Miss Anita Hazari 2017-06-28 Person 5 5 0

I met Doctor Hazari at my consultation for a bilateral breast reduction on 31st March 2017. I had been thoroughly prepared for the meeting by attending a seminar on the procedure at the Queen Victoria Hospital. The team of nurses were sensitive, extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They were able to answer all my questions and I came away feeling well informed on all aspects of the procedure. I had been given instructions to lose weight down to a BMI of 26 to prepare me for consideration for the operation. The nurse said that a breast reduction wouldn’t solve all posture problems and pain from injury but it could help a lot. The majority of women were glad they’d had it done as it usually had very positive results. I wanted to go ahead with it now. I was impressed by Dr. Hazari’s professional manner. She was friendly and began by praising my weight loss in the 4-6 weeks leading up to the appointment. I was reassured of my eligibility for the operation. I had arrived with facts on my recent NHS appointments of x-rays, MRI scans, physiotherapy and Pilates classes, all to do with injuries relating to the disproportionate bust size and the difficulties of keeping fit with the handicap of a heavy bust. While examining me, which was done sensitively and which included preparation time with the nurse, Dr. Hazari described and demonstrated what the procedure would involve and how she and the partner surgeon would carry it out. She went into some particularities of my case and the comprehensive talk and descriptions of aftercare made me feel that I was in very capable hands. To justify the operation, the NHS specify that a minimum of 1lb has to be removed from each breast to deem it worthwhile. It was hard for me to think that the end result was of much consequence as I just wanted to be rid of the weight that had become an increasing daily burden. Dr. Hazari talked a little of a woman’s self-image of her breasts being an important part of her psychology, but since I was struggling to imagine seeing them in a positive light, I was happy to trust her to make decisions for the best outcome. Dr. Hazari’s secretary explained in a phone conversation that I’d be on the waiting list as soon as they had a recent Mammogram report. I was able to email her one straight away. That day I had the date of 17th May to have the operation. She was understanding to try and fit my son’s special needs in and my husband’s term time and therefore time to help with our son during my convalescence. The pre-op was fitted in so that the operation could go ahead. Again the team was very thorough in answering questions and everyone knowledgeable in this field of surgery. I was photographed again and all the tests done with patience and interesting talks about the operation. I came away well-informed for the operation and stay in hospital. There were pamphlets on all aspects of the surgery, physical and psychological, with helpline numbers and websites for more information. The staff conveyed confidence and a lot of respect for Dr. Hazari’s team.   17th May Operation Day The day’s procedure was explained very clearly. I met the partner surgeon who would be operating on one side, as the procedure takes 3 hrs with two surgeons, instead of 6 hrs with one. She drew in marker pen very carefully, measuring precisely, and when Dr. Hazari arrived, they discussed their plan for the op and again I was impressed with the obvious expertise of these doctors. The practicalities of being marked up like a tailoring pattern made me feel calm as I could see that the details were so intricate and well thought through, they really knew their art. Dr. Hazari then left and again I felt great trust in her. After this I was taken through the preliminaries with a nurse, very reassuring and kind. I felt rather in denial that the operation would go ahead and that I would be free of the debilitating breasts. I had thought it was my lot in life. I was taken through to theatre and instructed patiently and then was under the anaesthetic. I came round on the ward. My arms were folded across my midrift, all I could see was oodles of space! I had a peep under the dressing wrap, the old breasts were gone, in their place were tiny neat ones. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of delight. I began to benefit immediately. I was holding myself upright and square instinctively. I seemed taller. My shoulders were free and pain-free and they have felt “on holiday” ever since. The hospital staff were unfailingly professional. I was helped and cared for and had the aftercare explained and I watched them for 2 days with the smooth running of the Margaret Duncombe ward like a well-oiled machine. They all clearly highly respected the surgeons, and said I was in the best hands in the country. The surgeon on the ward round the next morning said that they had taken nearly a kilo from each side and they had made me a D cup in keeping with my height and proportions. After a week, I returned to have the tape on the scars changed. It helped not to have seen the scars until this time. The nurse reassured me that all was going well. I was able then to change the dressings myself after that at home. Over the following weeks I have been impressed that not only has the reduction been a success and my back is already easier with the new lighter torso, but that I’ve come out of it with a beautifully sculpted pair of breasts, something that I hadn’t thought possible. At the post-op check after 5 weeks, it felt like a celebration looking at the results. Dr Hazari was pleased with the healing process and told me what to do next for the scars to settle and minimize. She is happy that I don’t need to be seen again. I am very thankful for the treatment I have been given by all of the staff, but of course in particular to Dr. Hazari.