To think I *do* need a breast reduction for medical reasons?

[Questionablmouse]

I have absolutely enormous, heavy boobs. Last time I was measured (which is a couple of years ago now) I was a 36M. I'm five foot tall and while I'm overweight I used to be very active.

Now I have constant back, neck and shoulder pain so bad I was prescribed strong codiene, have stopped wearing underwired bras because even the properly fitted ones from Bravissimo were leaving my ribs in agony, and have to be extremely careful to keep underneath perfectly dry or I get sores. I can't sleep on my front without pillows under my chest and I feel like I'm suffocating on my back.

I had an appointment this morning with my GP and she was pretty dismissive, told me to exercise more to lose weight (I'm trying, but it genuinely feels impossible because I'm in so much pain even in a sports bra). I bought a bathing suit and tried swimming- my boobs escaped by the end of one lap on front of a packed pool which was incredibly embarrassing. I've lost almost two stone recently and my boobs haven't changed size at all.

I just want them gone and feel like they're smothering me! I wish private was an option but it's out of my reach unfortunately.

Bloody hell, OP. I feel for you. I’ve got absolutely beestings for breasts and your scenario sounds absolute agony.

Could you afford a private ultrasound of your breasts to find out how much is breast tissue versus fat. If a high percentage of the former, then you can prove that losing XYZ weight isn’t going to make ABC difference.

Fucks sake. Clearly not OP or you wouldn’t be 16 stone. I was feeing sorry for you but actually you need to take accountability for your health and get down to the right BMI to have safe surgery.

You need to account for drinks (milk in tea etc), butter, condiments any little “snacks”, weigh out your food don’t guess.

Have you tried weights rather than cardio for exercise? Might be easier as you can sit on weights machines to do legs and do seated weights for arms. Building muscle means you increase your metabolism which is important if you suspect you have PCOS as that can bring insulin resistance. I also like a low GI/higher protein diet - makes me feel full for longer. So I skip breakfast to help with intermittent fasting and then have a lateish brunch at say 11.15 - it is high protein so a portion of baked beans on a slice of gammon or a couple of eggs on a slice of smoked salmon or a couple of rashers of bacon. Or just a couple of hard boiled eggs. As I've had brunch I don't need lunch. Then I'll have a high protein dinner so a chicken breast or salmon steak with 2 green veg and some greek yoghurt and berries or pomegranate seeds.

@Questionablmouse this was me in my 20s. Also 5’ 0. Mine were pretty much as you’ve described yours. At that age though they weren’t yet a health issue it was more the fact that they made me extremely self conscious and the final straw was when I lost a considerable amount of weight and they were still there. To my dismay they didn’t really alter at all. To have lost any more would have made me underweight so didn’t let people gaslight you into thinking you’re eating more than you are or weight loss is the answer as it’s not!

I had my surgery done privately at 28 and fortunately was in FTW so could pay for it. Changed my life as could finally wear just normal tops like my peers.

Im sorry you’re going through this and that your doctor was so dismissive. I used ChatGPT for what your next steps could be and have pasted the below for you:

1. Request a Second Opinion within the NHS
She has the right to ask for a second opinion under the NHS.

• She can either ask her current GP to refer her to another GP or specialist for a second opinion.
• If that feels uncomfortable, she can register temporarily or permanently with another GP practice and discuss her symptoms there.
• You can do this by contacting a different GP surgery directly — they’ll usually take on new patients or provide temporary registration if she’s in the same area.

2. See a Different GP in the Same Practice
If her current GP is dismissive, she can ask to book an appointment with a different doctor in the same surgery.

• Most practices have multiple GPs, and some may be more experienced or understanding about issues like macromastia (very large breasts) and its impact on back pain, posture, or skin problems.

3. Document Symptoms Clearly
It helps to go in with:

• A list of symptoms (e.g., back, neck, shoulder pain, rashes under the breasts, restricted exercise, mental health impact, etc.).
• Notes on how long it’s been happening and how it affects daily life.

These details strengthen the case for referral to a breast clinic or plastic surgeon for assessment under the NHS.

4. Ask for an NHS Referral for Breast Reduction Assessment
If the symptoms are clearly health-related (not just cosmetic), she may be eligible for an NHS-funded breast reduction.

• Criteria vary by Integrated Care Board (ICB) (previously called CCGs).
• Usually, she’ll need to demonstrate physical symptoms and attempts at managing pain (e.g., physiotherapy, weight management if relevant, supportive bras, etc.).
• The GP can refer her to a specialist or breast clinic for evaluation.

5. Patient Advocacy and Support
If she feels dismissed or unheard:

• She can contact PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) at her local NHS trust for help resolving concerns and ensuring her health issues are taken seriously.
• NHS England and Healthwatch can also advise on how to get fair treatment and access to care.

6. Charity and Support Options
While not replacements for NHS care, organisations like:

• Breast Cancer Now (they have a helpline and resources for all breast health issues)
• Macmillan (if relevant for general support navigating healthcare)
• can help her find information and advocacy resources.

This is good advice and I’d recommend the same.

Evidence that you are struggling to exercise due to the size of your breast too.

Get any pictures of you when you were a lower weight with same size breast to evidence your breast won’t shrink with weight loss.

If you want this nhs funded, I think you need to get your BMI below 30 first.

I had a breast reduction on the NHS for medical reasons. However, at the time of the appointment, I was overweight. I am 5’3 and weighed 12st, and was told I’d need to reduce my weight for the operation. I did reduce my weight, down to 9st, and whilst my breasts did reduce somewhat, it wasn’t enough to stop the pain. They were still abnormally large for my frame.

Keep going with your weight loss, and go back for a second opinion once you’re able to prove that your breast size is not a direct result of your weight. It’s life changing, and I hope you manage to get it xx

Massive boobs here. I have just lost nearly 4 stone and my back fat has gone a far bit and my boobs have gone down but not substantially. Gone from 38J to 36HH. But the change in look is considerably. Started at 16 stone now 12 stone.
I did the first 2 stone on 800Fast and I greatly recommend it, I still follow it, then MJ on 5mg now but am considering going up to 7.5 to get the last stone off.
For boobs and belly you need to limit carbs in my mind. No bread, potatoes or rice (I do have some in moderation but limit it completely). BMI have gone from 40 to 30. I am 5ft 3. I reckon my boobs weight 10bls. I do not ache anywhere near like I did before weight loss. I also do weights most days and take a collagen supplement. I am considering a boob reduction plus tummy tuck! Want to get the next stone off.
So weight loss needs to be your first goal. Try Michael Mosley's 800Fast. When you start struggling to keep it up take the weight loss injections (they are also anti-inflammatory so will help with aches and pains.

I tried on the NHS for ten years. Met all the criteria. It even went to a voting panel. Had to go private in the end, did it on finance. I would be incredibly surprised if you managed to get one, and if you did it would not be any time soon. Fucks me off how other stuff is done on the NHS more willingly than this, but I won't go into it.

I feel you. Breast tissue is not fat, and doesn't go anywhere when you lose weight. I've lost 5 stones and have gone from 34j to 28hh, so still a bust measurement of 40 inches. Yes, this is much smaller than I was, as I have lost a lot of the fat around the breast tissue, but I think this is as small as it's going to get, now.

I also don't do wires. Have you tried molke? Step in, don't try to wrangle over your head...

But yes - go for a second opinion. And remember that a lot of surgeons don't think in cup sizes, they think in ml, as this is how they do augmentations. It may be worth doing a careful re-measure and try to work out what is fat and what is breast tissue.

Push push and keep pushing for this.

I had one for medical reasons but that was 25 years ago and I know that they have tightened the rules since then.

I was referred as my boobs were so heavy I kept getting lumps that had to be biopsied etc each time and it was at least twice a year. In the end my consultant said that the only way we could stop it happening was the surgery so he referred me. He said that the lumps were effectively scar tissue forming because of the weight, at least thats how I understood it.

It changed my life. The surgery was hard and the recovery took quite a while. I would say it was 3 months before I felt fully recovered, but it was worth it. I would recommend it to anyone who feels that they need it. And I lost just under a stone.

Ah, typo! That does make a difference. You’re still overweight, but nowhere near the same extent that your initial post implied. I think you’re still going to struggle to get a reduction on the NHS at the moment. As long as you are overweight they will use it as an excuse not to help you. You need to take all their excuses away.

Sorry I know how hard losing weight is, so not meant as a fob off (I'm also five foot with big boobs) but the majority of breasts are fat tissue. You will lose a lot of size there if you get down very skinny. You'll still always have big boobs, but the back pain will lessen massively.

Could you try mounjaro or another weight loss jab privately? It seems a big surgery to me to pay a doctor to cut out fat and breast tissue from your boobs when there's a less invasive way to do it.

Just try a swimsuit that goes all the way up to neck? I think anything water based would be good for you as running and stuff must be painful for your breasts. I do hope they refer you to surgery at least at some point soon. If weight loss doesn't help. X

It's an absolutely crap pic because all my bras are in the wash and I've shoved my arm under them but you can see the scale here. It's not explicit or anything.

I do wear molke but I'm finding the elastic is starting to give me bad pain in my ribs too.

I definitely would exercise, little and often. Start with walking. It'll help strengthen your back and core muscles (alongside others) and improve circulation and flexibility. A great low impact form of exercise to combine with a healthy diet.

@Questionablmouse I don't onow if ot migjt help but my granny was a tiny lady with an enormous bosom. She always wore a long line bra and I think that helped. She was born in 1912 so decades before the NHS, let along breast reductions.

I used to work in a private hospital and it made me so sad when women came for reductions, their lives were blighted by their breasts, often living in constant pain and unable to work. Disgusting that the NHS won’t fund this tbh. I would definitely look into finance options. I’m so sorry you’re in this situation.

It has absolutely given my friend a new lease of life. She lost several dress sizes on top and is now taking part in sports again.

It would be absolutely life changing for me to get the weight off me!

Your GP has done what they can by referring you to the funding panel. There are strict guidelines for quite a few procedures and your GP will have had to provide details of the reasons na for your referral . It can be a life changing procedure but I know that locally your BMI would have to be near normal and the panel would want some evidence of the impact I’m the problem is having on your life eg multiple surgery appointments with neck pain, osteopath or physio appointments etc. You could ask your GP what the local criteria are and work towards fulfilling them. The NHS is under strain but these guidelines for elective procedures have been in place for many years now. Your post seemed critical of your GP but they have no sway over this ; or at least they don’t in our area. There might be some scope for an appeal down the line but it may well come back with the same result. I’m very sympathetic by the way .

I'm 'only' an E cup and I suffer back ache and sores - I can't even begin to imagine what life would be like with an M cup. I hope you can find a way to get a reduction

Look up the treatment access policy for your local area as this will detail the requirements to qualify for NHS treatment and will help if you know this when you go back to GP

With a 36 back you can be pretty overweight, I am. I eat approximately 1600-1800 calories a day yet don’t loose weight, I don’t use many calories to live it seems unfortunately. I get back ache from my breasts and my dr was clear, I need a bmi of 25 to be considered for reduction surgery on the nhs, they offered to refer for weight loss injections though

Or a badly fitting bra. OP is perhaps too heavy but I’d be very surprised if beasts accounted for 6 stone.