Double scar method with nipple graft - Dai Davies, London, UK

Surgery Date: Winter 2002

I had been looking forward to getting chest surgery since before I’d even realised that hormones were available. It was the one thing that I knew I needed and wanted, from a really early age. After fighting for too long on the NHS, I decided to go privately and went to see Dai Davies in London. At the time, he seemed to be the most experienced surgeon and I had heard good things about his work. I got a referral from Russell Reid and less than a week later I had my first appointment with Dai Davies.

I was nervous during the consultation as I knew I would have to bare my chest, but I also knew that it would be worth it. The appointment seemed very short, he explained the method that he would prefer to use on me, which was fine, as I had already decided that I’d prefer the double scar method, then he showed me some photos of his previous work. After the consultation, I went and arranged an appointment for the actual surgery. It was for 6 weeks later. This was it, I was finally going to get it done. I was excited and nervous from then on. I remember being asked if I minded about having scars, but I couldn’t wait - I’d much prefer to have scars than breasts!

I headed to London on the Monday morning, having to run the last mile or so to get there on time, as the underground had been cancelled on the Jubilee line! I booked in and got shown to my room. I arrived at 1pm and surgery was booked for 3.30pm. I hadn’t eaten, so was starving and feeling strangely calm by that point. I changed into the gown and paper pants and read my book until they came to fetch me.

I don’t remember much, until waking up in the recovery room. I had a HUGE grin on my face, as I knew they were gone. I kept coming to and grinning at the world. I did have some extra bleeding out of my left side, but that was soon sorted out. I was in pain, but it didn’t dampen how I felt. I remember asking for some pain relief that evening and I slept well. I managed some food that evening and kept it down for a couple of hours, but at around 11pm, it came back again.

The next day, a nurse came to check my drains - this was the most nerve-wracking part for me. I knew that if they weren’t satisfied, they would keep me in and I had only just managed to get enough money for the surgery, so I couldn’t afford to stay any longer. I had also heard that it was a really uncomfortable feeling to have them taken out. Due to the bleeding after surgery, they had trouble getting the drain on the left out and my obvious nerves weren’t helping the student nurse. Eventually, she went to fetch the sister and we managed to get through it! It was a very strange feeling and quite painful, but only for a couple of seconds.

I started moving around and was able to leave at 12pm that day. I headed to my grandparents to convalesce and then had to come back to London 3 days later to get the stitches out and the dressings changed. This was the first time I got to see my new chest and it was amazing. I was so happy with the results. Although very bruised and battered, I could now see my belly button. What a sight! It took about 8 months for the area to really heal properly and everything to go to it’s finished shape. For a long time I thought I had lopsided nipples, but they sorted themselves out, I just had to be patient.