Aurora Clinics take our patients’ satisfaction very seriously. As such, we consistently collect feedback from patients who have completed a whole range of plastic or cosmetic surgery procedures with us. Each month we collate those results and see how we can improve. Here are some of the findings from Nov-Dec, based on 41 patients who had lots of different procedures including Breast Enlargement, Breast Reduction, Blepharoplasty and Labiaplasty.

What Criteria Forms the Patient Satisfaction Survey?

We asked our patients about their satisfaction with the Aurora Clinics experience in a number of areas including:

• How Easy was it to Schedule an Appointment
• How Would You Rate Your Consultation Experience
• How Would You Rate the Hospital Facilities
• How Would You Rate the Aftercare
• How Happy are You with the Results of Your Surgery
• Would You Recommend Aurora to Your Friends

Very Positive Patient Feedback

A lot of the feedback we received was exceptionally positive.

• 83% said it was ‘Very Easy’ or ‘Easy’ to schedule an appointment with Aurora Clinics
• 62.5% rated their Consultation experience ‘Excellent’ (with a further 37.5% rating  this aspect ‘Very Good’
• Aftercare and Results of Surgery both also scored 62.5% in the ‘Excellent’ satisfaction stakes
• A whopping 100% of the 41 patients surveyed this month would recommend Aurora to their friends!

Patient Testimonials

Here are a selection of the feedback testimonials we received on the Patient Satisfaction Survey…it’s great to hear that you are all generally so pleased with your Aurora Clinics experience!

• “Excellent surgeon and nurse, great results. All staff were friendly and helpful, made the whole experience much easier, would recommend aurora clinics to anyone.”
• “Mr Richards and his friendly, expert team should be the only choice for somebody looking to have breast augmentation. Exemplary care, constant phone/email availability and reliable support from initial consultation to discharge and beyond. As a perfectionist, I’m not an easy person to please. But I’m thrilled with the quality of the outcome and the time spent to find the perfect size and shape for my frame, the value of the procedure against competitor offerings and the outstanding service provision from aurora clinics and the Shelburne. The operation was smooth, i was thoroughly looked after and Mr. Richards is a fantastic surgeon. Brilliant.”
• “Overall my experience was excellent. Mr Richards and his staff were all lovely and very attentive. I always felt respected and cared for. I have no complaints whatsoever and am thrilled with the result of my procedure.”

But No Resting On Our Laurels…We’re Listening To Your Comments

Of course, we also want to actively address any feedback you have about ways in which Aurora Clinics can improve and keep going from strength-to-strength. This time we learnt that: you would like a clear, structured process for sending pre and post op pictures by email and to have more information about when your pictures will be sent. Please note that we are listening and try to act upon all your comments as best as we can.

If you have any Testimonials or Feedback which you would like to send to Aurora Clinics, you can do so anytime via info@aurora-clinics.co.uk

Many women are currently having their breast implants removed or replaced. Some women simply need breast reduction surgery because they are unhappy with the appearance of their large breasts in clothing or feel the weight of them is uncomfortable. Either way, if you now wish to significantly reduce the size of your bust, a consideration might be how small your breasts are able to go…

Question :
I am 5ft 2in with a 34KK bust. Could you tell me the smallest sized cup I could expect to reach if I had breast reduction surgery?

Answer :
Thank you very much for your enquiry.

Bust size following breast reduction surgery varies upon the appearance of your bust prior to surgery and where the volume lies.

Generally, if the majority of the volume is based in the lower part of the breast, this tissue will be removed and most patients can expect to drop to a C Cup. However, if the volume is located more towards the top of the breast, it may not be feasible to drop to a C and you may end up with a D Cup.

The important thing is to make your bust blend in with your individual body shape so as it is easier for you to wear clothes and you do not look top heavy.

We think it would be useful for you to listen to our free information CD on breast reduction surgery. We also have breast reduction videos which might help you get an idea of the possible results that you could achieve.

Many thanks for contacting us.

Best Wishes,

The Aurora Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Team

1 Week Post- Bilateral Breast Reduction Surgery:

I’m doing great and amazingly I’m not in any pain!

We are travelling down tomorrow for my appointment at the Three Shires Hospital (Northampton) to sort out my stitches.

I can see a bit of bruising on the sides under my armpit but it doesn’t hurt.

I spoke to Diane (the receptionist at The Gatehouse Clinic, Northampton) to rearrange my next appointment as my partner is back to work on the Monday, so can’t bring me down…this should be fine.

I think I did get a bit of post-op blues worrying that my nipple wasn’t high up enough but I guess they will take a while to settle and it’s a vast improvement on what they were like, so I’m really happy!

Mr Richards really is amazing – all I wanted was to be normal and buy off-the-peg bras and bikinis which I can do now thanks to him.

My neck and back pain is completely gone and my posture has definitely improved.

I can’t wait to sort through my wardrobe and I’m going to give all my big bras to charity – apparently they send them to Africa.

For more information on Bilateral Breast Reduction Surgery at Aurora Clinics, why not request one of our Free Information CDs? You can also schedule a Free Consultation with an Aurora Surgeon by calling us on 01844 214 362

Monday Evening

Sue, Mr Richards Business manager, arranged for me to be admitted the night before my operation as I live quite some distance away. I arrived at the hospital at 9pm and was immediately seen by the RMO who did a routine ECG and blood test. The nurse who also explained what would happen the next morning gave me an orientation of my room. I was really pleased how quick and efficient the staff worked from the moment I stepped through the hospital entrance. They wanted all the tests completed as quickly as possible for me, so that I had time to relax, ensuring I had a good nights undisturbed sleep.

Tuesday

The next morning, my allocated nurse came in to see me and explained that the Anaesthetist and Mr Richards would be round to see me shortly. I had a shower and put on my theatre gown. Pura, Mr Richard’s lovely Anaesthetist went through some paperwork with me and explained that I was first on the theatre list. Mr Richards marked my eyes and breasts for incision points. He made me feel totally at ease and assured me that he would get the result I wanted. I happily signed the consent forms.

Within a few seconds I was on my way to theatre, and given an intravenous ‘champagne cocktail’ by his Anaesthetist.

I woke up with a drip in my left arm (purely for a couple doses of prophylactic antibiotics). I was given some cold pads to put over my eyes to help reduce any swelling. I also applied some auridermXO cream under my eyes to help eliminate any bruising. I drank copious amounts of water to help flush out the anaesthetic and was encouraged to get up hourly and walk about (this helps reduce the risk of DVT which is a complication which can occur following any operation) At no time at all was I in any pain, I can only say minor discomfort , and I only needed paracetamol tablets to alleviate this.

The attention from the nurses was frequent and regular and I felt totally looked after.

Wednesday

All is well, the immediate relief of the weight taken from my breasts is so apparent, I do not know why I never considered the operation sooner. My breasts feel so much lighter. I cannot really tell what my eyes will look like yet as they are still swollen. I can see, but they feel a little too sensitive to read yet. I watch some television in between covering my eyelids with ice cold pads. Mr Richards speaks to me on the hospital telephone and reassured me all went very well and confirms I can leave hospital later today, as previously arranged with him.  I do doze off occasionally as it takes around 3 days for the anaesthetic to work its way out of my system.

I am given an appointment to come back and see the nurse next Monday for suture removal and clipping of dissolvable sutures and an appointment to see Mr Richards in two weeks. I continue to take paracetamol which is all I need to reduce the slight discomfort for my breasts as they are now slightly bruised and swollen. I am given written instructions to follow for the next 6 weeks regarding changing tape and wearing of a special bra night and day for gentle support. I continue with the AuridermXo cream and have to say that I have no bruising under my eyes at all, this is partly the cream but also reflects on how well Mr Richards performs his operations.

I am told to rest for two / three weeks but I am back at work by the end of week two, my eyes look fabulous and everyone has remarked how well I look – all those who know me well have said ‘ Mr Richards has done a perfect job’

With all my thanks to Mr Richards and his team.

Tina.

Free nipple grafts were used some years ago because they were believed to be a safer technique in performing very large breast reductions of 1 kilogram and over per side.

The reason for a nipple graft technique was considered safe is that no pedicle (the bridge of tissue which supplies blood and there supply to the nipple was required).

Surgeons felt that the blood supply to the nipple can vary large breast reductions because the pedicle will need to be very long might be jeopardized towards its tip.

Therefore, they were concerned about the nipple at the end of the pedicle may have problems with its blood supply as did occur in some breast reduction procedures in the past.

The disadvantage of what was free nipple grafts are relatively straight forward and quick to perform from the surgeon’s point of view the downside of this technique for the patient is that the scarring around the nipple can often be very unattractive.

This is because the nipple will take as a skin graft and take maybe very patchy leaving to different areas pigmentation and scarring within the nipple.

The other main disadvantage is that the nipple will remain numb when normally very little sensation in it as has been completely detached from the body dividing its nerve attachments.

Generally, free nipple grafts breast reduction techniques are now rarely used in the United Kingdom at present.

With the advancing new pedicle techniques which are more reliable such as the inferior and supramedial techniques breast reductions keeping the blood supply to the nerves supply to the nipple intact are becoming much more common and in my opinion gives the best results following surgery.

In my opinion, breast reduction surgery that involves free nipple graft should have been used only very infrequently.

I myself I’m not using this technique for over 10 years and treat over a hundred people for breast reductions per year.

The reason I feel free nipple grafting should not be used in most patients is that the nipple would be numb following surgery and also the scarring around and within the nipple can be very unsightly.

For very large breast reductions of over 2 kilograms per side I might consider a breast reduction procedure. This type of breast reductions in people with a BMI are very unusual and as I’ve discussed in previous blog posts breast surgery should only really be performed of people in my opinion with a BMI of under 30.

Of 30 or below. The reason for this is that studies have shown significant increase in the complication rate following breast reduction surgery in people with a larger body mass index.

Having breasts that are not in proportion to your physique causes significant problems including wearing clothing and the way they look.

The main problems with large breasts are:

1. Neck and shoulder ache.

2. Cutting in of a bra strap in their shoulders.

3. Infections in the fold underneath the breast where the skin surfaces rub together.

Many  younger people in their 20′s with large breasts have not developed these symptoms yet, however, in my experience nearly all of the patients over the age of 35 who are considering breast reduction do so because they have significant problems from the 3 areas mentioned above.

In addition they may find it very difficult to perform sporting activities such as running and maybe embarrassed wearing close fitting clothing such as in the gym.

The aim of the breast reduction is to achieve a breast size and shape which is more in proportion to the overall body.   This will reduce the symptoms of neck and back pain, infection under the breast and the discomfort from the bra and the shoulder area.

It also has the additional benefit of improving the patient’s ability to perform sporting activities.

Overall, studies have shown that breast reduction is one of the most popular procedures performed by plastic surgery and is associated with an almost anti-paralleled patient’s satisfaction rate.

Many surgeons would not use the vertical scar technique which I have discussed in previous blogs for breast reductions which involved removing more than 500 grams from each breast.

The reason for this is that the scar between the nipple and the fold underneath the breast is likely to be too long and will lead to a bottoming out effect. A bottom out effect occurs when the distance between the nipple and the fold beneath the breast is too long giving the breast a low looking position with a high nipple.

In these cases many surgeons believed that the skin from the lower part of the breast also needs to be removed to shorten the distance between the nipple and the fold under the breast.

In my practice, I would consider a short transverse scar technique for breast reductions under 500 grams and a longer scar technique for breast reductions between 500 grams and 1 kilogram.

The benefits of the full anchor pattern reduction are that both elements of the skin excess are dealt with.

The anchor pattern is devised by an American surgeon who is Wise some years ago and in some cases is known as the Wise Pattern Breast Reduction.

A pedicle is the plastic surgical term for a bridge of tissue which connects one area of skin to another.

In breast reduction surgery, the pedicle is used to bring blood and nerve supply to the nipple when the tissue around it has been removed.

The pedicle (bridge of tissue connecting the nipple) can lie in any direction. The direction in which it lies gives rise to the term in which it is known in plastic surgical field.

The common orientations of the pedicle are from below (inferior pedicle), from above (superior pedicle), from the inner aspect of the breast (medial pedicle), and from the outer part of the breast (lateral pedicle).

The most common types of pedicle used in the United Kingdom are inferior pedicle technique and a pedicle coming from approximately the 10 o’clock position if you were looking at your left breast from the front and the 2 o’clock position if you are looking at the right breast on the front.

Both of these options give good results with reliable blood supply to the nipple.

In my practice, I favor a superior-medial pedicle technique as I feel this gives a better long-lasting breast shape as the bulk of the tissue remains in the upper rather than the lower part of the breast.

However, both techniques are safe and effective and it may be worthwhile discussing which your surgeon plans to use during your preoperative consultation.

There’s really no upper limit to the weight that can be removed in a breast reduction and operation. In most cases, the average weight removed will be between 400 and 800 grams of tissue.

Over 800 grams comprises per breast for a larger breast reduction and over 1.5 kilograms per breast classifies as a very large breast reduction.

The technique however will vary between the size of the breast, the general rule is that the techniques which involve more scarring would be more suitable for reducing the larger breast.

I would discuss this various techniques in forth coming blog posts.

However, it’s important to be remind that breast reduction is one of the most successful plastic surgical operations and offers a real benefit to people who suffer from neck and backache associated with large breasts which I often tell the patients that it’s rather like carrying two bags of sugar around your neck permanently.