breast reduction

[LynneR]

Hi Theresa, so glad you have made it at last! You will get smaller as you heal and it can take up to 6 months before they completely settle. You are back at work you said, that's good but you must be careful. its not a minor operation you've had and your body needs time to heal. Take care and enjoy the new you!

[theresa.nealon@rnib.org.u]

Well I have had a check up this morning and the consultant thought my left book was slightly bigger than my right. I am going to see him in 3 months time and if needs be after 6 months he said he could do liposuction on the larger one - but its not a major thing. He said that my boobs will have changed a lot in 6 months.

[somersetgirl]

Hi ladies,
I am a newcomer reading up and researching info on breast reduction. I am a young 41 with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis (mainly in neck). I have always had reasonably large boobs but the last couple of years have gone from 32DD/34D to a sagging 32FF.
My doc has referred me to a surgeon for a reduction after i asked 3 weeks ago. Luckily i have an appointment tomorrow and am so hoping he will agree to reduce them to a smaller, perter 32D.
I am a bit nervous but want this 100% as it will help my pain and i w'ont hate these ugly, droopy things anymore!
How long is the average NHS wait for an op does anyone know?
Lovely to find out i'm not the only one with this 'boobie' prob! Any advice ladies please?

Heidi x

[LynneR]

Hi Somerset girl, I had around a 9 months wait for my op after seeing the consultant. Not too bad when its someting so worth waiting for. If I were you I would stress the health reasons for your op and not dwell too much on the pert boobs you want.

[somersetgirl]

Hi Lynn,
good of you to reply!
No its not so much the pert bust i want, it's primarily the pain i get. I had a bad whiplash injury 13 yrs ago and since then, i have had chronic neck, shoulder pain and severe headaches. I am a migraine sufferer but the pain in my upper body, especially neck and head for the last few years has been terrible to live with. I was a beauty therapist/aromatherapist and had to give up work for several types of employment due to time off for pain. Now i am back on incapacity benefit and life is sometimes never painfree.It has taken years of doctors,pills,treatments and specialists for them to finally say..it's Fibromyalgia. Aswell as x-rays to show bad arthritis in my neck.
Sorry to go on, just explaining. The doc and my Osteopath both agree a reduction would help my muscle pain, but its me who hates the weight, appearance and painful bras/bikinis the lst couple of years. I'm usually a size 12-14 but after losing almost a stone before my wedding last year,my bust just grew and has since increased.
I ca'nt remember if you had yours or are still waiting? I can see by many posts on here that its great once it's done

Heidi x

[LynneR]

Hi Heidi

Don't apologise for going on! Questions are good, I think it helps to make the whole process easier in the long term. I had my op on Sept 7th, a red letter day! I am older and thought I might not get it done because of that but I have chronic disc probs and after 2 back ops it was suggested to me that I go for a reduction. Obviously it would be too much to expect to be totally pain free in my back after but it is much much better. I also used to get neck pain especially when typing but dont get that now.

I feel great and I think I look great and that's good enough for me x

[somersetgirl]

Well Lynn, thats great news. To get 'less' pain and feel better in and about yourself is a blessing.
That means you were healed by xmas, did you dress differently for party season and enjoy compliments?
I am a smoker which is worrying but i am sure there are some smokers out there who could give advice and maybe i'll be able to pack it in.

If i am put on the list it will be reassuring to know there are other women with the same experience to chat to, also to help others who await the op at a later date. I am sure this site (aswell as others) will be a godsend in days of recovery.

Heidi x

[karenm]

I'm just researching breast reductions and found this conversation online. It's really interesting to find out what other women think about the subject. I am 24 yrs old and a 34E, but they're still growing. I eat healthily and try to exercise regularly, plus been a constant weight, and don't smoke, but I'm still worried about asking my GP about advice or for a referral, because I don't want to find out my only option is to spend money I don't have to go private. Although, I don't think I can carry on with the humilation of remarks, even from friends, the constant pain and bad posture and the inconvenience of never finding bras in my size in shops!
Did you ladies find your GPs helpful, and willing to refer you straight away, and how long in average have you had to wait for the operation? Your thoughts are much appreciated, I'm completely paranoid that I'm just being vain and neurotic!

[LynneR]

Hi Karenm, usually the only way to get the op on NHS is for health reasons rather than cosmetic. However, this covers metal health as well as physical. (Don't meant to imply you are going mad!) You are young and if the comments are badly affecting your health then tell your GP. If you have back pain or neck problems as a result of the weight you are carrying on your chest, tell him/her that as well. its worth talking to your GP about and no-one can make you part with money you don't have. If you are turned down the first time you ask, try again and again. Some of the people on here, including me, were rejected at first but we wouldn't take no for an answer without a fight first. There may not be a fight but you won't know unless you try!

Good luck

[somersetgirl]

Hi Karen,
read your post and no-way are you just paranoid! I used to get my breasts talked to and comments made, now im older and they are bigger still, im interested in a reduction as have been told with my muscle pain i would qualify. Go to your GP and talk things through hun, if it affects you psychologically you also have a good case. Size E is large and it can get you down when it spoils things in life.
Good luck and b nice to know how you go

Heidi x

[amz]

hi, im 20 and had a breast reduction 4 weeks ago, i was reading claires quote, saying about the blood blisters you had.... ive got the same and still cant go to work yet!!
im so glad i had the operation, but im so impatient and thought id b back at work by now too....and i hate wearing these ugly bras!! haha!
i go back to the dressing clinic every week, they thought i had an infection first and put me on antibiotics for a week, now they think im allergic to the stitches! thats why im gettin blisters....i have then under both nipples and along the stitch line on both breasts....i know theyll heal eventually... but just to let u know claire ur not alone!! they look horrid...but ive been told theyll heal fine!!
xxxx Amy xxx

[amz]

i went to my GP last january... and told him about my back pain, but also how they made me feel, tell your gp you cant find bras and clothes to fit, tell him that u hate going out because people stare....tell them they make u feel depressed... my GP WAS SO NICE....i was a 34FF, ive had the op now, only 11 months after i went to my gp....im healing at the moment...but cant wait to go shopping for new clothes and bra...and bikinis for the summer!! im now a 34D xxx amyxxxx

[theresa.nealon@rnib.org.u]

Just to let anyone out there who is having trouble deciding what to put on the scars. I was told recently at the hospital that Dermatix (silicon gel/cream) was very good to use on scars. I tried the chemist and a tiny tube (15grms) was £34 and that might have lasted for 1 application. I popped along to my GP and guess what she gave me a prescription for 60grms and said I could have a repeat prescription but that she was interested in feedback. I have been using it for a few days and it is too soon to judge. Before that I was using Bio-oil. At least it might be worth trying for someone.

Theresa

[LynneR]

Thanks for that Theresa hope you are doing well, I found that E45 cream was good as well.

[rhiannon2762]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone could offer me any advice at all as i am completely confused as what to do! I am turning 21 very soon and i am a 34H, i have been unhappy with the size of my breasts since 17 and have been to see my GP almost every year since then asking to have a breast reduction. But i have always been told that i am too young and not fully developed yet or my boobs aren't big enough and to try and lose weight (even though i have a healthy BMI of 24)

I eat well and hardly drink alcohol or caffine and lead a pretty healthy lifestyle as a walk almost everywhere. But i have issues with exercise as i cant find a suitable sports bra and i am also very self conscience. i notice people staring at my breasts and making remarks about how large they are - a lady once came up to me in a pub to ask if they were real! some would find that flattering but i just found it very embarassing.

i've only ever seen breast reduction as my only option as there is no way of disguising the fact i have large breasts. my mum doesnt agree that i need one but as she only has d cup breasts i feel she doesn't really understand my issues anyway.

sorry to rant but having read some of the posts i can see that there are women who have been in the same position i am in now, so if anyone could she any light on the matter for me i would really appreciate it

rhiannon x

[LynneR]

Is there another GP in your Practice that you might see? Failing that go back and insist that the size of your breasts are causing you psychological damage, cry if you have to! Tell him about the neck ache and the pain when you turn over in bed, about how you can't excersise because they are too large. Tell him it all!!


Good Luck x

[julest038]

Hi everyone
I have just turned 40 last week and decided I was fed up with my large boobs
34FF, I went to the Doctor to ask about a reduction on the NHS and he
was totally unsympathetic and said the was virtually zero chance of it happening on the NHS even though I have suffered from depression on and off
for years, I cried and told him how unhappy I am with people making comments all the time asking if there real and can they feel them and when I go out to pubs and clubs people taking pics of them on there camera phones!!
I am not an extrovert and don't like all the attention they get.
I am planning to go to Malta to have them done within the next month, I have had to take out a loan to pay for it even though I have always paid national insurance, it is cheaper to go abroad than get it done in the UK.
I just wish I had had the courage to do it years ago.

[vicks7005]

Hi I went to my dr in dec 07 had a appointment at hospital in jan 08 and told 2-3months to wait for operation, im a 34ff and 36 years old and body mass of 25 (has to be below 27 or they wont even see you ). So the nhs are still doing it.

[sarah_xx]

Hi I'm 18 years old and have had big boobs since I was about 13! I have a size 8/10 figure but have 36 dd's ... I'm not even sure there probably bigger than that but I wont go in to a shop and try a bra on.. I feel so disgusted.

I feel so uncomfortable all of the time.. I always hunch when Im sitting because its painful to sit straight.. They are constantly sore around the sides and I have groove marks from my bra in my shoulder.. As well as most women on here I have very painful shoulders and back, I always have a burning sensation in my neck if I bend it especially after working all day. I sounds sooo silly but I once couldnt face getting out of the bath as I knew how painful it was going to be so I lay in the cold water for ages and had to have my bf help me out! Its not just the physical pain, its the emotional too. I feel so down when I wake up in the mornings as I know I have to get up with the weight of my breasts. I know I'm sounding like I feel sorry for myself but was just looking for some help and someone to talk to about it all...

I have been to the harley medical group for a consultation but it was going to cost nearly £6000 which is alot... I would get help of my parents but this is my problem and wouldn't like to depend on them. I know I won't get it on the MHS but was wondering if anyone knew the criteria for getting it done?? I'm sure people have posted it but not all sure what it means. I will pay for it privately if I have to.

Thanks Sarah

[angel70]

Hi all,
I have been following these posts for sometime but this is my first post!
I am 37 and breast size 34ff. I have wanted a reduction for the past 10 years and last year after the birth of my daughter I thought enough is enough! I suffer from continual neck and back pain due to bad posture. I hate the unwanted attention and have always felt very self conscious.
My dr (female) was surprising helpful. She sent off a referral to the PCT for funding ( I don't smoke and am below the bmi requirement). I also had 2 letters from different physio's to back up my claim. I am constantly having physio treatment.
I was so shocked when my request was refused. Apparently my case is not extreme enough! My dr has since sent off an appeal and I'm currently waiting to hear back but I don't hold out much hope of getting it done on the NHS, I feel really depressed now, to have it done privately is so expensive but might be my only option.
Sorry to go on and on. Can anyone offer any advice please ? Is there anything else I can do to get it done on the NHS ? I dont know what else to do!
Thank you and good luck to everyone else trying