Breast augmentation: the operation

How did the initial contact at the Jan van Goyen Aesthetic Center go? “From the very first contact with the Jan van Goyen clinic, I felt at ease. I was spoken to calmly and patiently, and no matter how much I called or emailed with questions, I always received a quick and good response. Because I do not underestimate surgery, after my first consultation with a plastic surgeon, I also wanted a consultation with Dr. Roossink. Simply to go with the best feeling. During both my first and second consultations, I received good and expert assistance. I explained that I find my body shape too round in proportion to my breasts. I have lost a total of +/- 30 kilos, and as a result, I have lost about 1.5 cup sizes. I was proud of the fact that I was slimmer now, but my smaller breasts actually cast a kind of shadow over this. I really wanted the implants placed in front of the muscle because the idea of cutting a muscle didn't sound very appealing to me, but mainly because I was afraid of a double bubble.” How did you eventually arrive at the right size implants? “Because my breasts are 13.5 cm wide, we started immediately with a 480cc trial implant. I tried on the 480cc and looked in the mirror. I had already had consultations at four other clinics, and everywhere I went, I looked at myself quite strangely with the trial implants. It didn't look like it was mine or could be mine. Which, of course, isn't the case yet, so I found it difficult to imagine what it would be like when the implants were actually inside my body. I was also advised the dual plane method everywhere, even though I indicated that I really wanted them in front of the muscle. At Jan van Goyen, the trial implants were placed in the sports bra in such a beautiful way that it already felt like my own. I don't know how they do this, but I looked in the mirror and finally saw a body that was ”complete” to me. Everything was right. My breasts were in proportion to the rest of my body again, and I felt no more doubt. Both surgeons I consulted indicated that it was for ”It wasn’t a problem for me to place the prosthesis in front of the muscle because I had sufficient coverage from my own tissue.“ “And then you made the decision?“ ”After the conversation with the plastic surgeon, I went to see the consultant to discuss some practical matters regarding the operation and also to make an appointment with the anesthesiologist. I really appreciated this sequence. I have experienced situations where I didn’t have a conversation with the plastic surgeon at all about the operation or other substantive matters. Yet this contact with the plastic surgeon is precisely what is so important. After the conversations, I scheduled the operation for six months later; this worked best for taking time off, but I also wanted to have enough time to prepare myself. It would be my very first operation and therefore also my first general anesthesia, which is quite nerve-wracking, and you also want to take sufficient time for recovery. During the months leading up to the operation, I bombarded the clinic with emails and questions about the operation and recovery. Nothing was too much trouble, and I was always treated with patience and kindness. There is so much understanding that you absolutely do not feel like just a number.“ Finally, the moment had arrived. ”On the day of my surgery, I went to the clinic with my boyfriend. I was the first surgery of the day, which I had also indicated as a preference so that I would have the whole day to recover. Here too, the people were the friendliest and most patient. I wasn't afraid for a single second and was in good hands. I was allowed to change in a separate small room where my boyfriend was allowed to be present. Then he left, and I was allowed to walk with him to a room with the beds. A lot of explanation was given about what was being done and why. The anesthesiologist came by. When I told him that I found the anesthesia the scariest part, he really took the time to reassure me. Then Dr. Roossink came to sign everything off; once again, she explained exactly what she was doing and what she was going to pay attention to. After that, I was allowed to walk with her to the operating room. That was when I did get a little nervous, but because everyone remained so calm and professional, this feeling subsided quickly. While administering the anesthesia, the anesthesiologist asked a bit about my last vacation, I remember that I described the beach and didn't even feel myself drifting off. Less than an hour later, I woke up under a nice warm blanket. I wasn't wearing a bandage or sports bra yet, so I could take a bit of a look. I was very afraid that it wouldn't feel like my own body anymore, but they were just my own breasts, only bigger, actually just like they were before I lost weight. I was so happy and relieved; the biggest tension was gone. I drifted back to sleep peacefully; I had no pain at all, so that went fine. How did you find the recovery? “When I fell asleep again after the surgery, still in the clinic, I was woken up by a friendly nurse. I had lain on my side a bit, which is of course not supposed to happen. I hadn't noticed this because I wasn't in any pain at all. She helped me onto my back and up a little, told me that she had called my boyfriend and asked approximately what time he would come to pick me up. She also asked if I wanted something to eat, and since you have to have surgery on an empty stomach, I was quite hungry for something to eat and drink by then. I was allowed to choose from all sorts of things and shortly afterwards received what I had ordered. Then the sports bra went on; I was helped well to put it on, and then I was allowed to pee. It surprised me how easily I could already walk and how good I actually felt. I wasn't nauseous and felt fine. Once I had peed and been checked by Dr. Roossink, I was allowed to get dressed at my leisure. It all went so much better than I expected. Everything was explained to me calmly one last time, and I was given an envelope with the necessary information for At home." How did the recovery go at home? ”There were bandages over my incisions that had to stay on for two weeks. The appointment to have them removed was also included in the information provided. I had indicated that my skin did not heal quickly in the past with stitches and that I had consequently developed ugly, wide scars. Dr. Roossink indicated that she would take this into account when suturing, and that certainly worked out well. After a few weeks, the bandages, which had stayed on perfectly fine despite showering, could be removed. After 48 hours, I was already allowed to shower cautiously again, as long as the wounds didn't get too wet. When I saw the scars while removing the bandages, I was enormously pleasantly surprised. I have very pale skin and know that my scars can remain purplish for up to a year; that is simply the scar formation of my skin. But they were already beautifully formed within the crease and not large at all. They had healed perfectly and were already beautiful. Wonderful. For the first few days after my surgery, I only took mild painkillers. After five days, I am back at the office. I went back to work, but after three days I was already able to sit at Christmas dinner. The only thing that was painful was my ribs. Getting up and down in bed was the hardest part, and I slept on my back in a U-shaped pillow. After a week or two, sleeping went back to normal, and I was able to lie on my side more and more easily. During the first check-up, it was indicated that everything looked good. Two days after my surgery, I dared to take off my sports bra for a moment to shower and take a look. I thought the breasts were beautiful from the very first moment, and that feeling has remained. I had hardly any bruising and not an extreme amount of swelling either. Because of this, the result was good right from the start. How do you look back on the whole process now? “Very well! Although after 2.5 months I felt a sort of lump in my left breast. Because my mother passed away from breast cancer, I was very alert. I went to the GP and then I made an appointment with Dr. Roossink. Fortunately, this could be arranged on short notice. Luckily, it wasn't a malignant lump, but a small wrinkle that occurs quite often with hydrogel implants. There was nothing to see and nothing to worry about. To confirm this, I called the clinic. It was no problem at all to visit Dr. Roossink, and this could be arranged very quickly. Here too, the understanding felt very nice. Dr. Roossink confirmed the same. The hydrogel implant can sometimes wrinkle a bit more than the silicone variants. After this appointment, there were several opportunities to come in for check-ups, but in my case, that wasn't necessary at all. It felt good and I experienced no complications. A year after my procedure, I scheduled one final check-up; I find this a comforting thought. I am currently seven months down the line and I am more than 100% satisfied. If I ever consider a cosmetic procedure again, it will definitely be at this clinic, and if possible with Dr. Roossink. Everything exceeded my expectations, and I am still incredibly happy with the result every day. More information about breast augmentation