Ms. M.H (early 40's, Japanese, has had mastectomy, and silicone implant from another clinic)
This patient had a mastectomy and a silicon implant from another clinic.
- What made you decide to have an operation at Cellport Clinic Yokohama?
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While exploring for a method of operation on reconstruction by one's own cell, I was interested in the operation done at Kyushu Central Hospital, and found out about this clinic through searching on internet.
From phone calls and e-mails, I decided to take the operation almost immediately when I received an answer that it's possible to perform the operation. (I got a response from Kyushu Central Hospital that they cannot deal with mastectomy)
- How did you feel before having the procedure, or on the day you had the procedure?
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I had enough explanations (about the progress and results to be expected), so I wasn't worried at all. I wasn't nervous either because there was no preparation needed. I visited the clinic to be hospitalized straight from my office.
It was summer then, and the shower provided was refreshing. The private room was like hotel room, and I was relaxed, feeling quite at home
The explanation before the operation, especially on the anesthesia, was more detailed than all of the three done in my past. It was so detailed that I almost became anxious, but it also helped to build the reliability of this clinic.
- Tell us about changes made in your body and feelings after having the procedure.
I couldn't sense my breast when I had the silicon implant, and there was always the sense of incongruity. Symptoms like stiff shoulders bothered me greatly and the swelling in upper arm never faded, but the operation eased down all the symptoms listed above.
Though there wasn't any discomfort, it was difficult to expect the shape of the breast after the operation, and the time of anxiety was very long.
- What did you think about the atmosphere of the clinic?
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The atmosphere of the building was bright, with elegance. There was plenty of space and time for the patient, and I was comfortable while seeing the doctor.
However, during night, the private room was disturbed by the lights from the parking lot from building beside. The noise bothered me, too. I liked the door of the private room thick and solid, but I found it too heavy for me to open and close after the surgery.
Clerk's Comments
We had the door fixed so the patient wouldn't need to strain to open the door.
- How were the attitudes of the doctors and staff?
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The hospitality of the receptionists was very impressive. The consideration from the nurses was also appreciated. Especially during the hospitalization, the frequent check-up relieved me even through the bad condition I was in.
I believe the doctors answered my questions with courtesy. I knew my case was very difficult, but I could feel his sincerity trying to help me in his best.
- Please give some advice to people who plan to have the same procedures or those who hesitate to have an operation.
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I have heard opinions from a plastic surgeon about the distortion left from the breast-sparing surgery saying that they are disappointed with the result priority given to the surgery and not the distortion following.
In my case, I was told that "Mastectomy would heal looking better than breast-sparing surgery with shape like this", thus facing breast reconstruction. But even if that is true from the doctor's perspective, a massive feeling of loss follows mastectomy. It may depend on parts, but if it's an operation that can correspond to the most distorted breast-sparing surgery, I think it is worth counseling.
