To ask about NHS funding for breast surgery?

[bluejeanswhiteshirt]

I posted on here a while ago about wanting a boob job and had a very positive response. Please don't judge me for the title of this thread as I'm sure it will stir up a lot of attention but I would like to hear people's experiences and opinions on this.

Basically I have a teenage boy's chest with tiny bulbs where my breasts should be. My left breast has zero breast tissue and my right breast is roughly 3 cups bigger (but still there is barely any breast tissue and they are tubular.

I'm not just some dumb girl who wants to look like Katie Price, my breasts are actually deformed NOT small. My mum died of breast cancer so this is a serious subject for me.

Thank you.

She agreed that there is no breast tissue whatsoever in my left breast and that the right one is also underdeveloped, making them asymmetrical. I don't know whether its a good sign that she applied for funding or whether its just standard procedure so I'm trying not to build my hopes up. She also requested a mammogram.

wootle I lost my mum to breast cancer so I'm fully aware that the NHS has more important things to deal with but if my GP agrees then why shouldn't I go ahead and see what they can offer?

YANBU, OP. Good luck

wootle do you hold the same opinion for people who have reconstructive surgery after cancer? Lots of surgeries are not life saving, many conditions impact people's self esteem and confidence and can have a devastating effect on their lives. OP is not wanting a 'boob job' because she wants bigger breasts - obviously that would be purely cosmetic and should be privately paid for.
She simply want to be the same as others who are lucky enough to have breasts that look roughly like everyone else's.

People getting birth marks removed or sticking out ears pinned back or whatever haven't got life threatening conditions either but the NHS recognises that certain things to do with appearance can seriously impact peoples lives. The doctor thinks Op is a likely candidate for help, so he must consider that her condition is impacting her life.

Thank you KurriKurri, I couldn't have put it better myself.

Read all op posts and skimmed rest, and really pleased your gp is applying for funding .

I'm a breast surgeon. In our trust you'd be eligible with a bmi below 27, and more than 2 cup sizes of difference between the 2 as well as the tubular deformity you describe.

To those slagging the op off, this is not vanity but correcting an abnormality with her breasts in how they have developed. Would you be as scathing about someone requiring corrective surgery for a club foot, for example?

You are welcome bluejeans - hope everything goes really well for you

Best of luck, OP!

What an arse you are, Wootle

I'm glad you're getting a shout at funding OP. I am very against NHS surgery for cosmetic issues but I agree you should get it.

You need to talk to your GP about putting in an Individual Funding Request to your local NHS Commissioning Group. They decide them on a case by case basis, they will normally want to be satisfied they are causing you some psychological distress.

You might want to have a Google of what your local commissionimg groups record of approving IFRs is to give you some idea of your chances of success.

Sorry, just saw x post and you've applied. Good luck!

Thanks so much everyone I was shaking like a leaf when she examined me but was relieved with the positive outcome. I'm just confused about how they decide whether to accept or reject without seeing me? Will it be based on what the GP tells them?

They decide because it's based on strict definable criteria that the gp can tell them. In our trust bmi, degree of difference in breast size and specific abnormalities. If funding is agreed your gp can refer you to a breast surgeon. Good luck, I'd be very surprised if they don't approve it based on the information you've given.

Thank you yellow that's very useful. I really hope they approve it. She said I should hear back within the next 3 weeks so fingers crossed

Josie Cunningham got hers for a similar reason to you. She had a congenital condition which meant she developed no breast tissue at all. I really loathe her, because she had her boob job for free and has done so much damage to other women needing ops for the same reason.

Yeah I really, really hate that girl with a passion and I'm worried about being compared to her if/when people find out. She also said that the NHS gave her DDs without giving her a choice which worries me as I've seen people on other forums say that they choose the size..surely this can't be true?

I'm really pleased for you, bluejeans. I've seen pictures of tubular breasts and I think it's very hard for people to understand that they are an actual deformity unless they've seen pictures. I completely understand wanting to have normal breasts.

Do you know what kind of cancer your mum had? If it was hormone receptive, it's less likely to be the genetic kind. I had hormone positive breast cancer in my twenties and this is what my oncologist said and ultimately why my family were refused genetic testing despite two of us having had breast cancer very young.

If you have one of the BRCA genes, then a preventative mastectomy and subsequent reconstruction could be the way to go. I hope you get breasts you're happy with, regardless of how you get there.

I know mine was a different situation bluejeans, but I chose the size of mine, they talk you through it all very thoroughly IME, I really don't think you need to worry about that, they will give you something appropriate to the rest of your body size and shape.

I'm really glad you plucked up the courage to see your gp, and that your concerns were taken seriously.

On another note, ive googled tubular breasts and realise that's what I have! They are really widely spaced and are long and very small. I do have something to put in a bra, but due to their unusual shape ive never ever found a bra that fits well or even comfortably really. Maybe I'm not buying the right styles but my boobs are a very strange shape. They are evenly sized though. Ugly, but even!

Bollocks. The NHS make decisions on clinical grounds and cost; it would be very rare either of them would lead to a mandatory set of double DDs. I hate the fact she always presents herself as being given a boob job on demand, when in fact there were very good reasons.

Nobody with half a brain would think you were like her. And anybody who did wouldn't have opinions worth you giving thought to.

Best of luck, so pleased for you

I'm not sure whether my mum's cancer was hormone receptive but I vaguely remember her saying something along those lines when she was diagnosed but I was only 18 and can't remember.

You've all been so lovely and supportive, thank you again. I just can't believe I actually plucked up the courage to go to the GP after all these years! She warned me that it could be a very long wait if I'm successful but I really don't mind. I will keep you all posted.

bluejeans I am not ashamed to admit that I was wrong. Up thread, I said I was torn as I think your reasoning is valid but that the NHS is too cash strapped. I googled tubular breasts and have now learned that this is a deformity that can be very extreme. Given this, I can understand why the NHS would and should fund surgery for breast deformities. I'm so glad to see your update and that your gp has taken this with the seriousness that it deserves. I wish you luck.

YANBU.

Please speak to your GP.

Are you aware that there is a condition called 'hypo plastic tubular breasts'?
Provision for plastic surgery varies from health board to health board of course, but AFAIK HPTB usually meet the criteria.

Get referred, you may have a longing waiting time before you have anything done, but do explore your options, you are very likely to not have to self-fund this from what you are saying.