A man who was left with half of his skull missing following a brutal assault is enjoying a new lease of life after having his head rebuilt - out of plastic. <br /><br />Braden Stromberg, 27, almost died after he was punched to the ground during a sickening attack on May 2 last year.<br /><br />He was left with a bleed on the brain and spent 15 days in a coma after being assaulted from behind by thug Kyle Stephenson in Bolsover, Derbys. <br /><br />Doctors had to remove the right side of his skull before he went on to make a miracle recovery which stunned medics at the time.<br /><br />But his life was put on hold after he was forced to wear a helmet to shield his unprotected brain and lived in fear a single knock to the head could kill him. <br /><br />Following a wait of over a year, Braden has now undergone pioneering surgery to reconstruct his head shape using a polycarbonate moulded to the shape of his skull. <br /><br />The grounds worker says he's looking forward to returning to work and leading a normal life again following months of being at risk of death just doing day-to-day activities.<br /><br />Braden, from Clipstone,, Mansfield, Notts., said: "It feels incredible. I'm astounded by how it looks. I've basically got my head back.<br /><br />“I've been in a limbo for 14 months waiting for a surgery date and to get back on the mend and back to work - and now I finally can. <br /><br />“Before a cupboard door left open could have ended my life. I was at risk all the time but this gives me a new lease of life. <br /><br />“It's awe-inspiring really to see that I've got my regular head shape back. I was always worried about it not looking how it did before. <br /><br />"But it’s looking pretty much the same now. <br /><br />“My mum will constantly glance over at me and look at it. She's still getting used to seeing me in my head again.<br /><br />"It gives me a sense of normality again, I can now look in the mirror and not feel self-conscious." <br /><br />Braden underwent the four hour long operation at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital on July 26 and was back at home recovering just two days later.<br /> <br />The polycarbonate plastic is held in by screws into Braden’s skull and over a hundred staples which will be removed once the skin has healed over the mould. <br /><br />He added: “Hats off to the surgeon, he did a really good job. Where the ridge of the skull there’s no joining line whatsoever. <br /><br />“I was only in hospital for two days when it should have been five. They gave me a certain hair wash to make sure it says clean. <br /><br />“They said it was a polycarbonate composite. It was supposed to be titanium originally but they decided to go for the polycarbonate. <br /><br />“I'm having the staples taking out in two days. The bone continues to grow and it grows over the polycarbonate and fixes the skull. <br /><br />“Human bodies are amazing really. <br /><br />“Apart from the side effects of the initial brain injury like dexterity and balance issues, I'm good. I'm dying to get back to the gym and work." <br /><br />Braden was attacked from behind by Stephenson, of Ilkeston, Derbys.,as he walked to the shops after work with
