To be considering having a Breast reduction?

[CrazyMermaidHair]

I've always been very top heavy, it's always made me feel uncomfortable with unwanted gawping and comments from men and even other women but I've been lucky in that until now Ive always escaped the health problems that other large chested women have.

In the last year I've taken up running, and even though I have properly fitted sports bras, I'm finding that I'm getting horrendous pain particularly in my right shoulder at the point when my bra strap sits. I also have grooves in my shoulders from the straps. They are also heavy and even now it feels like I've got two large bags of sugar strapped to my chest. In the summer I get rashes underneath them. They look disgusting as well, like two huge lumps of flab that sag under my arms when I'm not wearing a bra.

I'm a 34 HH and have tried losing weight, but all that happens is that my back size goes down but the cup stays enormous. I think now I just want them gone. I know it's a big operation but I don't really care. I don't even know how to go about it? Would it be done on the NHS?

AIBU to be even considering it?

[Summerwood1]

I had mine reduced 2 years ago on the NHS, I was a 9st 12 but my boobs were huge and without a bra hung down to my belly button. The doctor referred me,you first have to go for an appointment to see if you meet the criteria which I did e.g size of boobs compared to the rest of your body. I had them reduced about 5 months after visiting the doctor. Every day I am so great full that I was able to have it down,it has had a huge affect on the quality of life as they were so big and heavy. I was amazed at how quick they healed.

[Lopsidale]

I feel your pain (to a point). After having my ds my boobs grew so much. I was a 32c and now .. well a lot bigger! Not only are they ugly (all saggy and gross looking) but because I work in an extremely physical job they hurt! I really want to get mine reduced but can't afford the funds.
YANBU, they're a complete pain in the arse!

[CrazyMermaidHair]

Will the NHS do it then? I assumed I'd have to go private.

[FindoGask]

I had mine reduced 10 years ago. I could have had it done on the NHS as I did qualify (a GP needs to decide whether to refer you) but I decided to go privately as there was an 18 month waiting list.

But it's not an easy decision to make and not always a straightforward procedure. The healing time is lengthy and the scarring can be significant, though does usually fade. I would never encourage anyone to go for this or any other non-essential medical procedure, obviously the decision needs to be yours, but I can say that I'm glad I did.

Things to consider: I had mine done before children and therefore struggled to breastfeed my first child though did manage to breastfeed my second. Have you had children yet or do you want to?

Also - warning! They can grow back over the years: I have heard of this happening more than once. Not to me yet, though.

[justawonderin]

I had it done (I was living abroad so can't answer re NHS) and it was the BEST THING I've ever done!

I had lots of back and neck problems because of them and I didn't realize until the day after the op what it felt like not to have pain in my back or neck because I'd grown so used to it.

I was a size 10 (5'6") with 32GG bras.

The only things I'd suggest considering is a) whether you want any (more) children and if you want to breastfeed, because that's not guaranteed after and b) if you have young children who need carrying it might make recover a little longer.

I think that it should be offered free to any woman who wants one (nobody should be forced obviously!!) because the benefits are incredible - even only psychologically not having men stare at your nipples or women making snide comments about them/your intent to steal their man/whatever crap(!) is incredible. I honestly didn't know people looked others in the eyes all the time until after this because so many stared at my breasts (which were ALWAYS under wraps because I hated the attention).

[Bunbaker]

One of my friends had a reduction, but they have grown back. Not what you want to hear.

[MouldyPeach]

Had mine on the nhs, less than 6months from seeing gp to op. They have grown, I went from H to C cup and am now an E (but bigger right now as preggo). I don't know if they'll do it for me a second time, probably not.
They look much better post op - and that seems to be the general consensus imo - but the lightness and relief is the best thing. And finally being able to buy pretty & cheaper bras easily!
I managed to breast feed but it was the biggest consideration, I accepted that I might not be able to and was fortunate enough to be able to although I do think there was a difference in my milk pre and post op (was never able to freeze post op milk, it would defrost sour 😳 ).

[Gruntfuttock]

I have always wanted a breast reduction (well both of them tbh ) but have never been able to afford it and now I'm over 60 I have resigned myself to the fact that it's never going to happen. I would also worry about any long term effects of anaesthesia now I'm older and not least, the possiblility that they would grow back. I was horrified when I read how common it is for them to grow back.

[CrazyMermaidHair]

I don't have children, but I dread to think how big they'd get if I ever did get pregnant.

Re the comments from men. I actually find other women to be much worse, they seem to think they have a right to pass comment on your breast size.

If I thought there was a way I could shrink them down naturally I would.

[MouldyPeach]

Assuming you are not overweight there is no natural way. Sorry you've had comments from women, it's only because of how insecure they feel because of our stupid culture making big breasts god, is good to see you've only had supportive comments on here so far

[Anotherusername1]

YANBU - I am sure you will be healthier and happier with smaller breasts. Much better for your back/neck and looks better too. In my view this should always be done on the NHS. I don't think it's a non-essential procedure at all, it's for your physical health. I also don't think it's for a GP to decide, they should refer to the consultant and let the expert make the decision whether it is warranted or not. I'd go back to the GP and insist on a referral.

And if you like running, smaller is definitely better

[Twerking9to5]

I had a reduction when I was 16, that was the earliest I was allowed and I've never looked back. People often can't understand why on earth you wouldn't want giant boobs, but it can be bloody awful!

As I had mine done so young they have grown, but they are a much better shape and still totally in proportion. After having mine done, both my mum and sister have followed suit!

I have 2 DCs and struggled to breastfeed successfully. However, for me, I still would have had the operation even knowing I would have trouble. It's made an enormous difference to my life. Good luck whatever you decide!

[shinynewusername]

I'd go back to the GP and insist on a referral

Sigh. GPs and breast surgeons work to the same set of local rules about who can have a breast reduction on the NHS. These are set by the local CCG (commissioning group) - the GPs and surgeons cannot decide who gets surgery. If the breast surgeon breaks these rules, the hospital doesn't get paid for the operation, so it ain't going to happen. There is no point in a GP referring a patient who doesn't fit the local criteria - all it does is waste £300 (at least) of money that could have been spent on patient care, just so the breast surgeon can tell the patient the same thing the GP did.

[Tabsicle]

I had it done and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. Health wise and body image wise I feel so much better. I went private and it cost £4k but it was worth every penny. Go for it.

[thelifeofamber]

I also don't think it's for a GP to decide, they should refer to the consultant and let the expert make the decision whether it is warranted or not. I'd go back to the GP and insist on a referral

You CANNOT insist on a referral, sorry but you just can't.

I went to the GP and I asked and there was a lot of criteria before I could be considered.

You can't just walk in and say I'd like to now be a size C ... they will reduce them a certain amount, you do not get to chose the size.

I went private.

[writingonthewall]

Google POLCE BREAST REDUCTION and you will get an idea on the criteria for NHS surgery. . They usually include a BMI under 27 and will vary from area to area.

[Truckingalong]

You won't get one on the nhs. Just pay privately. I paid £5000 3 years ago for mine. Best decision ever. It wasn't a difficult healing process and nothing like the big deal I imagined it to be. I was off painkillers within 48 hours. And I honestly don't believe that they just miraculously grow back - I think those that claim they have have really just put on weight.

[HoboMum]

I did it last year. Went from a GG to a B cup. The weirdest part was that the back pain didn't go away, I've had to have physio and now do Pilates to help retrain the muscles. I tried to get it on the NHS but was informed that no one gets it in my area nowadays. Best 5k I ever spent. For me the pain was minimal and recovery super quick. The scarring is quite bad but I don't give a monkeys. That said someone else who had an op that day had something go wrong. I think they might have lost a nipple although I'm not sure. I would have done it anyway and not regretted it in fairness.

[Katkincake]

I had mine done on the nhs back in 2001. They'd grown rapidly from early age. I was ideal weight for height and exercised well but my boobs just persisted in staying big no matter what I did.

It was ok recovery wise though painful to start with. The after effects of childbirth were worse to deal with than the reduction. Scaring is fine though can still see it slightly in places.

One thing that disappointed me when I first looked at them was that they were same shape as before, just smaller. I think I imagined pert, perfect boobs, but reality was somewhat different.

Sometimes I wish I hadn't had it done (when I put on weight and don't feel in proportion to my boobs, but that just forces me to lose any weight gain). I'm pleased I did it though, my boobs feel more me than they were before.

Grunt - it was my great aunt that encouraged to me to get them done, she'd had hers done at 68! Never too late

[Creiddylad]

I had mine done, 8 years ago. Best £4k spent ever.

I went from a 32H (when breast feeding I had been bursting out of a J cup) to a 32D. I said I still wanted to be on the big size but not droopy. There is scaring but only DH sees that and the healing was quick. Everyone thought I had lost loads of weight as I did not have to wear baggy tops.

Mine have grown a bit, I am now a 32E, but they are pert and in the right place. I do not regret the opp at all.

This is the consultant I saw. He was lovely. Richard Sainsbury

[mrsleomcgary]

Ask the question but dont be surprised if you get an outright no from the gp,given the pressure on funding it's hardly surprising things like breast reductions are barely funded on the nhs.

I understand where you're coming from though,i'm a 34HH but currently wearing a 34k as I had a baby a couple of weeks ago. Luckily my boobs are 'in proportion' with the rest of me,i'm tall and naturally a size 16 anyway so no issues with back pain etc but if I ever have the money I would get them reduced with no hesitation. because i'm so big I havent been able to breast feed either child (and it is the size thats caused the problem,dont start shouting about tounge tie etc,my nipples are double the size of my babys mouth),i'm skint so only have one bra that fits just now which I take off at night to wash. Because i'm sleeping without a bra i'm leaking everywhere at night causing a god awful itchy rash under my boobs which i'm slathering in sudocreme to treat and despite sleeping on towels probably ruining my mattress! I want nothing more than to be able to buy a bra for under a tenner with my weekly shop,just need dh to win the lottery first!

[FindoGask]

"It wasn't a difficult healing process and nothing like the big deal I imagined it to be. I was off painkillers within 48 hours. And I honestly don't believe that they just miraculously grow back - I think those that claim they have have really just put on weight."

This is a pretty irresponsible post. As I said in my own reply, I had a breast reduction and I was delighted with the results. But healing isn't always straightforward - I was only 27 when I had mine done so quite young but had a couple of complications through bad luck (a haematoma after surgery and then an infection later on). It's by no means a walk in the park and merits serious consideration of all the potential risks. As for the breasts growing back - there's nothing miraculous about it, and it does sometimes happen.

I don't see the problem with pointing out the risks of surgery/healing and the potential for a less than optimal result. I'm glad you're happy and had an easy time but that doesn't mean people shouldn't be aware it's not always like that.

[CrazyMermaidHair]

I'm not sure what the NHS criteria is around here, I sort of assumed that I'd have to go private as Im not sure that my case is extreme enough. I'm tall and I think that's why I've got away without health problems until now.

[CeridwenFoel]

Toughasoldboots

I did not have any pain and did not use the painkillers I was given. It was the general anaesthetic that effected me, I was sleepy and drowsy for days. It took me about a week to feel normal again. I had to be careful for a couple of weeks about hugging the kids, and had to tell them that I had an operation and was sore. I worse sports bras for 3 months and then had a lovely time bra shopping.