Advice needed - Breast reduction
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hello 
I am 21, and my bra size is currently 32FF, I am 5foot 1 (so quite tiny) and a size 8/10, except in tops where i could be anything up to a size 14 due to my breasts. I did loose alot of weight in the past 15 months, and my once 34G breast shrunk, and not in a good way, they have sagged and my nipples are basically facing downwards and I hate leaning forward infront of people unless i have a really supportive bra on. I have always had issues with my breast size as I am really petite and I feel they are just too big, i feel uncomfertable when wearing low cut tops as they are really 'in your face' but also when i wear blouses or baggier tops and dresses i look frumpy, trivial matters, but I have been in tears getting ready for work before over these issues. It's not just the inability to find well fitting clothes which affects me, it is the unwanted attention, the back pain, and no matter how hard I work on it, my posture is terrible.
My mother had a reduction at 23, and it changed her life dramatically however she wants me to wait until I'm older to have mine done, I am two years younger than what she was with hers but all of the problems she faced at the time, I am facing aswell and I really feel like I won't enjoy most of my twenties without the surgery. I used to be so outgoing and bubbly, and my confidence is slowly ebbing away. Would people recommend I waited a few years?
I am looking into getting the surgery done on the NHS but am also exploring private option, would anyone have any recommendations on which route to go down?
I am hoping to have the surgery before my 22nd birthday (in november) so any further advice/reassurance would be helpfull,
Thanks
xx
0 likes, 3 replies
H.Schumacher bethany40736
Posted
I am a plastic surgeon working in the East of England. This issue must have quite an impact on your daily life. You are not the only woman who has problems with large breasts. In most regions a breast reduction is not offered routinely to everyone, but there are some criteria which might make you elegible for NHS treatment. These are usually: back or neck pain, sore shoulders from bra straps or intertrigo (Inflammation under the breasts) and you have to be close to a normal Body Mass Index. There is no need to wait unless you are in the process to reduce your weight to a normal range. The best first step through the NHS route would be to see your GP who can refer you to a plastic surgeon if you meet the local criteria.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any further questions.
kathryn_42088 H.Schumacher
Posted
H.Schumacher bethany40736
Posted
You can look for a plastic surgeon on http://www.bapras.org.uk/home/find-a-member . BAPRAS is the organisation of proper plastic surgeons in the UK. You can put your postcode in to find the nearest. The next thing to do is to look at the personal websites of these surgeons and the information about them at the hospital where they are working. I would also do a general Google search, because some patients comment on surgeons as well. I have worked both in Whiston Hospital near Liverpool and the Countess of Chester Hospital in the North West and found the standards of the surgeons very good. The next step would be to go to your GP and discuss options to have this done on the NHS. Although there are some restrictions, you might be able to have this funded if you fulfil certain criteria. Your GP will be able to tell you about them. He can then refer you to a plastic surgeon. If you decide to go private, you can find out the surgeon's contact number on their private websites. Again the BAPRAS website gives you good advice what to look for. Get back to me if you need further info.