I was asked to interpret Tagliacozzi's famous quote during my interview for the Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery program. I chose to tell a story to illustrate my point.

It was the story of one of my many breast reconstruction patients. I would see the patient the night before and run through the details of their operation with them. This particular patient was a grandmother in her 60's, and she was about to have a 6 hour operation to give her a breast as she'd had a mastectomy. After 45 minutes of explaining the technical details of the operation, I could tell there was still something on her mind.

"Doctor, do you think I'm silly going through this big operation to get a breast at my age?" she said.

She needed permission to do something so she could feel good about herself again.

In her case, it's not about a breast reconstruction .

It's about not having to wear a bothersome prosthesis in her bra or go flat chested.

It's about not being reminded every day that she had breast cancer.

And it's about feeling feminine again.

- Dr Wendy Wong