- Title: My Breasts Are Too Big
- Date: 11th August 2004
- Summary: This documentary follows three women opting for breast reductions and features their intimate journeys together with graphic footage of their operations. The film highlights the complicated relationship women have with their bodies and the marked increase in young, attractive women having cosmetic surgery with potentially hazardous side-effects. For some, the decision to have five hours of major breast surgery is driven by psychological issues; for others it is to remove the tough physical challenge of large, heavy breasts - which can be debilitating and painful. In a mammary-fixated world of Page Three and pumped-up celebrity chests, it is surprising to see young women tortured by breasts that are 'too big'. Holly, a nineteen-year-old medical student, has model looks but suffers from crippling self-consciousness due to her 34E breasts. She can't bear to see herself naked in a mirror, but her breasts are too small to qualify for a reduction on the NHS. Holly has been saving since she was sixteen and now has £5,000 to pay for them to be reduced privately. As a secretary for a breast cancer surgeon, Rebecca, 24 and size 36G, is fully aware of the risks involved with such an invasive procedure, but is willing to put her life on the line for a flatter chest. "They look horrific, like cows udders, just hanging there - they are the first thing people notice when I walk into a room." Many women enjoy a renewed sense of self-esteem post-surgery. However, the potential side-effects include scarring, permanent nipple damage, being unable to breast feed, and loss of sensation to the whole breast. Rebecca's fireman boyfriend, Jonny, and his friends, struggle to understand why she is taking such drastic measures. Rebecca's surgery doesn't go smoothly, and her lung collapses after the operation. It takes her weeks to recover, and while her life is transformed by the end result, Rebecca's journey is a harrowing and emotional roller coaster for her and her fiancé? Lindie, 28 and 36F, is considering her second breast reduction. She had her first at the age of 16, but her breasts are now even bigger than before. She suffers pains in her back, bra grooves in her shoulders and posture problems from being over-endowed. Can diet and exercise reduce the size of her breasts or will she have to face surgery again? We also meet Eileen Bradbury, a clinical psychologist who works with people undergoing cosmetic surgery as well as counselling patients when such operations go wrong. Ironically, it is Holly - the girl who looked like she needed the operation least - who emerges a new person. Her confidence increases, shyness evaporates and for the first time she looks in the mirror and loves what she sees.
- Description:Documentary following three women who have opted to have surgery to reduce their breast size. Looks at ther reasons and feelings, and also the hazards of cosmetic surgery.
- Broadcaster:Channel 4
- Collection: Channel 4
- Genre:Documentary and Factual
- Producer:Betty TV Ltd.
- Programme Episode:Episode 1
- Transmission Date:11/08/2004
- Rights:Worldwide
- Decade: 2000s