I arrived at Manchester Bridgewater 1015am, just under an hour early for my 11am admission on Wednesday 1 April. I had totally misjudged the traffic on the M6 and flew there in just over an hour! I was worried there was a massive power plant opposite the hospital at first, but it turns out it’s a massive brewery lol.

On arrival, since we were so early we were asked to wait in the waiting area for the nurse to admit me. We decided to go upstairs to the restaurant so my hubby could have some tea and breakfast (which killed me considering I wasn’t allowed anything!) but he was having a bit of a bad day and he didn’t feel too well!

The nurse came and found us in the restaurant at 1030 and said it was time to be admitted, so she showed me to my private cubicle and filled in the necessary forms, checked my oxygen levels and blood pressure. Gave me my sexy gown and paper knickers! It was a private cubicle, not a room. The walls either side were concrete but at the front was a big curtain so you could see and hear what was going on if you wanted to. There was a small TV, but I never used it, I was on my phone/ipad most of the time.

The nurse informed me that Frati was running (fashionably) 2 hours late and to expect a few hours before I go down, but to change into my gown ready as she didn’t know when Frati would come up and draw on me. I was 6th on the list and the second lady had just gone down. Apparently that day he was operating on 11 girls, doing both BAs and rhinos.

The anaesthetist came in and had a quick chat, told me where he was putting the cannula in and again asked if I was allergic to anything. He was lovely.

Frati eventually came in to draw on me at 2.30pm and told me I was next, in about 40 minutes.

The nurse came to get me at 3.15pm and wheeled me down to theatre on my bed. I remember being in a small white room speaking to the nurse and anaesthetist about the op and asking random questions. The nurse said I was having monster implants which made me chuckle lol. They also put some sort of arm rests on my bed which kind of looked like I was going to be laid out like Jesus pegged to a cross when having the surgery lol.

They put an oxygen mask on me and told me to take some deep breaths, I was a bit gutted that it wasn’t gas and air cos that stuff is the dogs haha, but I never felt a thing when the cannula went in. I am a bit weird as I do actually like to watch if people stick needles in me lol. He then said I would feel some pressure and to try and count to ten. I felt the anaesthetic going into my veins and it felt like a weird pressure, like someone sat on my arm, I don’t remember even starting to count and I was out.

I woke up in recovery (no idea what time) and was told everything went well and I was going to be wheeled back to my quarters lol. I was back in my room by 5pm when the nurse asked if I wanted some tea and toast. It was the best tea and toast I’d ever eaten lol!!

I was just lying there, looking at these plastic covered mountains on my chest, in absolutely no pain, such a strange feeling, just like a little man was sat on my chest! However I did feel like I had a few too many when I waddled to the loo as the anaesthetic made me feel quite drunk, but not at all sick. The nurses later brought me the most amazing tuna and sweetcorn sandwich – and I don’t even eat sweetcorn but I could have eaten a horse and his jockey at this stage. The nurse kept bringing me water and tea which was greatly appreciated!

After a lot more waiting at about 8.15pm I was told that Frati would come and dismiss me within the next 20 minutes. We all had to wait for him to finish operating before he could come and see all the girls. 30 minutes later I heard Frati on the ward talking to all the girls, and he eventually got to me at 9.30pm and told me the op went well, he fitted in the 650s and they looked great and said he was very happy. I was so emotional he went for a handshake but I just grabbed him and gave him a big hug haha – I almost cried – what a baby!

Now I had to wait for the drains and cannula to come out! I have no idea what took the nurses so long, but they didn’t get to me until 10.40pm! She checked my blood pressure and oxygen levels, asked how I was feeling (I felt great!) and then she started on the dreaded drains.

I was worried about the drains coming out but the nurse peeling off the strapping to get to the drains is worse than the actual drains coming out, it was like a long, slow wax! The drains came out so quickly and it was like a bee sting kind feeling, which lasted all but a second – I was so relieved. I didn’t even feel the cannula coming out.

About 10 minutes later I started to dress and was on my way down to meet my hubby in reception at 11.10pm.

I can’t fault the nurses and staff, I was very well looked after!