Helen’s Makeover Diary
Posted: Tuesday 24 May 2011 09:26am
Helen, our star of New You TV Series 1, records her thoughts and feelings, charting her recovery from breast lift surgery and facial rejuvenation.
I Meet Dr Merten: February 1, 2011
I was quite nervous about my initial consult with Dr Steve Merten at Pure Aesthetics. But as soon as I met him they disappeared. He is really such a nice man, with a genuine, gentle way about him. I actually would not have thought that it would matter if you actually liked your surgeon but I really think it does!
Explaining to him why I wanted the surgery was so simple, more so than I thought it would have been. He agreed with concerns in a way that did not make me feel bad about myself or embarrassed.
There’s a lot of information to take in on that first visit, and you have many opportunities to ask questions although I think you think of many more afterwards. At least, I did!
My first consultation with Dr Steve Merten
I was sent away with info and answers to most of my questions so if there was something that I had forgotten to ask generally I could refer back to the notes Dr Merten gave me.
At my first consultation with him, Dr Merten gave me some Botox injections for the lines between my eyebrows. It’ll will take about a week to see results.
Dr Merten gives me Botox
******************************************************************
My Family’s Reaction
My family and friends have listened to me over the years complaining about how my breasts look. I don’t think it came as a great surprise to anyone that I had made the decision to have surgery, of course there was normal concern for my wellbeing, as there are always risks and the possibility of complications.
My Mum did the typical mum thing of “there is nothing wrong with you” but after I invited her along to the initial consultation she was 100 per cent supportive of my decision. I took her not only for a bit of moral suppor but she is a nurse and I thought there may be things that I did not understand that she could “translate” for me.
I had been unhappy with the shape and droop of my breasts for years
But it was an unfounded concern as Dr Merten explained everything in a way that is easy to understand. I think Mum saw what I saw and what Dr Merten also saw. Afterwards she told me that she could totally understand why I was considering the surger.
Although I had made my mind up it was great to have her reinforce that she could see why I wanted to do this.
As I went through the final decision-making process there were certainly moments of self reflection: “Am I being self indulgent, is this really something that you should be considering” so to have my family say ” do it! you have always been unhappy with your breasts” was really the final validation for me.
******************************************************************
Why I’m Having Surgery: February 10
Tomorrow I’m having surgery. I am feeling really apprehensive and a little scared, although this is something that I want to do.
I’ve thought long and hard about the whole process but now it seems daunting. I’m probably being quite irrational but I am worried about the surgery.
The recovery is something that although I keep being told is not too bad I am still scared as to how much pain I may be in. And of course what the end result is going to be.
I can’t remember a time that I was happy with the shape and size of my breasts. My body has gone through changes over the years, putting in weight, losing weight … the cycle I think a lot of women go through.
Finally I feel fit and healthy and my body feels good, but my breasts just look the same. Nno amount of squats or running on the treadmill is going to change them.
I have had to dress around them. Decisions have been made on clothes based on how by breasts looked in an outfit. It’s been such a normal part of my life, that I can’t really believe that I’m not going to need to worry about it anymor.
Although I have known about the options out there when it comes to reductions and lift surgery, I had never really considered it for myself … until one day I did!
******************************************************************
Operation Breast Lift and Reduction: February 11
I got back from surgery a few hours ago and I cannot believe how good I feel; very relaxed. It so much better than I thought! I’m all bandaged up and will be until tomorrow. I cannot wait to see how I look.
******************************************************************
The Morning After: February 12
Last night went really well. I managed to sleep and was not in too much discomfort at all. My movement is a little limited and I feel quite stiff and tender but now nearly as bad as my initial fear had been.
I just saw Dr Merten and he told me that he was 100 per cent happy with how the surgery went; everything had gone just as planned. He removed the bandages and I cannot believe the difference, although there is still swelling which will remain for a few weeks.
My breasts look so much better than I had thought they would. I also thought there would be a lot more swelling and bruising.
I am able to go home but I’m going to stay at Mum’s for a few days first. So far so good. I feel really well and the results I think are going to be so much better than I had ever dreamed.
******************************************************************
Back To Normal Routine: February 23
It’s now been a few weeks since my surgery, I have gone back to work this week. I did feel quite tired after the first few days after the surgery, I had been told that with this particular operation that happens, not sure why. I
had some bruising after about a week again nothing too bad, certainly not black and blue! Except for lifting and exercising I really got back to normal routine pretty quickly, everything was just going a little slower.
I did make sure that I just rested and that’s made a big difference. I would say it is very important to not push yourself, which can be hard especially when you’re an active person like me. It’s actually hard to sit around and rest.
Being back at work has been fine, my job does not require heavy lifting or too much activity so I was lucky that I did not need to take too much time off. Every day during the past few weeks I just felt better and better and less sensitive.
It was great to go back the week after and see Dr Merten, have the dressing changed and hear that everything was healing exactly as it should be! Ill continue to take it easy until I see him again I am looking forward to when I can get back into my normal routine of exercising that’s a few weeks off yet.
******************************************************************
Feeling Better And Better: March 8
Feeling so much better and back to normal almost! I have started back at the gym just doing some light cardio and not getting my heart rate up too much (per doctor’s instructions!). It feels so good to be working out again.
After Botox and skin treatments I have seen a significant difference
I have been having skin treatments too with Doulgas Pereira and I really can start to see a difference. After the Botox kicked in, I know that I don’t look as angry as I think I was starting to.
Having Microhydrabrasion at Pure Aesthetics with Douglas Pereira
I’m booked to get some dermal fillers around my mouth in the next few weeks and am really looking forward to that!
******************************************************************
On The Run Again: March 21
I saw Dr Merten this morning and he said I can go back to normal training. I am so happy I can run again! He said everything back to 100 per cent normal!
It’s still quite amazing to me to think that just two months ago this was all in the future and I was unsure how I would feel but now it’s all over and I’m back to normal and it was just so easy really!
I have had an appointment back at Pure Aesthetics with Scott and he did some dermal fillers [Juvederm] around my mouth. I am so so happy with the results and it was instant! I could feel slight pressure from the injections but certainly nothing that it too hard to handle. Before all this I really thought I didn’t have a highh pain threshold so none of it can be that bad!
The results from Dermaroller treatments I am really starting to notice now. My pores are so refined and my skin has a glow that I’ve never seen before. Combine that with the running and I am going to be one very happy girl!
******************************************************************
I’m Going To Miss Them! April 11
Last appointment with Dr Merten for the foreseeable future! Again just a check up.
The after care and contact that you still receive is really amazing from all the people at Pure Aesthetics. They are all so friendly as well -Dr Merten, Douglas and Scott right through to the girls on reception.
They remember who you are about the journey that you have had … it’s become a really welcoming environment for me which I did not think would happen. They seem to genuinely care about you.
Douglas seems almost as excited as I am when I see him for my skin appointments! you can tell they are all passionate about helping people and doing what they love
For someone from the beauty industry I know that not all people in skin and health care are doing it for the love and I had suspected that maybe plastic surgeons and skin specialists may be the same. If my experience is anything to go by I was totally wrong.
It’s not once been intimidating, embaressing or frightening. I’m going to miss these guys – what can I get done next???!!!
by Helen
Comments (0) Print Send to friend Share or bookmark this page
Comment on Helen’s Makeover Diary
Comments (0) - Share your thoughts on this topic with other Younger You visitors.
Be the first to comment.