I met Mr Russo for the first time earlier today.
Charlotte (my patient co-ordinator) offered to be present during the consultation - I declined figuring if I didn't feel comfortable/confident in Mr Russo's presence without a chaperone he was not the correct surgeon for me!
I actually felt surprisingly at ease with him. Initially we spoke about my reasons for wanting surgery and what I hope to achieve.
I explained to him that I have lost a lot of weight (6st 7lb loss between December 2010 & August 2012) and that my boobs have not fared well. The skin is stretched and my breasts sag pendulously unless supported by a bra.
He asked me to remove my top and bra and to stand infront of him (he remained sitting in his chair putting his face at approximately the same level as my breasts). He examined my breasts and spoke to me about the procedure.
This should have been a bizarre experience - standing facing a man I don't know with both of my breasts held firmly in his hands as he manipulated them and chatted - but I was curiously put at my ease by Mr Russo's interest only in the aesthetics of my far from satisfactory boobs!
The consultation resolved in my mind that as well as an uplift I want an augmentation.
Mr Russo told me that an uplift will result in my losing at least one cup size. I have always been large breasted and the thought of losing even more volume is not a welcome one for me. Since losing my excess weight I have been very happy with my body shape in underwear (my bare breasts are another matter entirely!) and I am fortunate to have an hourglass figure (41 - 28 - 41); I wasn't happy at the thought that after the uplift I would become a pear shape.
Mr Russo spoke to me about the option of augmentation as well as uplift. He said in my case he would not do both procedures together (although that would be usual). He said that the weight of the implant added to the weight my own breast tissue would be too great a risk for nipple loss and would definitely result in more visible scarring.
I was initially very disappointed at the thought of having to have two operations and was concerned I would have to pay for an uplift and then for an augmentation. Mr Russo, however, assured me that I would pay only the cost of the combined procedure (i.e. as if the implants were positioned during the uplift operation; despite him having to operate twice instead of once).
I will, however, be required to pay an addition £500 for the second anaesthetic, overnight stay, nursing etc.
I am happy with that.
I am happy with that.
