Hello everyone. I am now 15 months post dx and have had mastectomy and oophorectomy. I am ‘only’ 44 and the thought of facing the rest of my life with one breast is a bit depressing sometimes. I am a 38FF and would like to regain something of my former shape and want to explore reconstruction options.
In my hospital the plastic surgeon is a man. I just really want to talk to a woman. Does anyone recommend a NHS plastic surgeon who is female? I am prepared to travel.
I have had excellent feedback about Elaine Sassoon in Norwich. I am in Liverpool.
HI Sarah, I had a mastectomy in March 08. I live in Dewsbury,West Yorkshire and attend Dewsbury District Hospital for my treatment. My BC nurse is referring me to our female NHS plastic surgeon, Miss Austin. She is well known for her surgery skills and is very approachable so i am told. If u go onto Google and put Miss Austin’s name in as a search it brings up all her qualifications. My BC nurse says we are very lucky to have her and everyone is always very pleased with her work on them. Im only just coming up to my 3rd cycle of chemo but im chomping at the bit for my reconstruction and im hoping i can have a tummy tuck at the same time…im cultivating my spare tyre just in case!!!
It would be great to hear from someone who has had surgery done by her. It’s such a big op that I want to be really happy with the surgeon I choose. I was told at diagnosis that I had plenty of spare fat on my stomach for a breast, if I decided that I wanted it! It’s a good excuse for not losing it!!!
Elaine Sasson is another female Surgeon - she has a book out called “The Boudica Within” its a wonderfully inspiring book with lots of pictures of her work. If you google her - she has a web site elainesassoon.com/ definitely worth a look.
I had a male surgeon - he was wonderful he said to me that “I can’t give you back your breast but I can give you the shape you lost” that’s was more than I could hope for, I had mu DIEP last Nov and have not looked back since.
Thanks Clare - yes I have heard about Elaine Sassoon and got her book. It is very inspiring and the reason why I’d decide to explore my options. She does have an NHS list, but Norwich (where she works) is such a long way from Liverpool (where I live). I realise I can’t have the breast back, but shape would be fine. I didn’t know I would feel like this and thought I’d be OK with one breast. Not so.
It is great to hear from people who are happy with their surgery. Did you have long to recover? And did you need any tidy up or decide to go back for nipple? What size did you get?
Hi
I am on Elaine Sassoon’s waiting list as I live in Norwich. She is an inspiring woman! I have been on the list since 5th March and have been told it could be up to 18 weeks waiting but it will be well worth it especially as I am having a DIEP flap which means a tummy tuck too! She just asked me what I wanted-ie other boob reduced or lifted slightly as not enough tummy fat to create a matching DD!
Can’t wait for it-so good luck to all you girls out there waiting for reconstruction.
My recovery was much easier than I had anticipated after reading all the horror stories on here!! I know we are all different but the pain relief I received was amazing, I can honestly say that I was only uncomfortable rather than in pain, I had 12 wks off of work. I was careful not to lift, and yes it was a little difficult to get up without feeling your tummy pull but its all a trade off to get your boobs back. I was in hospital for 7 days post op and one week later went to a Take That concert at the O2 in London albeit a little slow but none the less was not going to let the opportunity pass me by.
I am a 34 DD and will go back for slight uplift to good side and a nipple, its taken about 5 months for my reconstructed boob to settle into a more natural position but right from the time I came out of hospital my boobs looked fab in a bra (well I say fab but it was a definite improvement on just having the one). It lovely to be able to shop and not have to think about necklines, I wore a bikini on holiday this year and to have a flat tummy again was a big confidence booster.
I still look down at my boobs and think how lucky I have been to be able to have reconstruction and be given back what BC took away.
The NHS have an 18 week target so in theory you should get your op 18 weeks from the time you go on the waiting list, make sure they put you on the list at your initial out patients appt, they are quite crafty and sometime get you to come back a second time for another appt then put you on the list.
I was told about a Miss Brain from Manchester, if I decide to go ahead with reconstruction (3 years) I think that I will look this woman up. I am in the Wigan area.
Debbie x
I can thoroughly recommend Miss Austin!
I had an immediate lat dorsi and she did a brilliant job - this is almost 5 years ago and the recon is still exactly the same size and shape as my good breast.
She’s a lovely lady too and has lots of time for you.
I had mine done in Wakefield West Yorks.
Thank you everyone. Your comments are invaluable. I have a choice here.
I didn’t know about the 18 week target, I assumed it would be longer.
You are all very helpful and I appreciate it enormously.
Sarah
x
On the same topic - anyone down in the South had a female plastic surgeon, or is Elaine Sassoon the only one south of wherever? - Norwich is still a long way from where I am although I would do it if necessary.
But I don’t really know if it’s a woman I want - what I actually want is a plastic surgeon sympathetic to me. I’m afraid I’m way oversensitive about everything, emotions so raw that at the moment I almost can’t bear to talk about the whole subject. Maybe I should just wait before I seek a recon, but maybe I’d feel so much better about life if I had one.
So, 2 questions really: anyone had a really really sensitive kind gentle sympathetic plastic surgeon in the south or south-east? and, anyone had a really nice woman p.c. in the south?