Hi!
I’m new to this forum so I hope I can ask this question. I have a plastic surgeon who I feel does not listen to me, she told me I ask too many questions. I had exchange surgery in March 24 and I don’t like what I see. I gave my plastic surgeon a picture of what I hoped to look like, she did not say she would be unable to get me close to what I want. I don’t look a little close to the picture. I have a 4 month follow up appointment this week and I don’t know how to tell her without getting her upset, that I would like some revisions. Depending on how the appointment goes, my next question is, can I switch to a different plastic surgeon or am I stuck with her?
Hi left23
Thanks for your post.
It sounds as though you are having a difficult time at the moment and have a number of concerns about the appearance of your breast reconstruction.
Generally, the first operation aims to create a breast shape and it is not unusual to need further surgery to improve the appearance of the reconstructed breast to give you the best possible cosmetic outcome.
You should be able to talk to your surgeon about revision surgery, but it may not be possible to achieve the exact appearance of the photograph you refer to and there may be a difference between the reconstructed breast and the remaining one. You may wish to consider talking this through with your breast care nurse, if you have one, as she can explain the possible additional procedures which could improve the appearance for you.
If you still feel unhappy following the consultation with your surgeon, you can seek a second opinion. Whilst you don’t have a legal right to a second opinion, the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, says that all doctors must ‘respect the patient’s right to seek a second opinion’. Because of this, doctors rarely refuse to arrange one. A second opinion would involve seeing another specialist surgeon who will give their opinion on your treatment.
Having a second opinion doesn’t necessarily mean that the second specialist will offer different treatment options or take over your care. If you would like the doctor who has given the second opinion to treat you, this will need to be agreed by your GP and the hospital where you had your second opinion.
Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can be helpful and our Someone Like Me service can arrange for one of our volunteers to talk to you by email or telephone. Our volunteers have had a personal experience of breast cancer and breast reconstruction and are trained to provide support.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0345 077 1893 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org,so they can then match you to your volunteer.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, (Relay UK - prefix 18001).
If you would prefer one of our nurses to call you. To do this complete this form ticking the box agreeing to a call back.
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Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes
Julie
Breast Care Nurse
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