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General health

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Original poster

Breast reduction due to back problems

21 replies

greencybermummy · 07/09/2011 10:24

Has anyone had this done?

Am currently getting back probs more frequently than I would like. Have always had big chest - have started to consider that maybe I need to reduce size of boobs to help back for the rest of my life. I am not quite 40 yet so hopefully have many years ahead of me. Have 2 children 7 and 3 and not planning anymore.

Anyone been there, done that? I guess 1st step is to go to GP to discuss and find out if local PCT would consider me for surgery.

Massive decision though.

OP posts:

RumourOfAHurricane · 08/09/2011 22:01

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avoider · 09/09/2011 00:12

shine on -do you know what the criteria is for getting help on the NHS?

RumourOfAHurricane · 09/09/2011 20:05

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ditavonteesed · 09/09/2011 20:08

I had it doen as well, I was a size 10 and had HH breasts, are a dd now which is so much better. it is a major op and recovery is quite a long time but it was the best thing I ever did. I also just went to the gp, expected to have fight on my hands but they just referred me, was about 6 months from refferal to op.
I havent lost any sensation and scarring is barely visible excpet for my creepily perfectly circlular nipples.

avoider · 10/09/2011 00:24

Thank you.

chipmonkey · 10/09/2011 01:26

dh's cousin had it done and was very happy afterwards. She was actually developing an abnormal curvature to her spine and was in a lot of pain but has not looked back since the op.

jasper · 10/09/2011 01:31

two women in my family have had it done and are very pleased with the results.
To be honest, both were quite overweight and i was surprised the NHS was ok about paying for it.
ANother relative is considering it but she is fat too and will not get it done till (if) she loses weight.

Are you slim everywhere but your boobs?

jasper · 10/09/2011 01:32

shineonn, do you mind me asking, were you slim apart from your boobs?

RumourOfAHurricane · 10/09/2011 14:30

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jasper · 10/09/2011 14:34

shineon, ah, right, it does make sense, thanks.
All of me is too big for my frame at the moment

Tyniclogs · 10/09/2011 21:36

Hello. I had a breast reduction privately 4 weeks ago. I had expected to get it done on the NHS but my PCT have imposed a strict criteria of having a BMI of 23. I am a size 14/16, 5'6'' and had size 36 JJ boobs which were resting 39cms from my collar bone (nipple should be about 21cms!) I was referred by my GP but my appointment with the NHS consultant was cancelled. I then found the same consultant and paid to see him privately and he confirmed I'd been rejected from even the inital consutation due to my BMI. I have always weighed heavy and the consultant agreed that I was an ideal candidate for the op and it would be physically impossible for me to obtain the BMI needed (I'd have to lose 2.5stone). After going away and losing a stone through diet and excercise I admitted defeat and decided to go private with the same NHS consultant. I am now a 36 C and am really happy with the outcome but its still early days and its a been a big operation to recover from (especially as I have very little childcare and 2 energetic boys 5 and 2) add to that back ache and I've been wiped out. I found the worst part the recovery from the aenesthetic and I felt quite ill after the op, it affects everyone differently. The wounds have healed well apart from a small infection which has started today, I've been to the hospital and am now taking anti biotics, I'm feeling pretty run down.

I can see that once healed I will feel amazing especially whenI can get back to exercise but have to keep telling myself what a big operation it has been. The need to rest lots, eat well and drink plenty of water is essential. I have lost 5lbs (2kg) off my chest and can now breath better and walk upright. Its a very debilitating thing and the fact the NHS are clamping down on the ops is awful. Its around £5-7k to have the operation privately.

Hope this has been of help.

avoider · 11/09/2011 11:39

Tyniclogs that's really helpful - thank you.

SnoozleDoozle · 13/09/2011 16:56

I have also had breast reduction surgery, and I too would say it was the best thing I ever did. I was a 32GG, and after surgery I was around a 32DD, which to me was tiny. The scarring is barely noticeable.

The one thing I would make others aware of is that over time, your breasts can grow back again! I am now back to around the same size that I was pre-surgery, but even though I am the same size, I am nowhere near as uncomfortable - they are not as 'heavy' if you see what I mean. I had my surgery in my early 20s and am now in my mid 30s. I have not really gained any weight elsewhere in the past 15 years. My sister has also had the surgery, and has also gradually got bigger again, again without other weight gain - her consultant told her it is normal, and that some women end up having it done repeatedly. But like me, she finds that although she is big again, she is not in as much discomfort, so it was still worth it.

The refusing to operate due to BMI is a tricky one - my BMI was much higher pre-surgery because the bloody things weighed so much! Added to that, I couldn't exercise properly because 15 years ago there wasn't a sports bra on the market that fitted me. I was about a stone lighter after surgery.....

Tyniclogs · 13/09/2011 22:53

Just wanted to update for anyone thinking of having this operation...I had blood tests taken to see if I had an infection and they came back negative. I have been quite ill with 'mastitis' symtoms, very achey, fluey. I was given anti biotoics which were a heavy dose and made me feel sick so luckily I don't have to take them again. I started to feel ill on Saturday and have been in bed since then (hard to do with a 4 and 2 year old! Husband has had to 'work' from home).

Bascially the outcome has been that I've overdone it in the first few weeks and my body is telling me so, I've been run down and not drinking enough water and eating well enough and so my body has decided to complain. Anyone thinking of having this operation reallys needs to take it easy and get as much rest in the first 6 weeks in order to avoid feeling ill.

Am really hoping it won't be long before I really feel the benefit!

beachyhead · 13/09/2011 23:08

I had it done in 2009 and reduced from what I thought was a gg cup. The criteria seemed to be over 500g from each boob. The GP and the consultant could see I had back problems, had slipped my disc in 2008, and they seemed keen for me to have it done.

It has been better than I imagined, being able to wear strapless swimming cossies and dresses again. Recovery was over 2 weeks where I couldn't drive. It was worse than a C section, I thought (had three of those!)

Am now still an F cup, but perkier, lighter.....

Nipples are a bit sticky outey - just looks like I'm cold all the time

avoider · 13/09/2011 23:18

You are all giving me hope - although I can't imagine how i can possibly get down to a bmi of 23. When I size 8 I weigh at least 9.5 stone (quite sure my breasts are a stone of this). I'm a size 18 at the moment. Think I could cope with sticky out nipples - better than big saggy things, with one noticeably bigger than the other. Will be saving up now.

Tyniclogs · 14/09/2011 16:50

Ah yes Avoider...mine were totally uneven, one massive and the other just huge, my nipples pointed north to the extent I could write my name in the sand without bending down. My nipples are now worringly perky and point straight out (which I don't believe they ever have!). I'm quite jealous of everyones weight loss post surgery but to be truthful mine were more windsocks after breastfeeding. I'm feeling better today and have been out in the sun with the kids, feeling like its all been worth it again.

I agree that its been worse than a C section as had two of those...but the joy of new perky puppies could be said to equal that of a baby!

Definately check it out with the GP first, most are really sympathetic.

GilbonzoTheSecretPsychoCunt · 14/09/2011 17:23

i'v ebeen told by my doctor that I should qualify for a reduction but i need to lose some weight first. so far that's going to plan but the thing I'm worried about is how long does it take before you can drive again? I live in rural France and I have to drive to get my kids to school and it would really disrupt dh's work to have to do the school runs. And I'd go stir crazy stuck here for too long!

Tyniclogs · 14/09/2011 17:58

gilbonzo...I had my op 5 weeks ago today and was driving after around 2 weeks but felt quite fragile (I'm driving in London though so I would imagine a bit busier than rural France) however I also drive an automatic so wouldn't fancy gear changes. I've not driven this week as I have overdone it...see my earlier posts of the importance of taking it easy, its a MAJOR op and your body will be shocked at first. I wish I'd taken things a lot more gently in the first few weeks as I've just spent the last week in bed feeling really ill. You really need to plan for child care and NO lifting at all for the first 6 weeks.

GilbonzoTheSecretPsychoCunt · 14/09/2011 18:05

It's such a bugger. The kids ruined my boobs () and now they'll prevent me getting it done! I run gites so the summer is out and the winter will be awful stuck in here. I'll just tell dh to suck it up and the get the little dears to school.

mrsbjunior · 10/11/2011 15:29

Hi did anyone here take the breast reduction thing any further? My GP told me there was absolutely no way the PCT where I live would pay for it as they have cut the budget for things like that.

I have had one consultation and am going to another surgeon to compare but my plan is to have one in March. Have to lose a stone first but should be doable.

Very very excited but trying not to think about the op too much. If anyone's interested in keeping in touch over this that would be great.

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