Can you tell us about your journey before this breast assessment?
Breast reduction has been something I've been considering for a long time. I get a significant amount
of back and neck pain that affects me every day.
How important do you feel good self-esteem and body confidence are? How affected are you by these
issues?
I think feeling good about yourself and your body image is very important, but it's not always easy.
Having low confidence about how you look can affect your mental health in a negative way and images
of perfection that we see in the media can make it more difficult to have a positive view of
yourself. I'm hoping that the surgery will take me a step closer to feeling more comfortable in my
own skin.
What was the scan itself like?
I was surprised at how quickly the scan was finished. It was non-invasive and conducted behind a
privacy screen. It was as painless as having your picture taken.
How would you describe seeing the image of your scans on the screen?
It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be - it gave me the opportunity to see what my body actually
looks like in 3D. The primary aim of the scan was for an assessment of my breasts, but as a bonus,
it showed me some areas where I want to lose some weight.
What difference does the 3D body scanning technology make compared to cup sizes or tape measures?
It's much more accurate. Bra measurements vary between different retailers and bra fitters, but the
scan image and numbers don't lie. I think it's a fairer way to consider each person's individual
case because the criteria takes into account your actual body proportions and the volume of your
breasts rather than relying on bra cup and back sizes, which aren't standardised.
Did staff members listen to any concerns you had?
There was plenty of time during the appointment to discuss any concerns or queries I had. My
questions were answered clearly and concisely, which made me feel reassured and confident in Body
Aspect's services.
What was the best part of your experience at Body Aspect?
The atmosphere was very calm and the staff were approachable, but the appointment was conducted in a
professional way. I felt very at ease. I didn't feel self-conscious at all - my dignity was
respected at all times.
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services offered by Body Aspect?
It was excellent. Appointment times were very flexible, there was parking right outside the building
and the appointment was a body positive experience.
Do you think there's a place for this 3D body image capture technology to be used more widely in
health services?
Absolutely - using the technology to capture information for breast assessments makes a lot of sense.
During my assessment, there was no need to have a physical exam because the scan itself captures the
information needed - this means I could be assessed with a greater degree of dignity. It would be
fantastic if there were further investments in services like these.
