We’ve had breast reductions. Ask us anything.

[Bigtitsbetty]

Following on from our epic first thread I had a breast reduction

We are a group of ladies who have breast reductions for a number of reasons and are all at different stages of recovery.

I'm sneaking back in after my sulk when my op was cancelled in December, my new date is 1st May, so I need to catch back up. Sorry for being a stroppy mare and stomping off.

Hey lovely ladies 👋🏽

I posted on the original thread about a year ago under the name MaHHoosive but deactivated my account a while back so have a new name for my latest update. It's a crappy update and I'm not sure if I can link to my original post...this might be the link?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4642493-i-had-a-breast-reduction-ama?reply=124359321&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share

So I followed up with GP a couple of weeks ago and was devastated to be told that no I won't be referred as it's deemed cosmetic surgery.

The GP I saw originally has now left the surgery but when I called the receptionist was understanding of my position and arranged a telephone appointment.

Dr was polite but simply said NHS don't fund it and suggested seeing a physio re back and neck pain and to improve my posture. Absolutely devastated and cried on and off the phone. That was the response I was expecting when I originally called up, but to have it now after having my hopes up for over a year and desperately working to achieve the BMI and get myself fit and healthy was absolutely crushing.

The most frustrating part is that I checked our trusts policy assuming it had changed since I initially saw my GP and it's word for word the same as the screenshots I took back then.

I appreciate the NHS is stretched hugely but I don't understand why the doctor kept referring to it being a cosmetic procedure and saying it CANT be done on the NHS when the publication of policies says otherwise?

I've been feeling so low since, I just have lost all hope and as much as I don't want to "cause issues" is there any right way to question the policy online re reductions Vs what my GP says to me on the phone?

I'm not even sure she fully understood my previous notes as she kept talking about giving advice on weight loss when I was very clear at previous in person appointment that it was about my bust size and how I couldn't exercise well or reduce them no matter my weight (I only mentioned weight as at the time I was heavier than usual but explained for context even at my lowest ever weight I was still an E-F cup) and he understood that as talked about ensuring well fitting bras etc.

Is there any hope for me? I'm so down and no way can I afford it privately 😔

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this @MaHHoosiveStill 😔 I completely understand how frustrating it must be. I'd like to see male doctors carrying around huge b00bs for a week to see/feel that it's a million times more than being purely "cosmetic". I can't advise on the NHS side of things, but the only way I could afford to do it privately is a 2yr, no interest, monthly payment set-up - is that a possibility?

Thank you @countrytweed my husband did look into private payment plans but most needed a substantial deposit and large repayments each month. Our rent has just been put up by £200 a month so already cut back on so much including savings as things are increasingly tight. Our car failed it's MOT at the start of the year too and we're only just catching up from that.
That said I plan to keep looking into private as a possibly as NHS doesn't look like it's possible despite previous drs encouragement.

It was actually a male Dr who initially saw me and said I'd be eligible and a female Dr most recently who waved the cosmetic card, which if youd asked me to guess I'd have said the opposite

I think what frustrates me the most is I looked into the trusts policy before going to GP originally, and since being told an outright no, it's not changed at all and as per what is online I still meet all the criteria despite GP telling me to the contrary

I just don't see how despite the pain and discomfort Ive suffered for so long and that weight loss and expensive bras don't resolve, that someone can tell me (over the phone, Ive never met this Dr) that it's "just a cosmetic issue" 😞

@MaHHoosiveStill sorry to hear what you're going through, do you have the option to see another GP? In the meantime can you take the physio just so you can prove it's not worked and tick that box on any 'we've tried everything else' form they may have to fill in.

Thank you. I was thinking of asking the surgery to clarify the policy, but do you think it might be worth speaking to another GP even though it's all the same practice?

I think after the call I was so shocked I wasn't really thinking straight so didn't take in much beyond the "no" but I'm at drs for a jab this week so will follow up on the physio and perhaps ask for a second opinion/different GP to review things.

Thanks again, I love how supportive this thread has been since day one, feels good to have people who understand first hand

In my experience, yes, it's worth persevering. I've seen a lot of GPs about the pain over the years, when I was finally referred I listed all the problems they were causing such as pain, infection, smell, carrying a bag!(!), normal daily functions they affected, some exercise being prevented (do pilates they say, but interesting if you literally can't lie flat on your front!), and all the things I'd already tried to cure the problem such as lots of physio, expensive professionally fitted bras, massages, painkillers, swimming, pilates etc. So in my experience and completely non professional opinion, I'd take the physio and build your case before seeing another doctor and present your information along with the guidelines if you have them. I don't think GPs are trying to block access to care, but are trying to solve lots of conflicting problems from all directions and if you make it easier for them by providing the information they need then they can act on it, I am trying to get better at this myself though! Happy to share any info I have, but it's past bedtime now for me so will reply tomorrow.

God that seemed really abrupt last night, apologies I was super tired and knew I should have left it till morning to reply! Sorry.

I didn't take it as abrupt at all, found it very helpful! 🙂
Tried (and told GP at first appointment) all the things you listed with the exception of the physio which was only suggested to me recently but back at surgery tomorrow and going to ask about physio, and if feeling brave, for a second opinion/clarification of our trusts policy, too

Ok so went to GP today and have an email to follow up/clarify the inconsistencies in what I've been told. Also been looking for FB groups people suggested for surgeon recommendations in case that's my only option but think I haven't found the right group as it all seems US based. Does anyone know the name of the group please 😀

Hey@MaHHoosiveStill … if you look specifically for UK breast reduction on Facebook, there are 2 groups … both are a very good info source & you’ll find every experience you need to know about there!
I never bothered with NHS … more saggy than huge 😂… there are people way more in need.
I do believe firmly that huge boobs are a massive physical impediment and the idea that women like us do it for ‘cosmetic’ reasons is laughable.
If you look in those groups there are still people being done on the NHS and it does seem entirely postcode dependant as to how many hoops people have to jump through. So don’t give up.
But also consider finance of aome sort … again people have come up with good ideas to fund on those sites & everyone out the other side will tell you it’s the best money they have ever spent!

I agree about looking at finance rather bothering with the NHS.

Also @Bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword we need. New thread

I also tried for many years nhs and unfortunately got me know where despite many issues they were causing, I done the physio had scans etc to show nothing else was wrong and was just the weight of them so I completely get your frustration on this @MaHHoosiveStill
i was also told many times as my bmi was ok (ish) that would go against me 🙄
i was fortunate to be able to do it privately when circumstances changed.

I hope everyone who has had it done recently is recovering well 🩷

question, I am now 8 weeks post op.. and I would have assumed swelling would have gone down but they are definitely bigger than when I first came out of surgery.. I’ve been comparing pictures.. im just worried they’re growing! Did anyone else notice this? Not sure if it’s because their settling or the shapes changed

@Lauraellferg I think I'll always be scared of them growing back! Whenever I'm due on they get itchy and weirdly prickly(?)... and probably a tiny bit bigger (like they used to, but obviously not to the same proportions), but whenever I get worried they're growing I turn sideways in front of a mirror and it's still such a difference it makes me feel better 😌

@Lauraellferg Same as @countrytweed i look at my new boobs all the time and worry they are growing back! Especially the one which has always been bigger. I think since I stopped wearing a bra 24/7 they have dropped slightly but that’s not necessarily a bad thing because they look flatter, not in a bad way, from the side. The side profile is very reassuring (3+ months since op).

@MaHHoosiveStill just a thought but how about seeing a private physio? They could give you a report for your GP. I have been seeing a physio for years after breaking bones in my foot and for my knackered hip but she was in full agreement that my neck and shoulder pain was from my boobs. (She has big boobs too so gets it.)

No offence to NHS physios but they don't get the in-depth training that private physios, particularly sports physios have. No amount of exercise and weight loss is going to help if our boobs are still giant!

If you are near London message me and I will give you her details x

Thank you, I'm asking GP for physio referral but happy to try private too if it helps, I'm in Kent so London recommendation would be great thank you

Just checking in to say I have 4 weeks until my op!!!

I cannot wait. All my pre op jitters are gone. DH has booked a week off work then will work from home for another week after that so he can walk our dog. Week 3 will be covered by my daughter or one of her friends as they will all be on study leave.

My boss paid me a surprise visit last week (I am field based so out and about in stores most of the time) so I got to tell her face to face. I didn't say what I was having done as she had another manager with her who has just started. To be honest when I said I had something to tell her she thought I was going to resign (we are very short staffed) and was relieved it was just post surgery recovery!

I do quite a bit of lifting and also replace shelves, build displays, that kind of thing and she said not to worry as part of my return to work she would send one of the zero hours staff to help me out for a couple of weeks.

I am so relieved as was really worried about telling work but it was a non issue really in the end.

How is everyone else doing?

@MaHHoosiveStill

https://sportsinjurieslondon.co.uk

Nicola Jackson is the physio. She is honestly brilliant and very straight talking.

Daughter had her 6 week check up on Monday. The surgeon seemed very happy with her recovery, and said unless there were any problems he could do the three month check up over the phone. She still seems to be very happy and sends me photos of her in different outfits. She also told me she could fly now. However, she now needs to find a job!

Hello all - hopefully one of you might be able to point me in the right direction!

I’ve tried a search on here but haven’t got very far - wondering if anyone has any recommendations for breast reduction surgery in South Wales? I’m slightly closer to Swansea than Cardiff but either really.

Finally will have the funds, but no idea where to start and full of nerves -would be so appreciative of a recommendation or where to find one. Easy enough to google the clinic names but no idea on reputation.

Thank you!

I think you’ll be pointed towards uk fb pages - I’ve yet to check these out myself but others have .. x

Thanks! Yes probably the first useful step… ❤️

Evening, I have 3 days to go and starting to panic a bit, I've never had a general before, I keep having realistic dreams when I actually sleep that they've been done and insert whatever went wrong here. Anyway, everything is ready to pack for my night away I think, just 2 days left at work to get through. Don't know why I'm rambling, sleep is being evasive.

@RedWineIsFine I completely understand! It will be absolutely fine, I was so worried about being put to sleep (first time) but they were so good I told them I was feeling anxious about it. It’ll be so worth it!