Restarting breastfeeding?

[Kanitawa]

I breastfed for 3 years and stopped 1 year ago. My breasts have been uneven ever since. I spoke to the GP who promised they’d go back to normal but they haven’t. I cry a lot because they’re visibly uneven and I can’t afford plastic surgery.

My friend suggested could I start my milk production again and pump exclusively on the smaller breast to try to even up the size? Is that a mad idea?

(sorry if TMI) I gave it a go and I produced clear greasy liquid from both nipples, the larger breast had what looked like thick milk mixed in. So maybe that breast hasn’t got rid of its milk producing glands and that’s why it hasn’t gone back to normal size?

Is it worrying that my nipples are still producing a whole year later? Do you think I could restart milk production and would that even up my breasts??

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this OP, but that is not a long term solution, and you must recognise this yourself - I wouldn't call it mad, but it certainly says how desperate you must be.

It took ages for my milk to dry up completely when I stopped BF, and I could still get the same liquid that you are talking about for an absolute age after I'd stopped.

Have you been back to your GP recently? I think I would go back and tell hem how it is effecting you mentally and physically and take it from there.

Does your friend have experience in this area?

No my friend formula fed her baby. She just suggested it as a last resort crazy idea because I’m so distressed. I’ve seen my GP, all I got was a shrug and told that’s the price of breastfeeding. If women lose a breast after cancer the NHS reconstructs it because they recognise how it affects women mentally when they don’t have two breasts. But my breasts are massively uneven and I’m affected the same way but they won’t help me.

Bless you, but this is a crazy idea. Most people have one breast bigger than the other ( usually the left, I don't know why) Breast feeding certainly increased the difference for me. Things always seem more noticeable to you, I'm sure no one notices this about me or you.

Did you tell the GP the mental impact this is having? The NHS used to do plastic surgery if it was causing mental distress

I did tell the GP. All I got was a shrug and a lecture about NHS budgets. Well if it doesn’t matter that someone only has one complete breast, then why are they paying to reconstruct cancer survivors breasts? It’s the same thing.

@Kanitawa

I did tell the GP. All I got was a shrug and a lecture about NHS budgets. Well if it doesn’t matter that someone only has one complete breast, then why are they paying to reconstruct cancer survivors breasts? It’s the same thing.

I'm sorry you are feeling like this. However they are not the same thing and to suggest so is offensive

It is the same thing. I have one breast. The other is basically just a flat nipple. The cause of the disfigurement is irrelevant - it’s the same disfigurement.

What is the size difference ? I would say I have a least two two cup sizes difference in my breasts, I think one cup size difference is very common before breast feeding and especially after.

I had breast implants in the past ( when I was age 20- 33, so per my babies) and I can't recommend. They feel heavy, they are a worry as if you are lucky and nothing happens like rupture or incapsulation then you will get 10 years out of them then need it doing again. They won't just do one side and there is a risk with different size breasts that you will still look different as the natural breast tissue will change the look and the size / weight of the implant will affect the hang.

I understand being unhappy but actually implants don't fix yourself confidence. I deeply regretted mine and they made me ill, but I had little money to get them removed so had to save for a few years. Removal is more cost than the implant op.

Sorry should say implants pre DC

Tbh I’d be happy having the big breast reduced. I don’t care if they’re both tiny just as long as they’re the same. They were tiny before - one grew when i breastfed and the other didn’t.

Well look into it, you can find a private surgeon. I had to for my implants removal because I wasn't having them replaced it wasn't done by the same sort of place you get the put in. I had it done at my local hospital in the private wing there. I paid around £6,000 and found my surgeon via looking in private hospital websites like Bupa, Nuffield (in my area). The person I used specialised in breast reconstruction after cancer, but was happy to do any breast work privately. As I said I had to save up for a few years before I found a surgeon, but a consultation would be the best place to start for you to know what is possible. Might cost you £150 they would let you know upfront.

I can’t find a private surgeon if I don’t have any money. Not everyone has spare cash to save.

Can you ask for a second opinion with another GP? I wonder if you can somehow find your NHS trust policy on plastic surgery.

@Kanitawa

It is the same thing. I have one breast. The other is basically just a flat nipple. The cause of the disfigurement is irrelevant - it’s the same disfigurement.

It really isn't the same thing at all. Having lopsided breasts because you fed a child cannot seriously be compared to a woman who has had part or all of her breast chopped off to try to save her life. I'm sorry you are struggling, but get some perspective and stop comparing yourself to cancer survivors.

@Kanitawa

I did tell the GP. All I got was a shrug and a lecture about NHS budgets. Well if it doesn’t matter that someone only has one complete breast, then why are they paying to reconstruct cancer survivors breasts? It’s the same thing.

I have empathy for your situation, but you have shown a complete and utter lack of empathy here.

Losing a breast/breasts and requiring reconstruction because you have had a life threatening illness, and one which has the potential to come back post surgery, is completely and utterly different to your situation of having nurtured and fed a child - never once did your fate or life hang in the balance.

That aside, echo other PPs, go and ask for a second opinion from another GP and for goodness sake, give your head a wobble whilst your at it.

I disagree. The cause of the injury is irrelevant. Regardless of whether I lost my breast to cancer, a flesh eating bug, infection, gangrene, fire, accident - the NHS would reconstruct it. But because I’ve lost mine as a result of breastfeeding somehow it doesn’t matter?

But your breast isn't lost or injured. Ffs. Any sympathy I had for you is dwindling fast.

It’s disappeared. I had two breasts. Now I have one breast and a flat nipple.

@Kanitawa

It’s disappeared. I had two breasts. Now I have one breast and a flat nipple.

It's sadly not going to be sorted on the NHS, you can pad it with an insert. I doubt anyone would notice with your clothes on, but I understand you feel self conscious. Or you can wait and try a save a small amount each month. Save £5/ £10 month, it will take a long time but it depends on if it's important to you. You might find by the time you have saved that you would prefer to spend it on something else. You might even be able to take a loan at somepoint. Circumstances change, try not to focus on it.

I did tell the GP. All I got was a shrug and a lecture about NHS budgets. Well if it doesn’t matter that someone only has one complete breast, then why are they paying to reconstruct cancer survivors breasts? It’s the same thing.

It is not the same thing and to suggest it is, is really offensive to cancer sufferers. My best friend is currently going through treatment for breast cancer, she is very, very ill and it is likely she will die. If she makes it through treatment and has reconstructive surgery, it should absolutely be done by the NHS as her suffering (both mental and physical) has been extreme. I have breastfed my children for 6 years; my breasts are wrecked. But I would never, ever think that the impact of that could even compare to the suffering that women experiencing breast cancer endure.

The NHS has to draw a line somewhere, it’s not a bottomless money pit. Save your own money for surgery.

The cause of the injury is irrelevant. Regardless of whether I lost my breast to cancer, a flesh eating bug, infection, gangrene, fire, accident - the NHS would reconstruct it. But because I’ve lost mine as a result of breastfeeding somehow it doesn’t matter?

All of the examples you’ve given are of women losing breasts due to illness or injury, neither of which breastfeeding is. So it’s not irrelevant.

I have a good friend who lost her breast to cancer at 25 years old! Your situation is NOTHING like that and it's very offensive to say it is.

Breastfeeding was not going to kill you, he cancer almost killed her!

I sympathise with you OP, of course trauma to your breasts from cancer, accident or some other illness is no doubt worse, but it still doesn't take away the fact that your breasts have changed from something not really within your control (we have no way of knowing what our boobs will do after BF!) and you feel miserable about it.

I know plenty of people who have had boob jobs or reconstructive surgery for simply being unhappy with their breasts - too small, too big or uneven. I think you should go back to your GP and reinforce how unhappy it is making you. If it's affecting your mental health by worrying how your breasts look and if they are as uneven as you say then I think you should be offered something on the NHS.

The NHS has to draw a line somewhere, it’s not a bottomless money pit
The NHS regularly treats things that won’t kill you. IVF and gender reassignment just to name a couple.