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Embarrassing Bodies, 1:10am Friday 17th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Video

Consultation: Breast Reconstruction

Dr Jessen treats a breasts cancer survivor who wants to receive an implant to replace her breast that had to be removed during treatment.

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Ihave a problem wiht my breas after a surgery





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Hi I had double mastectomy a year and half ago; they used the fat from my belly to make new breasts. I have got new nipples but I am not happy with shape of my breasts and I can’t fill a bra out even if it’s “A “cup; I have to wear small fillet to fill bra. I am very unhappy when I undress, I can’t bear to be seen without a bra. Is there anything I can have done about this? I have spoken to my surgeon who performed the operation but he will not do anything about this, even though I have stressed my dissatisfaction.





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I had my right breast removed 4years ago, and reconstruction using my back mucsel, I am still in a lot of pain in my back and my right arm is still very weak. I can not lift or unscrew jars. I have a lot of scare tissue around my nipple which is very sore, and I would like it removed, but as I have had 3opps on my breast I am worried it will make matters worse. Is there any one else with this problem?





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Hi I had a mastectomy last year in Feb 2010 on my left breast. I had reconstruction at the same time using muscle from my back and an implant. I would not recommend it as my back is really sore and tight - a year on. My implant sits very high on my chest so I am thinking of having my breast reconstructed again. I loved the way the nipple looked at the end and her breasts looked perfect. I have heard of a new reconstruction that uses fat grafting with stem cells, they use liposuction to take the fat mixture from your stomach, legs or wherever there is excess fat and then the fat is left to rest and then reinjected into the breast and left to develop over 6 months, apparantly it creates a soft breast with some sensation and you never have to have an operation again, unlike implants. I really hope to get this done. I am 36 years old and I want to put this cancer behind me and this would be perfect.





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I have also had a masectomy but I had reconstruction using back muscle and tissue, but I would not recommend it. I am struggling with my back and my reconstruction boob is much smaller than my natural boob. Has anyone else had the same as me I would really like to know how they feel and how long its going to take me to recover as my reconstructed boob is always tender ?





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I had the same procedure 10 years ago which was very painful but well worth it. As well as skin and muscle from my back I had an expander put in as my skin had lost its elasticity due to radiotherapy so my new bust size was limited. I was back to work after a month with hardly any pain but movement in my back was a little restricted for another month or two until the skin began to stretch. After a couple of years I had the expander removed and had an implant put in to make my reconstructed breast look and feel more natural and matching as much as possible to my natural breast. Mine too is a little smaller but I’m happy, I just wear padded bras to even out the shape. You didn’t say when you had you reconstruction so if its recent it just takes a little time for your body to accept your “new boob” and I’m sure your tenderness will go soon but if not you must see your consultant/GP. As far as the reconstructed breast being smaller you could, like I did, have a small implant. Hope this helps.

Thank you Susan for your comments I actually had my masectomy and reconstruction during the one procedure back in August last year which is slightly worrying to me when you say you only took a few months to recover and I am still quite young at 33. I too am back at work but I am just in regular discomfort around the back scarring and breast particularly from the bra's. I am totally over the whole breast cancer thing it does not bother me at all I just want to be able to live a normal life and not be restricted by this discomfort.

Hi am Denikah, I am 24 years old and I have a problem with my breast for over 12 years. My right breast is quite bigger than the left one,I want to have reduction surgery on the right one but I'm not sure. I was told if I do I will not be able to breast feed when I start having kids.





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Hi Denikah I finally had surgery when I was 31 years old to correct this problem and I wish I had done it sooner. It changed my life completely. The doctor explained that some women can breast feed afterwards and some may not be able to. I met a woman who was able to. Many women have trouble breastfeeding their babies even without a breast reduction so there's no guarantees either way. Go to a doctor book your appointment and get it done, seriously. You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Regards KF

Hello, I am a 18 year old girl and i am worried about my boobs not being normal like everyone else's. I am a 14A which fit good on my left but not on my right as it considerably smaller. My aeola is larger and i don't have any boob muscle underneath them. There rather pointy then round and they have stopped growing now. Also my Right boob points to the middle a little bit. It's embarrassing and i I don't like wearing bikini tops or halter neck dresses as i have to pin everything and stuff them up. Is this normal? Also i am going to a plastic specialist. Can people help me know how long it takes to recover, if it's safe etc.





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Hi, im a 16year old girl and im slightly worried about my nipples. They often crack like the skin is dry and sometimes it get's crusty. Does any one know why this happens? I can also see lots of yellowy-creamy dots just beneath the surface. Should i be worried?





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What age do you have to be before going for mamagrams? Im 18 years old and 6 months ago my mum her breast off jsut 1 (sorry cant spell the right word for it) This was all the treatment she needed. Is all i need to do is examine myself ?





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Hi, I live in the US and I'm not sure what doctors recommend in the UK for when to start mammograms, but if I remember correctly, woman should start having them in their 30's. At your age, you should be safe just giving yourself a monthly breast examination. My mother also had a mastectomy of one breast and she didn't require any chemotherapy or radiation. She had no problems after that, so we are very happy about that. Good luck to you!

Hi. I'm 19 One of my boobs are a C cup and the other is an A-B Cup. Went and seen my GP and he referred me to a plastic surgeon, I'm really worried about the surgery! Could anyone who has had a Boob job relate to this, or tell me how long it takes to recover, what i should be worried about and how long it takes to go through? PLease e-mail me. Thanks





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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