No more stuck-on doughnut looking implants!

I can’t believe how natural, in sync and classically understated my new breasts look. It’s as if they have always been there, suiting and fitting my frame to perfection, providing the appearance on an ample natural bust.

Dr. Basat issued me with my medical release forms at 8am, which state that I am safe to return home after my successful surgery in good health, and presented me with further details about my new breast implants. He gave me their original packaging for which they are Mentor 600cc Smooth Round High Profile Gel Breast Implant Cohesive. This packaging details their serial numbers as well as proof of use, providing me with a lifetime guarantee, so if anything should ever happen to them in future I may have them replaced free of charge. No more PIP or Allergen horrors from decades ago!

The medical team then talked me through my medication for which I have laxatives, pain relief, sleeping tablets and antibiotics. The only compulsory medication is my antibiotics which I must take twice per day for the next five days, and should I need assistance with pain relief, passing stools or sleeping then I have everything that I’ll need at my hotel.

Whilst I’m allowed to return to my hotel now, I will continue to return to the hospital -with the chauffeur collecting and dropping me between the two- for all medical checks and meetings with my surgeon. I also have the contact details for the medical team who will check on me throughout the day to make sure that I’m comfortable and feel well, and assist me with any requests or activities that I’d like to do whilst we’re here for the week.

Everything is so clearly laid out, straight forward, easy to understand and the team but a phone call away should I need them. I was so excited to have my surgical stockings taken off, a wash at the sink and my IV removed so that I could get dressed and look as human as I feel.

I still have to pinch myself, because I don’t look or feel as thought I’ve just had surgery, but my new breasts certainly say otherwise! I’m not in any pain at all, but feel a tingling sensation across my breasts much like pins and needles as sensation returns post-op. I can’t believe the change in shape and size, how much more comfortable and light they feel and the peace of mind that I now have from my lifetime guarantee.

The chauffeur collected me from the hospital just before lunch, 21hrs after my surgery, to drive us to the hotel fully equipped for my first night back to the real world. My Mum and I shared a lovely lunch and dinner on the hotel terrace, read books, chatted about life and snuggled up for a movie in bed in preparation for tomorrow.

The medical team asked if we had any plans for this week and I mentioned that I’d like to take Mum to the Grand Bazaar which I visited several years ago and loved. They promptly informed us that they’d send a car for us at 10:30am tomorrow to take us there and back so that we can enjoy a morning of shopping and sunshine and we’re so excited.

As of tomorrow I can wear the compression band over my clothing instead of directly on my skin, for which I presently have surgical gauze to prevent it from rubbing. I can also shower on day 3 and must dry my dressings with a hairdryer set on cool to ensure there is no moisture left on the skin. I’ll be wearing my surgery bra for the next 6wks now, when I can then return to the gym, starting with light weights and building it up gradually.

The swelling from surgery will reduce by around 5% once I am healed and I’ve been advised by my surgeon not to have repeated breast surgeries, because of scar tissue forming and the natural deterioration of skin thickness with age to sufficiently support my implants. I hope that I may now keep these implants for the rest of my life, happily without any need to make changes.

2 Days After Surgery: A Visit To The Grand Bazaar

I slept so incredibly well last night at the hotel and couldn’t wait to celebrate my second day post-op by taking a trip to the Grand Bazaar, as Mum had never been before and I enjoyed it so much when I visited last. Telling her tales of Aladdin, of twinkling archways filled with spices and gold, jewellery, tea, soaps, cotton, rugs, trinkets and gifts, it was lovely to see the surprise on her face when she first stepped inside.

The patient co-ordinators advised us to go early in the morning to avoid the busiest crowds, and to not overdo it by walking too far in the heat or getting knocked by rushing people. If I felt weak, in pain or uncomfortable I should stop to rest or return to the hotel to avoid doing myself any damage and must not carry shopping bags.

We had a tour guide and driver accompany us to the Grand Bazaar – which made the whole process far easier as we couldn’t get lost! I walked just behind my Mum and the tour guide in order to not get knocked by anyone, and even though I wasn’t in pain this morning, I took a pain killer in advance incase I felt jolted in the car or weak from walking about. Whether I needed it or not, I really don’t know, as I was comfortable all day and didn’t feel any symptoms or signs of having just had surgery at all.

I was expecting to need to sit down, to feel tired, too hot, unsteady on my feet at some point – the typical warning signs when you do too much and know that you should stop to rest – but instead I have been energetic and in great health all day. I feel as though I’m back to my normal self again, so soon after surgery.

As I needed the toilet, we stopped for refreshments whilst shopping and I enjoyed a cold freshly squeezed orange juice. My body always craves vitamin C when I train hard at the gym, am injured or feel unwell. And when our tour guide asked if we were ok to continue, I knew that I felt fine and it wasn’t too much.

Depending on how fit and active you are in your day to day life, your body knows what it is capable of after having surgery. Should you wish to stay in your hotel room watching movies for an entire week then you can. You may wish to read a book by the pool, go local cafe hopping, shopping or sight seeing; as long as you are safe and well then coming abroad for surgery is such a wonderful experience that can be as active or restful as you wish to make it – just like any holiday!

My Mum enjoyed learning all about the quality grades of saffron at the Grand Bazaar today, before stocking up on it to return home, and I treated myself to some pretty lace lingerie for when I have healed from surgery.

The Istanbul University is situated just besides the Grand Bazaar which is filled with hundreds, if not thousands, of small businesses selling gifts and finery. Side streets and major international stores lead off of it, similar to Oxford Street in London, England and you can easily spend an entire day wandering around having never seen it all. There are cute little cafes and restaurants nestled between gift shops, stalls selling freshly grilled sweetcorn and snacks and adorable friendly cats everywhere who love a good fuss and stroke.

By the evening I realised that the pain killer that I took for prevention this morning must have worn off, as it had been more than ten hours, and yet I felt just as comfortable, energetic and happy, which indicates to me that I don’t need to take my painkillers anymore and so I’ll come off of them.

We finished today with dinner overlooking the sea, watching the birds fly down to the water, listening to music, eating delicious fresh food and enjoying the endless blue skies and sunshine. Such a relaxing end to a fulfilling day of tourism.

Now back at the hotel, I am snuggled up in my pyjamas, ready to watch a movie after I’ve dipped into my book and had a cup of green tea or two. I don’t feel tired, unwell or in any pain or discomfort, which I was entirely expecting to after being mobile today. Instead it feels like any other day at home, aside from the fact that I have absolutely no responsibility or chores to do as a mother of course.

So instead of my daily routine of going to the gym, working and tending to my children and home, I shall put my feet up, enjoy the peace and quiet and watch the stunning sun set from bedroom window. I could get used to this!

3 Days After Surgery: The Beach And Check Up With My Surgeon

This morning after breakfast, Mum and I took a relaxing walk down to the beach which is such a stunning view from our hotel room window that we’ve been dying to get down to explore. As I have a check-up with my surgeon at 13:30 today, it means that we have the morning free to be able to relax, unwind and explore the local area.

The hotel staff kindly informed us that the access to the beach is just on the corner of the street that we are located on, perhaps a 5 mins walk from the hotel reception. So we took advantage of such a quiet, calm and sunny morning by going for a nice walk down to the water front and had such a lovely time as the day began.

Fuelled with juicy fresh tomatoes, cucumber, melon, bread and apple juice for breakfast, I love how easy it is to eat clean and healthy in Turkey. Back home in England I walk for hours upon hours each day, through the beautiful countryside, up hills and inclines, because I love nature and wildlife so much.

To get out and about makes me feel so grounded, at peace and in touch with nature once again amidst the noise and chaos of modern life. It’s lovely to rest in the hotel, by the pool or spa, but sometimes you just want to wiggle your toes in the sand and take a deep breath as you listen to the rhythmic sound of the water lapping at the shore.

At the beach there are families having picnics, people riding bikes, walking dogs and friendly cats climbing in and out of the rocks that line the waters edge, or sleeping beneath park benches to shelter from the sun. It’s a wonderful hub of holiday makers, the elderly and young families alike appreciating nature.

Today I washed my hair for the first time since surgery, put on some makeup and felt a little more preened, rather than being a surgical patient. I spend the majority of my time in my pyjamas without makeup or brushing my hair at the hotel resting, so it’s nice to slip on some sandals and wear a little lipgloss to feel upbeat and motivated as you would naturally on holiday.

Meeting with my surgeon Dr. Basat at the hospital today, I first had my dressings removed, cleansed and then my breasts examined before new dressings were applied. My breasts are a little swollen from surgery still and will shift in shape and firmness as I continue heal, as well as my nipples rising upwards – it all sounds such fun!

My stitches have remained perfectly in place, my new nipples are beautifully shaped and defined and my breasts meet smoothly in the middle of my chest rather than looking like divorced giant doughnuts. I’ve been given additional antibiotic tablets, cream, pain relief and dressings should I need them, and will continue to keep in touch with the medical team for the final three days of my stay, reporting any chances, questions or concerns.

I will see Dr. Basat in three days time, before my departure home, for my final dressings change and examination. From then I can remove the dressings 3wks after my surgery by peeling them off in the shower. I must wear the compression band for 3wks also and can return to the gym, lifting light weights and gradually building it up at 6wks post-op. How fast the time is passing already!

4 Days After Surgery: Visiting Aqua Florya Shopping Center And A Movie Marathon

Today we took a trip to a local shopping centre just a few miles away from our hotel, Aqua Florya, which is filled with international designer stores. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of the Grand Bazaar, the shopping centre spans multiple floors in a sleek marble and glass design, with a generous food court overlooking the sea.

I think it’s nice to experience all aspects of a culture, from traditional and handmade items to luxury and finery in order to truly appreciate what a city has to offer. There were so many beautiful dresses, suits, perfume and jewellery, with many discounts and savings to be made from favourable currency conversion.

We enjoyed walking through the air-conditioned stores, stopping for coffee and fresh orange juice as we went, whiling away a handful of hours before returning to the hotel. Whether you purposely come to Turkey with space in your case for shopping, or treat yourself or loved ones to gifts, you can find everything that you need under one roof here.

A beautiful light installation of glass fish hangs in the main atrium which twinkles in the sun and creates such a stunning welcome to the shopping centre. There is also a grand aquarium located directly besides the shopping centre, which many people have recommended that I visit whilst I’m here as it’s a popular tourist attraction. As I’m vegan, zoos and aquariums are not something that I personally support, but I do not judge others for doing so.

Stopping en route to our hotel for some refreshments after we left the shopping centre, we came across some adorable cats and kittens looking for food. We always carry a handful of kitten biscuits with us each time that we leave the hotel in order to feed any hungry tummies that we pass and met the most adorable black kitten, for which an elderly lady on a balcony informed us was just a few weeks old and had no mother.

Returning to the hotel, we had a very lazy and relaxing afternoon, sitting in the cool shade by the pool to enjoy a spot of reading before sunset, followed by a movie marathon on Netflix and cups of green tea. I wanted to share my sleeping technique, as this has really helped me to sleep safely since surgery, imitating the support of a hospital bed whether you are in a hotel or back home.

I sleep with three bed pillows along with a flight pillow to prevent me from trying to naturally toss or turn whilst I’m sleeping. This keeps me at an incline to reduce swelling from surgery, whilst my hotel dressing gown helps to maintain an ideal temperature in the air conditioned room without getting chilly. I find wearing a sleep mask also helps to block out any light or distractions, much like black out curtains, and helps me to go to sleep and stay asleep for as long as possible.

5 Days After Surgery: My Mum’s Birthday Celebrations

After falling asleep around 9pm last night whilst watching movies, we wanted to wake up early today to be able to catch the sunrise at the beach from our hotel view. We set an alarm for 5am with sunrise at 6am, debating whether to walk down to the beach or pull up a seat at the hotel window with a cup of tea in our dressing gowns.

As it with pitch black, we decided to remain indoors for safety, incase we were to fall over or need assistance and there would be nobody around to contact. During the day there are families and dog walkers filling the beach, but so early in the morning it was silent and almost abandoned, with a handful of people appearing just as the sun was rising.

Watching the sun rise from such a spectacular view point at our hotel was a wonderful way to start Mums birthday celebrations, which we followed with a delicious vegan and vegetarian friendly breakfast before heading out to lunch with the lovely patient co-ordinators who have taken such great care of us both during our stay.

Whether you choose to come to Turkey alone, or with a plus one, the experience is wonderful. My surgeon has been amazing, my recovery so easy and our short trips out and about such a dream. To have everything arranged for us, all transport and medical appointments included, and a wealth of knowledge and experience at your fingertips from asking the English speaking staff, you can be sure to make your stay as quiet or cultural as you’d personally like it to be.

I was so excited to receive pictures today from the surgical team of my breast surgery from the operating theatre table. Whether this is something that is common place, or only if you request it, I’m so pleased to be able to share all of the processes involved in having an uplift and reduction surgery, as the procedure itself is so clever.

With such heavy, large and round breast implants beforehand, as well as a naturally asymmetrical chest to contend with, my breasts implants have always sat so far apart. My surgeons markings for the uplift meant that my breasts now begin in the middle of my chest, bringing them together to form such a natural clevage that has totally transformed my shape and appearance.

Following my surgery my breasts are red, swollen and bruised – perhaps also a little pink from the beautiful sun – which will continue to reduce over the coming days and weeks. If you’re squeamish you never need to see or touch your breasts until you return home, but if like me you’re an inquisitive soul, then it’s fascinating to see the healing process.

Being my first breast surgery without having surgical drains, I don’t feel exceptionally swollen or in any pain or discomfort from not having drains. In fact, I’m over the moon at having the freedom to not be attached to fluid bottles during my recovery. My hands were slightly swollen after surgery, as I couldn’t get my rings back on until today, so I know that my body is naturally reducing in swelling.

My breasts will not only return to a normal skin colour, but will also change height and shape as they soften in density, the chest muscles relax from surgery and my nipples rise upwards. So various stages of healing still await me over the following six weeks, which I’m really excited about in order to achieve my final results.

Already my breasts look and feel so natural, creating a gentle sloped feminine shape to my chest rather than a stuck-on, fake and doughnut-esque appearance. Whilst it may look tender in the pictures, my breasts are perfectly comfortable and I have had no pain. The nurses apply iodine over my stitches which is a surgical disinfectant to keep them sterile and promote optimal healing, and is a yellow/orange/brown shade of liquid that colours my skin but washes off easily.

This afternoon we went to a beautiful vegan restaurant which was recommended by the surgical team and had the most delicious plant-based meal and birthday cake with candles for Mum. It’s so helpful having the team know the local area, be able to make personal recommendations and kindly assist me in making my Mum’s birthday so memorable whilst we are abroad.

We couldn’t have wished for a more wonderful final full-day in Turkey. We are so relax, rested and filled with nutritious food to assist my recovery. Fully packed, we’re ready to head home tomorrow afternoon ,after my third and final appointment with my surgeon in the morning, before we return to the airport to fly home to friends and family.

My Surgery Goes Viral In The UK And USA Media

I’ve had many people approach me in Turkey whilst I’m out and about, cheerfully telling me that they’ve seen me in the news and on social media having my surgery here, and asking to take a picture with me which is so very sweet.

Whilst it seems such a natural progression to me, to downsize and look more natural rather than glamourous at this stage of my life, I understand that it may be shocking and unexpected to others. The saying “if it’s not broken, why fix it?” seems to spring up a lot; but not many people realise or even live with the experience of an abnormally full and heavy bust as I had for almost half of a decade.

Whilst training at the gym, I am fortunate to have very good health and strong neck, chest and back muscles to support my heavy breast implants, but in future as I age, I know this may not always be possible and as such I could develop pain and premature posture abnormalities. Not to mention the inconvenience of clothes and lingerie never fitting me properly, and the unwanted attention from strangers in the street, online and every part of my day which I could never escape no matter how I dressed.

Breast reductions are something that we as a society really need to discuss more openly and honestly, making them readily available to those who want and/or need them, regardless of if your bust is natural or enhanced. We all deserve the freedom of choice and informed consent.

Something that I’d also like to change is the way that Turkey is treated when it comes to British media discussing surgery abroad – they have it so wrong and make such critical and cruel judgements in favour of praising our homeland medical service which is, in comparison, severely flawed. We can’t “keep calm and carry on” and pretend that nothing is wrong with our NHS waiting lists and private healthcare standards in the UK when patients lay dying in over-crowded hospital corridors because wards are over filled and staff have been on shift for 48hrs without sleep, ultimately making simple, life-threatening mistakes which should have been avoided.

All the while I lay in a private hospital suite in Turkey with one of the worlds finest surgeons Dr. Salih Onur Basat, being tended to around the clock by multiple, highly-skilled, efficient and incredibly kind and caring medical staff to fulfil my every need. To paint the picture that our favourable currency exchange from GBP to Turkish Lira (which makes breast surgery in Turkey cost between £3,800-£5,000 depending on the breast implant size and requirements, and inclusive of a one week stay as well as multiple meetings with your surgeon) rather than the £8,000 average cost in the UK does not reflect the quality of care and expertise involved. In England you are typically sent home 24hrs after surgery never to speak to or see your surgeon again, which I think is preposterous.

I instead challenge that the UK is in fact a meat-market in comparison to Turkey when it comes to surgery, with general surgeons -not specialist plastic surgeons- performing all kinds of surgeries around the clock day and night on a conveyor belt of bodies that are merely numbers on a waiting list that spans years at a time. Where is the personal touch? Where is the specific expertise? And why is there no immediate specialist aftercare in the UK? Prevention of infection after surgery is so very important.

I feel far safer and happier seeking a specialist for my surgery, recovering in paradise for a week away from all work and childcare back home, in order to properly rest up and heal. Seeing my surgeon multiple times throughout my stay in Turkey, I am able to discuss and examine my results face to face which has given me such peace of mind, as I can ask questions that are answered immediately, and not via a letter in the post from a surgeons secretary six weeks later.

Just as we cannot judge a Michelin Star restaurant in the same category as a McDonald’s fast food chain, we must stop judging an entire country (Turkey) based on the poor practice of a handful of individuals that share horror stories from poor practice or lack of experience. Having surgery in a specific location, postcode or country does not guarantee safety nor success, it is your surgeons expertise as well as your ability to follow the aftercare and recovery instructions successfully that matter most. As somebody who has had multiple private surgeries on Harley Street in London, across the UK as well as abroad, I have the direct personal experience as a patient to conclude that currency and location for surgery is entirely irrelevant – there is good and bad wherever you will go in the world. It’s about doing your research into the best surgeon possible for your individual needs and receiving the best aftercare, information and advice for a successful recovery.

I would follow my surgeon Dr. Salih Onur Basat to the ends of the earth to have my surgery with him, because I know that his work is absolutely astounding, and because of this I have achieved the most incredibly natural results as well as having a wonderful trip away in pure luxury as I recover from surgery. I cannot speak for all other surgeons that I haven’t used, just as I cannot guarantee safe surgery in the UK; but I can stand up and defend the good name of those who go above and beyond in healthcare, and are so disgustingly written off as not being up to standard when it comes to UK regulations. I assure you, the medical standards I have received here in Turkey have far exceeded that of what I have received in the UK, both in the NHS and private healthcare, which quite frankly puts us to shame. We need to invest substantially in our healthcare service at home in order to ever hope to come close to that of private Turkish healthcare and plastic surgery from the worlds finest surgeons.

6 Days After Surgery: Check Up With My Surgeon And Returning To The UK

Today has been such a whirlwind that seems to have come around in the blink of an eye. How on earth have I been in Turkey for a whole week already? I don’t know if it feels like everything has happened so quickly at once, or that it’s been so relaxing that nothing has even happened at all. But all of a sudden I’ve had this top of the mountain moment, where I look back at how far I’ve come over the past seven days, and I’m genuinely astounded at this beautiful and cathartic journey.

From start to finish it has felt so effortlessly calm, positive and uplifting. My faith and trust in the medical team allowed me to truly relax and embrace this experience, knowing that experts have taken every precaution and step to keep me safe and achieve the very best results. And that in itself is why I travel abroad for surgery – because perfectionism isn’t local or common, it’s worth the wait and journey.

So naturally, I started my final day in Turkey by feeding the cats and having coffee on the beach after a delicious hotel breakfast, just as the day was beginning and the world was waking up. To feel such a sense of tranquility, peace and calm at the lapping of the waves and tending to the cats really grounds me, takes me away from the hustle and bustle of life and allows time to stand still for a moment and just breathe.

Being Buddhist I crave nature and genuine souls, that heartfelt connection and sense of security, in meeting people on the same level, sharing the same vibrations trust and respect which I found here in my surgeon Dr. Basat and his amazing team. Not once have I questioned my decision to have a breast reduction surgery and uplift with him. I knew from the moment that my heart and soul responded so organically to this journey that it was absolutely right for me, and because of that I’ve had no fear or concerns. You have to make important life decisions with every fibre of your being, to feel it from within and move in the right direction. This to me has felt like I’m coming home, back to me.

This was my final dressings change, for which I was asked to sit upright as well as lay flat with my dressings removed, cleaned and replaced, as Dr. Basat examined my stitches, breasts, shape, swelling and positioning six days after surgery.

He reiterated that the outer sides of my breasts appear rounded, but these will soften and fall into a more natural teardrop shape as my body heals, my muscles relax and the swelling reduces. In order to close the large gap that I’ve had my whole life in the middle of my chest he took the incisions for my uplift closer to my sternum, as well as adding fat to the inner edges of my breasts to create a smooth and natural shape.

I can’t say that I’ve ever enjoyed having plasters taken off of my skin, especially after an injury which is still tender or sensitive, and I’d mentally prepared myself to keep calm and carry on as the nurse changed my dressings once more. But today the process felt so much easier than ever before; whether it’s because I’d been through it a few times already now, so it wasn’t new to me, or that my healing is advancing and the stitches sites are so much stronger, but it felt like a breeze.

People ask me if my breasts and nipples are numb, as I’ve experienced numbness after past surgeries which can last for several months, or severely reduce sensation for the entirety of that implants life. I can feel all of my breasts and nipples after my surgery, every touch and sensation and am aware of my healing as I have gentle electrical tingles that travel across my breasts and nipples throughout the day. Much like a shiver when you’re cold, but not as physical in movement, it feels like a tiny tickle, flutter or breeze passing over the skin. And that’s the only thing that reminds me I’ve recently had surgery, as other than that I feel like my everyday self.

I also received an additional support bra which allows me to pop one into the wash whilst wearing the other. It’s exactly the same as the one that the nurse put onto me the day of my surgery and is so wonderfully supportive, along with the elasticated chest band that velcro’s over the top to prevent my breasts from bouncing when I walk or am in a car.

To say that I am happy with the results of my surgery is the understatement of a lifetime. I’m over the moon with how gentle, feminine and natural they look. Each breast has been reduced by 225cc, which is the equivalent of having an A-C cup removed from my chest, and there is no loose skin, sagging, rippling or separating of the breasts. They meet so softy in the middle of my chest, and to me, look and feel like precisely what I’d have wished for naturally if my own breasts hadn’t had a deformity in size, shape and height.

I must wear my support bra and band for 6wks now, and 3wks after surgery can apply a small amount of Dermatix gel to my scars twice a day to promote healing. I can also have micro-pigmentation to my scars one year after surgery in order to colour correct the skin if necessary, which many women who have breast uplifts use to hide scarring.

So soon after surgery I hardly notice the incision lines, they are so neat, tidy and minimal, and I’m excited to see how they heal and look naturally before I decide if I wish to have micro-pigmentation or laser therapy to reduce them once they have healed.

After my final check up with Dr. Basat I was able to thank him for his work, as well as the medical team at the hospital, sharing hug, kisses and a fond farewell as the driver took us onto the airport to return to England. Istanbul airport opened in 2020 and has won the worlds best airport award, which is easy to see why!

It’s enormous and luxurious, filled with designer stores, marble and gold, food courts, trinkets and gifts from this beautiful country and its heritage. Travelling through the airport we used a trolley for our bags, as I couldn’t lift anything, and the air stewardesses assisted in-flight to stow the cabin bags above us. The staff were so friendly, polite and English speaking, making our return home to the UK after surgery so simple and convenient.

And now my bed calls, I’m excited to collect my children tomorrow from relatives, unpack my bags, catch up on work and enjoy the rest of my life without such enormous and unnecessary breasts. I hope that we can embrace femininity in whatever shape or form that lovingly looks to you. That past fashions, styles and desires can be seen as outdated and unnecessary, and it’s ok to change, to grow throughout life, move forward and away from the things that no longer serve you.

Having such oversized breasts were a stage of my life that I enjoyed at the time, when I was younger, but today I realise the true value of appreciating your most authentic individuality. Regardless of your size, I hope that you can find peace in who you are and how you look. Our bodies are simple the vessel for our heart and soul, and it’s all that is beneath the surface that is truly special. I hope that I am no longer thought of as “the one with the large breasts” because there is so much more to me, and my breast reduction echos this sentiment so beautifully, words cannot do it justice.

1 Week After Surgery: Everyday Life Resumes

After arriving home late last night, I woke up in my own bed this morning at 5am due to adjusting to the time difference. It feels like a dream to be at home, open my eyes and see my new breasts as I look down – I’m so so happy!

So I got up, took a shower, tended to my pets, unpacked my bags and put a wash on to clean my clothes. Everything feels so normal and yet equally I feel reborn. I slept with my flight pillow at an incline, just as I did in my hotel, and other than that, life goes on. There are a few adjustments that I’ve made, mostly lowering cups, my toothbrush, carrying one thing at a time etc. to ensure that I don’t stretch or strain myself after surgery, but it’s a pretty straightforward transition into everyday life.

I took my time in the shower and bowed my head to wash my hair to minimise lifting my arms. Dried my dressings thoroughly before putting my surgery bra and support band on, and as I work from home and write, my day isn’t strenuous anyway. The only difference being that I won’t go to the gym everyday, for which I’m eagerly looking forward to my return.

I no longer take any pain killers, all swelling has gone from my hands, and I’m not uncomfortable or tired from the flight or taxi journey home. I’m filled with energy and enthusiasm as always, and being mindful not to overdo it at this important stage of my recovery. If you’re an independent person and live alone, you can entirely adjust to routine one week after surgery without medical assistance or friends, family or a partner helping. But if you’re new to surgery, feel unsure or prefer to rest in bed then it may be helpful to book two weeks off of work and have somebody stay with you.

Being a mother, motivator and business owner that is perhaps a little ADHD/OCD, I take it in my stride, approach it as mind over matter, and have slipped back into my responsibilities and workload almost seamlessly – I of course enjoyed rearranging my coffee supplies and toiletries to be at waist height and instantly accessible. Like everything in life, if we approach it with self-belief, positivity and a can-do attitude, it instantly becomes easier and far less troubling to achieve. Rather than seeing yourself as a weak or vulnerable patient, focus on the beauty of healing and growing stronger every day. It’s all a matter of perspective, but please never put yourself in danger or at risk of undoing your results. Listen to your body, know your limits and please ask for help if you need it.

I will continue to check-in with the medical team now that I’m back home, send photo updates of my recovery to my surgeon and can have any questions or concerns answers at the drop of a text. I’m seeing my Mum this afternoon, after spending the week together, as she’s popping over to drive me to the shops to do a weekly food shop and restock the fridge, before I return to driving two-weeks post-surgery. We had such a lovely time together in Turkey that she’s already asking when we’re booking our next holiday, as for her it was such a lovely experience to see the culture and go sight seeing in such a beautiful country, I had to remind her that I’m recovering from surgery first before I seek a destination with access to a pool, gym and perhaps a couple of nearby beaches and mountains to climb!

11 Days After Surgery

As I approach the two-week mark of my recovery, where I will be a third of the way through my six-weeks of healing, I thought that now would be a great time to do a before and after comparison to truly appreciate the difference in attaining a more naturally-full bust with breast reduction surgery. So here goes..!

I love the soft and natural slope from the top of my chest down to my breast, creating a natural teardrop shape to the breast, as opposed to a round implant that sits away from my chest wall. My breasts are much closer together now when standing, as well as laying down, and no longer have any loose skin, sagging or rippling around the implants, making their overall appearance far more natural and feminine.

There is just a very small amount of yellow bruising left around my nipples and stitches, indicating that I am in the final stages of healing, which I expect to clear up over the next several days. I love how my breasts now sit, and start from my body, without hanging down and leaving a gap beneath them anymore.

As I was allowed to bring my old 825cc breast implants home with me, curiosity got the better of me and I couldn’t help but weight them. I was shocked to see that they’re 1.67kg, as I feel so much lighter, tighter and pert with my new implants, taking my appearance from oversized and outrageous to naturally fuller busted and pert.

2 Weeks After Surgery

Whoop for day 14 post-surgery – I’m so excited to be able to drive again and take the children out and about for days out during their summer holidays. We’ve had a heatwave in the UK, with the temperature yesterday sizzling at 33 degrees, which has left most people sweaty and uncomfortable to say the least.

When handling a surgical recovery during a heatwave, it’s important to remember that sweat means bacteria, so before going to bed I take a cool shower to cleanse my skin and dressings from the days moisture, before using my hairdryer on cool to dry myself thoroughly before reapplying my bra and support band. As I have two surgical bras it allows me to wash one as I wear the other in order to keep my skin super clean and safe in this early stage of my recovery.

I’ve received multiple emails, direct messages and comments this week from people around the world asking me about scarring – namely, what does mine look like and how can it be treated to minimise its appearance. At present I have dressings over my incisions, which I will remove in the shower three weeks after surgery – 7 days from now.

My stitches will naturally dissolve and do not have to be removed. So to answer this question about scarring, I’ve looked back through my phone to content taken whilst I was still in hospital, when I had my stitches checked and dressings changed less than 24hrs after my surgery.

As you can see, the border of the nipple is where the incisions are located for uplift and nipple reduction and relocation, as this is where the colour of the skin meets the pink of the areola to naturally conceal the cuts. There is also a single vertical line which runs from the nipple down to the bottom of the bust where the implant incision is made. Compared to a standard breast surgery, the only visible difference is the small vertical line.

Directly after surgery, my incisions are red much like a fresh cut or scratch, this will fade to pink in time as I heal and may end up turning white eventually. It all depends on how you heal as an individual. I have three options to improve the appearance of my scars, should I wish to once they are healed. The first is to apply scar oils and gels, from Bio Oil for scars and stretch marks to Dermatix Gel (16mg) as advised by my surgeon, I can purchase these over the counter at most supermarkets or pharmacies.

I may also have micro-pigmentation which is much like having a tattoo, to colour over my scars if they are white, to make them blend in with my skin colour or areola. And finally I may have laser scar removal treatment which focuses on repairing the scars, correcting the skin from the deepest layers to the surface to reduce raised or indented textures.

At present I’m not concerned with my surgical scars, as seeing them directly after surgery – perhaps at their very worst and most raw – I was amazed by just how neat, tidy and minimal they are, and know that as they heal their appearance will only reduce further and become even less noticeable with time.

I will however strive to achieve the very best results possible, in order to make my surgery undetectable and enjoy a natural and sustainable cleavage. So addressing scarring will be a bridge that I will cross when I come to it. Now I’m relaxing, shopping, enjoying time out with my children and relaxing with my pets, whiling away long summer days as each day that passes is one closer to my full recovery.

In one weeks time I’ll be able to remove my surgical dressings and see how my scars are healing, and will share that with you here. It’s amazing just how quickly the body recovers from surgery, and how human and healthy I feel just two weeks in.

3 Weeks After Surgery – Half Way Through My Recovery

I am now officially half way through my surgical recovery, three weeks post-op, three more to go until I reach the six week mark when I can return to the gym. Today not only marked a huge milestone, but was also the unveiling of my dressings coming off, and staying off, for the very final time.

This is a part of the recovery process that you can do by yourself at home, with no medical support necessary. Much like after grazing your knee and wearing a plaster until it eventually drops off, all of the necessary healing took place before I flew home from Istanbul, where I previously had my dressings changed multiple times by the nurses so that my surgeon could check my stitches and healing progress to ensure there was no infection or damage caused by moving about or sleeping.

I’ve had my dressings on for two weeks, for which they are long sticky strips that sit over my dissolvable stitches. only one corner lifted up in this time, and I stuck an additional piece over the skin that it revealed, as the hospital have me spare gauze and dressings should I need them. In this time I’ve showered with them, worn clothes, slept and gone about my day; they’ve stayed very firmly in place for which I haven’t had to do anything to them, aside from ensure that they’re dried properly after the shower with my hair dryer on cool.

So taking them off today was both an exciting, yet anxious time, as it was the first time that I had to physically do something regarding my surgery rather than just lay on a nurses bed and have them do it for me. There’s no skill or technique involved in removing plasters, as we’ve all done it at home with our first aid kits, and my healing around my incisions was already cleared to return home two weeks ago. So I knew that I had nothing to worry about.

I’ve never enjoyed the sensation of removing plasters, especially from an injured site, as I always think it will pull open a wound or hurt terribly, but in reality it never does. I therefore soaked my dressings in the shower this morning to soften them up, before slowly peeling them away from my skin to reveal my surgery scars beneath.

As my dressings have been on for two weeks there was a little dried blood from some of the stitches, as well as dead skin, which would have normally been washed away in the shower but was covered so couldn’t come off. As I have full sensation of my breasts and nipples, I felt the pulling sensation of removing the wet dressing, but it wasn’t painful or uncomfortable, it was just the thought of it that I didn’t enjoy, but it only took a minute each side to remove them.

If you’re squeamish with removing plasters and dressings, you could always ask a friend, family or partner to do it for you. This way you can lay down and close your eyes to not think about it, or if it’s not a problem and you want to do it yourself, then having a mirror nearby is helpful to see the incisions under the bust when trying to get to the edges.

I’d also recommend that you have breakfast first, or a meal, to keep your blood sugar levels up to prevent you from feeling faint or shaky. I always eat before having a piercing or tattoo, as well as any situation where I may feel anxious – such as removing dressings. This now means that I can begin using my scar gel, Dermatix Ultra Gel 15g, which my surgeon recommended that I apply twice per day along my incisions.

Whilst my stitches are still intact, they will dissolve over the coming days, as well as any scabs and blood dropping off now that my scars are exposed. This also means that dead skin can shed freely and the rest of my bruising, that is a little yellow around my nipples, can finally pass. Removing the dressings has caused a little pinkness to my skin, but that’s to be expected as with any wound, and aside from that I’m all set for the final half of my healing journey.

Seeing a side by side comparison of my old 825cc implants and my new 600cc implants in the same beige bikini is mind blowing. I’m astounded by how natural the shape, position and spacing of my new breasts look, which may not look like a huge difference to others, but is utterly life-changing for me to finally look and feel natural and in proportion. I’m over the moon!

I will continue to track my surgical recovery here, along with how my skin heals and scars change with time, which will ultimately determine if I have micro-pigmentation or laser treatments to minimise the signs of having surgery. Watch this space!

4 Weeks After Surgery

Whoop for being one month mark post-surgery! My recovery has absolutely flown by and I’m still pinching myself that it’s been an entire month already. My daily routine is so normal for me now, I have greater mobility to move my arms freely without feeling restriction, but ensure that I don’t life anything heavier than 10kg around the home.

Where I used to be cautious to not be knocked or get too close to people or my pets, now I rarely think of being so cautious. My dogs calmly snuggle up on the sofa with me, and I can step in and out of the shower, bed and daily activities unassisted without feeling fragile or in danger.

I must wear my surgical support bra and compression band for two more weeks, until I’m six weeks post-op, and am so excited by how quickly I’m healing and my surgical incisions and scars are fading.

Being a gym bunny, and living in the countryside, I’m forever getting knocks, cuts and scratches on my arms and legs from walking the dogs through the woods, or catching my legs in shorts and gym wear. When scratched or knocked my skin always turns red or pink before becoming a faded brown after many months, lightening to a pale white several months later. I’m therefore expecting the colours of my surgery scars to follow the same slow progress.

Whilst breast implant scars are concealed under the crease of the bust, I’m astounded by how minimal and discreet uplift scarring is, as just four weeks after surgery, I have a 1mm wide line running around the edge of my nipple and vertically down to the bottom of my breast.

To already look this subtle, so soon after having my surgery, I can’t imagine how amazingly natural my scars will look in a couple of months time. I still have some of my stitches intact, which are dissolvable and will drop out by themselves on their own as I continue to heal. Due to having my nipples repositioned during surgery, I wear a square of surgical gauze over each nipple, which is tucked inside my bra and leaves an indent on my breast momentarily when I take it off.

All bruising from surgery has now subsided, and aside from my nipples and breasts being momentarily indented from wearing my surgical bra and support band, they look so natural and sit so beautifully. I’m expecting their round shape to continue to drop into more of a teardrop as my skin and chest recovers throughout my healing. And I continue to apply my scar gel each day to speed up my scar healing.

I now have no concern of causing an injury to myself when I take my bra off to have a shower. Directly after surgery it’s natural to feel like your breasts may drop off or pull when you remove your bra, but as nurses and medical staff remove, clean and replace your bra many times, even hours after surgery it becomes evident that no damage is caused by being braless post-op. It’s more the thought of not being supported that feels awkward, rather than the reality of it.

Whilst I only remove my bra to take a short shower, perhaps for 10mins at a time, or to apply my scar gel before putting it back on again, it’s more of an everyday process now and not an anxious or uncomfortable experience.

I’ll continue to sleep on my back to prevent rolling onto my chest for 8-12wks post-op, and my next big milestone is returning to the gym at 6wks post-op. For now I’m having a lovely summer holidays with my children, enjoying the beautiful weather and appreciating the freedom of having a lighter and more natural bust.

5 Weeks After Surgery

Five weeks after my surgery, the main questions that I received on my social media content this week are people asking to see more photos of my incisions and the healing process of my surgical scars. So let’s take a closer look!

My breasts are continuing to soften and relax, taking on such a beautifully natural teardrop shape without exposing the top of my implants, as with my previous implants. There is now a smooth slope from my collarbones all the way down to my nipples, and as swelling and bruising has subsided, the fullness at the top of my breasts has thankfully remained and not sunken in as before. I’m also over the moon to see that my breasts sit pert and closer together when laying on my back, rather than my previous implants disappearing under my armpits and leaving a huge gap between them.

This week I have noticed some stitches start to drop away, with the majority of them still in place. The stitches feel like a fine plastic string that is clear in colour and often topped with a small scab. These take place every few inches along my incisions and are very discreet and unbothersome.

Checking my progress pictures with my surgical team and Dr Basat, they are pleased with my recovery and welcomed me to ask any questions that I may have. I questioned how long I should expect my dissolvable stitches to last before they all drop out and was advised that it should naturally occur by 8 weeks post surgery.

I was also advised to check in with recovery photos at week six before ceasing the use of my surgical bra and support band to ensure that I have healed sufficiently to be able to switch to a bra of my choosing. I commented that I find my surgical bra so wonderfully soft, supportive and comfortable, that I may voluntarily continue to wear it after this deadline and they said this would be fine. Before surgery, when I had my 825cc implants, I lived in stretchy gym bras because nothing was available in such an unnatural size unless custom made, so I’m well accustomed to wearing adjustable, soft material bras anyway.

This week has been super warm in England, with temperatures tickling thirty degrees, which has caused such a muggy, sweaty environment throughout the day and night. As a result of this, I’ve noticed that the skin on the lower part of my breast -which is where sweat and heat mostly occurs- has started to lightly peel and shed skin, and the same has happened on my arms.

I’m cautious not to scrub my breasts, incase I pull at the stitches or cause damage, but had a warmer and more steamy shower than usual to soften and lift off any shedding skin as I gently patted myself dry before applying my scar gel along my incision lines. Where I have surgical gauze tucked into my bra to prevent my nipples from chaffing on the fabric, my breasts are always indented when I take progress pictures, however if I leave my bra off for long enough, these indentations smooth out. I’d just like to point out that they’re not scars, stretch marks or a part of my recovery results, just temporary indentations from my surgical bra compression which I do not leave off for long enough periods of time to take pictures without this occuring.

I’m amazed at how quickly the redness of the vertical and nipple edge incisions are fading to a lighter pink, from a previous red. The horizontal incisions beneath the crease of my breasts are slightly darker, with more stitches still intact, but are certainly lightening in colour to a dark pink from the once red of my surgery. They’re also the point of contact for my surgical bra, and the carrier of the weight of the breast, so I expect these to take the longest amount of time to heal and lighten.

There are now just a few scabs to drop off from the top of the stitches, which will happen as they naturally dissolve. I’m not going to attempt to soften or remove them, as I haven’t intervened in my recovery at all, aside from applying my scar gel and taking showers. In seven days time I will check in with my surgeon once more, in the hope of receiving the all clear to return to the gym! I cannot express how excited I am to be able to get back to training, to ultimately return to full strength and rebuild my muscles one step at a time, safely and sustainably as a new woman!

Six Weeks After Surgery

Whoop for crossing the six week check-point post-op; I can finally return to the gym! Although I’ll be starting off slow and only lifting light weights at first, I’m incredibly excited to return to my normal routine again after having my breast reduction and uplift surgery. This feels like the final step to my healing and recovery and it’s such a buzz to know that the majority of my recovery is now out of the way.

So let’s take a peek at my results six weeks after surgery both standing up, laying down, from a distance and up close without a bra on…

I now have just a few dissolvable stitches left on some of my incisions, located mostly around my nipples, which have been the quickest to fade back down to normal colour due to the natural pink pigment of the areola. The rest of my skin -having avoided sunlight due to wearing my surgery bra all summer- is a pale white, for which my incisions are more noticeable, as they are now a medium-dark pink having faded from bright red initially after having surgery.

My breasts are dropping into a more natural shape as every week passes, along with my nipples rising to a more upright position instead of pointing down. It’s incredible to see my breasts and nipples adjust shape and position, but I never had any doubt that my results would be amazing, as Dr Basat is one of the worlds finest plastic surgeons. It’s simply a case of having patience and following all aftercare instructions carefully to maximise your results.

As I also had an uplift surgery, as well as a reduction, the most noticeable scarring that I have is from beneath my bust, which extends to where my arm naturally sits at my ribs. This allowed the removal of my excess skin, allowing my breasts to be higher and more pert, rather than drooping and sagging.

This is where the most stitches are still intact, along with a little scab on top of each, and I’m expecting these to take the longest to heal at around eight weeks post-op. I shall continue to use my scar gel each day, applying a small amount with my finger to the surface of my scars, before perhaps considering laser therapy once my skin is fully healed in around a years time from now to assess the progress that has been made in colour and texture.

This week also marks the end of me having to wear my surgical bra and support band, and as such it means that future progress photos that I take will not show the indents on my skin from my compression wear.

At this stage of my recovery it doesn’t feel as though I’ve had surgery at all; I can move normally, easily dress and wash myself, perform everyday activities and work, and finally return to my gym membership. Whilst six weeks may seem like a long time, a month and a half has literally flown by in the blink of an eye. The more that we obsess about time, and countdown to a deadline or occasion, the slower it seems to pass. But returning to my routine of children, my business and catching up with friends has kept me so pre-occupied that I literally had to pinch myself that another week passed so quickly!

My First Workout 6 Weeks After Surgery

Checking in with my surgeon first, I was given the all clear to train today and popped to the gym for an hour before work. Before having surgery I would typically train for around 2hrs per day, but wanted to give myself a soft return to gradually build up my strength and stamina, as I’m also looking to use my protein intake to repair my body after surgery rather than solely fuel my muscles for growth.

For this reason, I limited my workout to half an hour of cardio, for which I cycled, followed by half an hour of weights where I used cable machines to isolate my muscles rather than perform a compound or free weight action would would have put my chest muscles under tension. Effectively, I avoided my chest and back muscles today to return to fitness safely.

Instead I focused on seated bicep curls, seated tricep extensions, seated leg press and seated calf raises for only three sets of 12 reps at a far lighter weight than I would usually lift. Again this will avoid any hypertrophy of my muscles, and instead give me a gentle base to rebuild my fitness upon.

At no point did I use my chest or back muscles today at the gym. I didn’t feel any pain or discomfort throughout, and again utilised the cable machines to isolate my arm and leg muscles to build a foundation for my return to full strength. When I move onto compound exercises I will start with very low weights and listen to the response of my body throughout to not cause an injury or direct my body’s healing response away from my chest and onto my muscles.

After my short and sweet first session back, I hopped onto the body composition scales to test my current level of body fat. In fitness, weight is certainly not a measure of health as muscle weighs more than fat, but what I was looking for here is my boss fat mass and percentage to gauge how my body has responded to a month and a half away from training, as well as a fair few cheeky meals and treats across the summer.

Today I discovered that my weight is 10st 7lb / 67.1kg and my body fat percentage is 23.1% with 15.5kg of fat in my body. For my height and age it’s recommended that I have between 16.4kg – 20.6kg of body fat mass from 24.5% to 30.8%, so I’m happily below this, however as I’m athletic I’d ideally want to maintain around 15-18% throughout the year. It’s been lovely to take a month and a half off of training, to rest, relax, have treats and be a little lazy for once, but I’m super excited to now get back on track to look and feel my very best post-op.

So here’s to the next 4wks of this blog where I’ll aim to move a little closer to my fitness target of 15-18% body fat. I’ll give myself 30 days from here to show my final before and after pictures and stats as an indication of what can be achieved safely after having surgery. Softly softly, I’ll get there in time and it’s ok if it doesn’t happen by the time that I conclude my 10 week post-surgery update here.

7 Weeks After Surgery

One week back at the gym and I wanted to check in with my progress towards my 15-18% body fat goal. Obviously I’m not going to hit it in 30 days post-surgery, but I’m hoping to make slow, steady and sustainable progress towards it over the next three weeks and am thrilled to say that I’ve dropped from 23.1% down to 21.2% body fat simply by lifting light weights and consuming the same plant based diet as always.

I haven’t cut my calorie intake or changed my eating habits at all, I’ve just added a 30mins cycle and 30mins light weight session to my routine every other day. In a week I have gone from 15.5kg of body fat mass to 14.1kg and feel so much better for it. I’m still a long way off of being able to lift the weights that I did before having my surgery, but I’m taking my first steps towards my goal and these will undoubtedly be the most noticeable – as the closer that you get to a lower body fat percentage, the slower those last grams are to come off.

As I’m out of my surgery bra and compression band now, I’m having so much fun trying on new lingerie for my new bust and am a 34E / Small / UK8 in the majority of brands. It’s wonderful to be able to fit into normal clothes and feel sexy and feminine without looking oversized or unbalanced.

Despite having a smaller bust, I feel more body confident than ever and literally haven’t stopped smiling since the moment that I woke up from surgery. I have found me again, and that’s absolutely priceless.

It’s beyond amazing to be able to return to the gym and restore my normal routine. Whilst I’ve yet to build up the frequency of my gym visits, along with the duration, weights and reps, just a little taste of my active lifestyle returning has been so motivational for me.

I’m keen to ensure that my surgical incisions continue to heal, rather than divert my immune system onto building muscle mass, so I will continue to progress slowly. As I’m able to wear regular lingerie, rather than my surgical bra 24/7, this means that I can wear whatever clothes I like and no longer have to think about concealing my dressings with high neck or closed over tops. I have a little bit of skin peeling still happening, much like after tanning on holiday, which is primarily around the mid to lower bust and may be down to me not scrubbing and exfoliating my skin in the shower as I usually would prior to having surgery.

It’s been lovely to catch up with friends, go on nights out and enjoy the end of the summer. And when people ask me what I’ve been up to, and I say that I’m recovering from surgery, they all seem to be shocked and tell me that I don’t look like I’ve been in hospital or am still healing, as I come across as fit, healthy and active – which is of course lovely to hear!

Surgery doesn’t have to be scary, stop you from living your life or turn you into a different person. You can make such small and efficient adaptations to your day whilst you recover so that it has the most minimal impact on your day to day life. My final milestone will be to stop sleeping on my back at night, and return to my stomach and side sleeping, which will take place at 12 weeks post surgery. Not long now!

8 Weeks After Surgery

With just two weeks left of my blog updates, until I reach the 10wk post-surgery mark, I’m so excited to announce that all of my dissolvable stitches are now out! The clear plastic-like thread stitches and scabs have gradually dropped off over the past few days to reveal fresh, pink and healthy new skin beneath as my surgery scars and incisions enter their next phase of healing.

The first phase of my dressings coming off (plasters stuck over the stitches) was such an exciting milestone, followed by no longer needing to wear my surgery bra and support band, and now finally my final dissolvable stitches dropping off. For all intents and purposes, I am now healed from surgery and can also sleep on my front or side at night if I wish to, rather than remaining on my back.

I remember many years ago, at the age of 18yrs old when I first had my breast implants, I was so nervous to sleep on my front for fear of squashing or bursting them. They felt tight if I laid on my front and heavy on my lungs if I laid on my back, and so I adopted a side sleeping position that I’ve always stuck with.

I like to be overly cautious when it comes to sleeping, especially after having a breast uplift surgery where my incisions extend towards my armpits, as I didn’t want to attempt sleeping on my side at night until all of my stitches had dropped out. Typically, you can return to your preferred sleeping position 4-6 weeks after having breast surgery, if you feel comfortable to do so.

This also means that I can remove my multiple pillows and sleep flat once again. Up until now I had kept the 45 degree incline whilst sleeping on my back, as it made it more difficult for me to absentmindedly roll onto my side whilst sleeping, and as such I haven’t had any movement at night or woken up on my front or side with the fear of causing damage.

To lay flat again, and twist and turn until my heart is content, is such a strange feeling and for the first several minutes I felt myself tensing up, cautious to not put weight onto the side of my breast that touched the bed. But after a while I relaxed, accepted that it felt natural and comfortable, and really enjoyed the ability to sleep in my favourite position again after healing from surgery.

I would definitely recommend listening to your body, not making any big changes too soon, and stopping any movement or position that feels tender or uncomfortable for you, regardless of how many weeks you are into your recovery – prevention of injury or complications is key. If in doubt, ask your surgeon for individual advice as aftercare techniques are not a one size fits all, we all heal at different rates.

Speaking of healing, I thought that I’d share the colour progress of my incisions with you for my 8 week check-in. Interestingly, my right nipple scar is more pink than the left which has already faded to my natural skin colour. This shows how different parts of the body can heal at completely different speeds, perhaps with a left and right, or top and bottom healing preference. But I know that in time, all of my scars will complete their healing journey and end up at around the same shade, colour and texture.

With each day that now passes, my surgery becomes less and less detectable, until one day my scars will simply be a faint and fine line that you’d have to squint or get up close to see. I’m loving training at the gym, have been to some fabulous events and occasions and feel so confident and complete with my smaller, more convenient and sustainable bust. Life is beautiful!

9 Weeks After Surgery

Today the 7 day countdown begins to the end of my post-surgery updates at week 10. I’m feeling so motivated for my gym progress and have started upping my weights, as I approach my pre-surgery strength and training again.

I’ve also begun studying for my next qualifications, as I try my best to take exams every year for personal development, and life is feeling so positive and inspiring for me right now. The catalyst of having surgery has given me such a zest for life and I grow physically, mentally and emotionally stronger everyday, feeling so healthy as I jump out of bed each day.

I’ve also noticed my vertical surgery incisions starting to blur or almost dissolve, as they no longer appear to be a thin dark pink line or raised skin, but instead are breaking into a series of pink blood vessels which are lightening up and shrinking away day by day. I’ve attached a picture of my darkest scars, on my right breast, for which I’ve almost used up my tube of scar gel.

I can either buy another tube online or move to Bio Oil for scar reduction, as well as looking into scar treatments of laser and micropigmentation over the coming months. But either way, I’m not in a hurry to hide the pinkness for any reason, as I know that my body is taking care of my healing.

I love how my biceps, triceps, lats and delts are increasing in strength and size with each gym session. Working out hasn’t caused me any aches or pains, I’ve not felt any pain or discomfort due to my surgery, and I’m pretty much as strong now as I was before having my breast reduction. I can easily carry shopping bags, do housework, tend to the garden, play with my children and go about everyday life with bags of energy just three weeks after returning to training.

The healthier that you are before and after having surgery, the quicker and more effective your recovery will naturally be. Just 9wks after surgery I feel better than ever. I’m super excited for my seven day count down to showing my final before and after pictures and hope that in sharing my journey we can break down the taboo of having breast reductions before your latter years of life. There is never a better time to consider the freedom from large breasts than now!

10 Weeks After Surgery

And she’s crossed the finish line! Ten weeks post-surgery, it’s my 30th day back at the gym and the results are in – I feel fantastic and love my new physique! What an incredible difference it’s made to be able to fit into regular gym wear, lift weights again and be aesthetically in proportion at last.

Just a few days before my 37th birthday, I feel on top of the world post-surgery and have just completed my diploma in Emotional Intelligence which I passed with distinction. Whilst I wish the world didn’t judge a persons intelligence on their looks and all that is superficial, furthering my education in the field of psychology feels so cathartic for me and further reinforces my return to a more natural appearance by reducing my bust size.

The more that I mature and develop throughout my life, the less value I place upon trying to please or impress others. Whether I have long hair or short, large breasts or smaller, wear high heels or trainers, I do so for myself because I choose to. I feel just as confident in my baggy pyjamas with no makeup on as I do in a mini dress, gym wear or lingerie because I love and accept myself and body. Having a breast reduction has given me the peace that I didn’t realise I needed; it’s removed the negativity and judgement surrounding an outrageous appearance and allowed me to feel at ease in my body rather than judged.

Whilst I’d like to think that I would have have naturally reduced my bust size with age -due to the weight of my previous implants and the side effects they would cause to my posture and overall health with time- I’m so pleased that I took the leap now whilst I’m young enough and able to enjoy this new lease of life.

It can be all too easy to ignore the things that inconvenience our lives. To put off large or life changing decisions and stick to what you know, even if you recognise that it no longer serves your present. But ultimately these daily inconveniences, and unnecessary suffering, must come to a head and the process of taking the first step to change becomes more comfortable than standing still and doing nothing. Deciding to have surgery is no walk in the park; a million thoughts pass through your mind and there are so many questions to answer as your imagination runs wild. “What if I don’t like the results?” “What if something goes wrong?” “What if it hurts?” “What if other people realise that I’ve had surgery?” I hope that sharing my journey has answered some of these concerns.

Since returning to the gym 6 weeks after my surgery, week by week for the past month, my body fat has lowered as I rebuild muscle mass and feel strong and toned once again for the completion of my surgical recovery. I love that I can finally buy lingerie from any high street store, as well as online, without having to settle for either the oversized and unwanted irregular pieces or the expense of having to have underwear custom made.

It feels like a whole new way of living has opened up to me, and it’s all thanks to my breast reduction surgery. I’ve never felt so young at heart, healthy and happy in my own skin as I do now – everything has fallen into place now that I’ve removed my oversized breast implants which were a poor past choice that has been rectified.

From now on my updates here will go from weekly to monthly, or perhaps longer, as I chart the progress of my scar healing and any treatments undertaken to improve them. I hope that you’ve found my surgery diary helpful and would like you to know that I am always happy to take and answer any questions you may have.

The more that we talk about surgical procedures, and educate those who are looking at having surgery, the better we can inform and protect against poor practice and sub-standard clinics in order to prevent unnecessary complications. Our good health and wellbeing is everything, please never take it for granted.

Dr. Salih Onur Basat has very kindly given me a 10% discount code, which you’re also welcome to use if you wish to have a surgery with him. Simply text “KISS10” to my surgeons medical team on +905330673879 to make an inquiry or booking.

Remember to check back here soon to see how I’m getting on!

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