Tubular breasts ruining my life

[Bahebak]

I am 29 yrs old and I havent had a proper relationship cause ive felt so ashamed of my breasts. I always thought they are just underdeveloped as theres hardly any fat around the nipple and the areola is enlarged. They look tringular. I finally got the courage to see a private surgeon who is wonderful when i learnt that i have congential deformity.
The surgery came back as £8,660 by benelli approach and im devasted. The hospital is Welbeck hosp in London.
Is it odd of me to ask if there is a different hospital that will have a lower price ? The surgery itself is £3,200 and the rest is hosp one night stay

Sorry your having a hard time OP. Have you thought about trying therapy to help you feel happier in your own body?

It’ll be a lot cheaper than the breast augmentation so maybe worth a try first atleast?

I’m sure there are many many men out there would couldn’t give a monkies what your breasts look like.

*who

I'm sorry you're struggling with this. Not weird at all, absolutely shop around. Check out safety which needs to be the priority along with price.

I know a few people.who went abroad for surgery, might be an option? Obviously looking carefuly at reviews, recommendations etc.

Hi, I am the same. I have thought about surgery.

It’s a very specialised and complicated surgery so absolutely I would not cut corners. Fine a surgeon who specialises in tubular breasts, not just your run of the mill enlargements. You might find someone outside of London a bit more affordable?

I shall probably get flamed for this but have you spoke with your gp? It may have to go to the pct for agreement but you may be able to be seen and have it done on the NHS as its caused by a medical cause and its also impacting on your mental health.

Have you checked if the surgery means you can breastfeed in future just in case you want to? Maybe focusing on the function of breast rather than just what they look like might help?

If it’s a congenital thing are you not entitled to surgery on the NHS, Although it would likely be some time in the future given the covid situation?

Please ignore my last post. I read some more about it and it may be difficult to breast feed. I hope all goes well

www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-procedures-on-the-nhs/

This may be of use..

Hi OP, I too have this condition and had surgery 11 years ago (also at the age of 29!) after finally realising that not only was it a thing but that it could also be treated. I wish I'd known and taken action sooner as I spent so many years feeling insecure about it, having the op really changed my life!
It's worth having a few consultations and focussing on surgeons who specialise in reconstructive surgery as it's a bit more complicated than a straightforward than a regular augmentation (as you know). Can't comment on the price you've been quoted as it was a while ago but I needed areola reduction and some other bits as well and there was a real variation in prices at different clinics.
My consultant was wonderful and was connected to The Mcindoe Centre in East Grinstead but has retired, or I'd definitely recommend him!
Re breastfeeding - my doc also performed the surgery in such a way as to allow me to breastfeed but unfortunately, my breasts are so underdeveloped that they produce very little milk - have definitely had enough practice with 3dc as well

I think you should have it done in the uk, can they offer finance?. Im Usually against cosmetic ops but it’s not a nice condition to have.

Thank you i appreciate all the comments.
@Yoyoyossarian I also chose the Mcindoe centre and the surgeon specialisies in breast cancer reconstruction and tubular breasts so I know they are the best for me.
I dont need the expander thankfully but I would need the restriction released and they recommended areola reduction.
For me even if my partner liked my breasts I still wouldnt feel happy.
I read that NHS don't offer it but then it says if you have minimal breast tissue etc than they would so its confusing. But i feel I cant wait much longer.
They told me many hospitals are holding off surgery right now thats why they could only chose certain hospital.
I will ask them about when its likely Mcindoe centre will be available.

Bahebak i would still consult your Dr, you never know,it might be worth a try,or at least your Dr might know or find a good surgeon for you
As for learning to live with them and having therapy, no it wont work,
I have no idea why people might think this would make you any happier
Good luck,i hope you can find a way ,
Most cosmetic surgeons do finance now,

I think that getting nhs help does depend on the severity of your case and how helpful your gp is but yes, I would imagine there are delays with everything else going on at the moment. Could be worth a try though?
I was very happy with Mcindoe and if waiting a little longer to be treated there would help to lower the cost a little then it might be worth doing. Think they do finance as well. I managed to pay for mine in two instalments as the two main procedures were a couple of months apart - small loan for the first and credit card for the rest. Yes it did take a little while to pay back but was worth every penny in my opinion!
My previous partners at no time made me feel bad about my appearance - quite the opposite in fact, but I was so unhappy and had the surgery very much for me!
I hope it all goes well for you, OP. You're not alone!

Hi OP, no help from me other than a friend had a similar thing done on the NHS and it changed her life - surgery isn’t a quick fix or super easy but long term she is SO much happier and her GP was great. She’d been hiding how much it had made her unhappy, she’s now free of that. Hope all goes well and know that others have successfully done the same xxxx

I think you should push hard to have this corrected on the NHS. It's a congenital deformity and is having a huge impact on your life, to the degree that you've not ever had an intimate relationship. If necessary get second/third options, change GP practice, demand a psychiatric assessment: whatever it takes.

I also have this condition, so have some understanding of how hard it can be. I'm not in a position to have surgery due to other health factors, but I wish you the best of luck. xx

CCG are really tight on this sort of op though, it’s very hard to get on the NHS now.

You can google your local CCG areas policy on it to see what they say about it.

My GP once told me that a psychiatric investigation & report have to be carried out before any NHS cosmetic procedure can be approved. Don't know if that remains the case. I imagine it varies somewhat from one CCG to the next.

I really hope op can find a sympathetic doctor who understands what an impact this is having on her.