Breast reduction - why is it so difficult to get on the NHS?

[SwirlyGates]

I have no skin in the game here, as it were, but I know 2 women who, like those in the article, paid for private operations as their heavy breasts gave them back and shoulder pain. The table lists it under "Reported cosmetic surgery procedures carried out on women in the UK" - and it's conflated with "implant removal" (a different issue I'd have thought, and a choice to get implants in the first place).

I've made a post in this forum as I think it's a feminist issue.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d2k4xz42no

I would say like some other treatments it isn't necessary medically needed.

And before I get shouted at for that comment, I'm big busted myself and always have been. I did consider surgery in my mid 20's due to back problems. I decided not to as it seemed pointless before having children (good job as they grew a lot in pregnancy). I haven't revisited the idea since as have had other more pressing medical issue which I've struggled to get treatment for.

The NHS is stretched and its just not a high priority, I'm glad they priorities more life saving treatments. My Dad had fantastic cancer treatment last year and my uncle the year before after a stroke. They literally maybe a pain in the back but physio and we'll supporting bras have helped.

Misogyny.
It is seen as cosmetic, rather than necessary to live a healthy, active life.
There is funding for trans surgeries, vasectomies, viagra, and many more questionable things.
Want to get your boobs reduced so you can actually get active, buy clothing that fits, don't squash your spine, nope, not good enough.

Breast reduction surgery might not generally be deemed 'medically necessary' but I bloody well resent NHS money being spent on trans surgery to continue their delusions instead!

One of my friends has deep grooves in her shoulders from years of wearing bras to support her heavy boobs.

Would you be happy to wait longer for breast cancer surgery so that people can have the reductions? There’s a finite number of surgeons and operating capacity. Pretty sure most of the breast surgeons would be very happy to be doing more reductions if they could but they’re swamped by cancer.

Gender affirming/reassignment surgery isn’t going to a big reason behind there being limited access to reductions because most Trusts don’t do it.

Because it’s plastic surgery?

I had very large boobs and chronic back and shoulder problems. Years of physio, pilates etc never really made any difference. But of course the NHS never paid for any of that.
In the end I paid privately and had the reduction. Best thing I ever did.
I can see both sides of the argument but it is most definitely not a cosmetic procedure in my view. My condition wasnt life threatening, it was chronic pain though and I don't see why my need to have my pain source removed is less worthy than other non life threatening procedures eg IVF. I do understand if there's a finite amount of operation slots then breast cancer should be prioritised though.

Large breasts can really impact a womans wellbeing and activity levels. If a woman can't jog or do cardio she is at risk from heart problems or putting on more weight. Heavy breasts pull on the shoulders and back.
It's not cosmetic at all.

As someone who has had a breast reduction (paid for privately) I don’t agree it should be funded on the NHS. It is very much a cosmetic issue. I’m sorry but large breasts don’t weigh that much (I went from a GG to a D and lost 2lbs of tissue) and despite having back pain myself (which hasn’t gone away) I don’t agree it’s medical.

also you want a cosmetic result and those I’ve seen who had nhs reductions did not achieve what they hoped. It’s far better to choose your surgeon and pay for what you want.

Utter bollocks. Nobody needs to jog to lose weight. I’ve just lost 2.5 stone (I’m now 8st) and absolutely have not jogged once.

You still need cardio exercise for your heart and bone density. Large breasts make it so much harder.

The NHS will happily turn a dick into an inside out windsock but if you have debilitating chronic back pain due to enormous knockers you're shit out of luck I'm afraid. Priorities...

I am here for this kind of plain speaking 😄

@Walnutslooklikebrains you worded it SO much better than me 🤣🤣🤣

I agree that this is it.

I think all those posting emoitve arguements about people with cancer and so are just being unsympathetic and not dealing with the issue.

We all know there are shortages in the NHS, and more example the dreadful state of maternity services.

If you want to make the point about shortage of funding just say that.

This is meant to be a feminist forum. Not some shitty social media point scoring cess pit.

This is the NHS "official" postion which I think has an element of guilt tripping in it.
https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast-reduction-female/

I think there is still the attitude that women are somehow meant to grin and bear it.

I think there is still a culture in the NHS that woman should be able to live with a level of pain and discomfort that wouldn't be expect of a man.

A friend of mine was repeatedly told to wait until she had children. She is now 40 and has has not had/will not have children and has had to go private

I don’t have large boobs but I know two people who suffered greatly with them. I don’t think much of those posters who seem to lack understanding of and sympathy for other women’s painful difficulties.

I think there is still a culture in the NHS that woman should be able to live with a level of pain and discomfort that wouldn't be expect of a man

Yes, this. Can you imagine a man with testes nearly to his knees and sticking out in front by 8 inches?

I'm big boobed and my shoulder bones are actually deformed from the weight of carrying them. Big deep grooves that look awful. My neck and shoulders are agony if I don't take my Naproxen. My poor mum was the same.

Although a different health issue this woman had to wait 24 years before the medical profession took her complaints about paid and heavy bleeding seriously.
Mum's 24-year wait for diagnosis with condition which makes her look pregnant - Yahoo News UK

There has not been a female Health Secretary for 19 years. Perhaps partly explains why women's health issues have a lower priority. Example the condition Naga Munchetty has highlighted from her experience.

Then she is wearing the wrong size bras, I'm a HH cup and went upto a JJ when pregnant. I don't have groves in my shoulders, most of the weight should be supported around the band in the middle. I even have bra straps falling off my shoulders sometimes.

I really don't think there is a lot of very good bra fitting services around. One of the best things my mum did when I was younger was take me to a good independent bra fitter, I now use bravissimo as not many independents left.

That is actually sound advice, as I said in my post my grew a lot during pregnancy and if I'd have had a reduction before a lot of that would have been undone and not necessarily have gone back to the size they where. So if you think you will have children it is often wise to wait or you may end up having to have more surgery.

My shoulder grooves are over an inch deep. A literal inch, not a figurative one.

Yes my bra fits. I've hovered around a JJ/K cup my entire adult life. The only time I've ever been strapless in my life was an expensive corseted dress for my first wedding. I was only 24, wouldn't even be able to wear it now thanks to the shoulder divots.

Oh fuck it, I'll name change and post a picture. It's not very clear but you get the gist.

@MigGirl. I have worn measured to fit bras since my early 20s, and been remeasured with every life change, weight gain etc. I am currently a 32J. Absolutely the weight is supported by the band. I still have massive grooves in my shoulders AND I end every day in considerable discomfort round my ribs/ chest. My GP just laughed when I asked about a reduction. I am now 65 and hoping to be able to pay to go private from my pension lump sum. The prospect of not having this weight on my front, not having to wrestle my way into bras and swimsuits, being able to buy a dress that doesn’t swamp my bottom half is so exciting.