A big thank you to one of our patients who has taken the time to write her patient story for us for patients to read. Thank you again Caroline.
I had an extended abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) at the Sulis hospital Bath by Dr Anthony MacQuillan in the autumn of 2023.
Anthony was personally recommended by someone I trust and I had seen the results of his work.
I don’t feel I am the typical client for someone like Anthony. But perhaps that’s my point; because maybe there is no ‘typical client’. We are all different and each to be respected for our life choices.
I was 60 years old at the time of my surgery and had given birth naturally to four big babies. My skin didn’t stretch well and I was left with a marked overhang of my tummy and a lot of stretch marks. Fluctuations in weight didn’t help this. The overhang became sore in warm weather and I felt I couldn’t wear certain things because the overhang was very visible through thinner fabrics. The loose skin made it difficult to run because it ‘slapped’ skin on skin. This was embarrassing.
I had a large divarification (separation of abdominal muscles that occurs in some pregnancies). This was still present at the time of my surgery more than 30 years after the birth of my last child. I am a nature loving outdoor person who doesn’t even wear makeup!
I have had low self confidence and self esteem and a background of severe early life trauma and lifelong mental health struggles. I have often felt ‘judged’ when seeking treatment for mental health related problems.
Having the first consultation for something so very personal was a big hurdle for me but I did it and I was treated with the utmost respect and dignity from start to finish by Anthony and the rest of his team. Daniel, the anaesthetist he works with was particularly good. I also found his nurse Michele and secretary Amanda very helpful.
I had my surgery about 5 months after my first Consultation with Anthony arranged at a time to suit me. I was lucky to have a supportive sister and daughters.
Anthony explained the risks very clearly to me and I did think long and hard about having the surgery. It was no small decision for me to go ahead. Of course all risks must be transparent and I am the kind of person who considers these things carefully. It was reassuring to me that Anthony had a career history in nerve trauma as I know this requires excellent and very precise surgical skills which can only be beneficial for this procedure.
I knew it would be a long road to recovery. Anthony advised me that everything is healed to the point that you won’t injure yourself whatever you do after 6 weeks or so in terms of exercise or lifting. He also advised that full healing takes 12 to 18 months. Now, coming up for a year later I feel close to that end goal. The results are very good and clearly successful. It was obvious very quickly that the surgery had gone well. I couldn’t believe the difference immediately post surgery and was delighted as time went on and the swelling reduced.
The post op follow up was superb and Anthony knew I was anxious about certain aspects of recovery due to previous life events and he always saw me without question when I felt any concern during the healing process.
My BMI is 27 and I am happy with that. Six weeks post surgery I was healing well and I simply let my body tell me what I could do. I returned to cold water swimming in the winter of 2023. By Spring 2024 I was able to cycle 100km in one day again. I was able to return to hill walking and many other fairly extreme outdoor activities by the Spring. I back packed around Scandinavia with a tent in June 2024.
The difference to my comfort and self confidence is immeasurable. Today, my body feels completely healed although I am still aware that my abdominal muscles are retraining after more than 30 years! I have a little residual swelling at the tops of my legs where the lymphatic drainage is adjusting but I knew that could take 12 to 18 months to resolve completely and I see an improvement week on week. I have absolutely no pain anymore and only very slight numbness in some areas and that is continuing to improve.
I can walk in hot weather without getting sore. I can wear what I choose with confidence now.
I am absolutely delighted with the results. But most of all I am delighted with the outcome for me and my personal growth. It was empowering for me to have this surgery done. I didn’t do this for anyone else. I did it for me. It was a part of my lifelong journey and taking this step after many years of counselling and personal difficulties was both healing and liberating.
Caroline
