anyone had a reduction? advice needed plz

LolitaLove

I have always had a large bust, and despite losing weight, they are getting bigger, not smaller. I am now into a J cup. I have constant back pain, neck pain, shoulder ache. I have prescribed medication but I have to spend hours per day stretching my back and keeping my core strong with pilates or I wouldn't be able to move around properly.
When I first went to my doc was told to lose weight. I was sent to physio. Another doc told me to wear a sports bra, which I did, with no help. I get properly fitted for expensive and ugly supportive bra's and they help a little but don't stop the problem. I have lost weight, and am a size 10-12. Now doc says my back feels fine. I can't prove the pain. I am only in my 20's and can't wear nice clothes, or get clothes to fit properly, would need a sie 20 to cover my bust. I can't afford surgery myself.

I have been trying to get quotes to see if I could have it privately but get told each person/quote is individual.

Is there anyone on this forum that has had a breast reduction. I plan on having children in the near future so would it affect this?
Are there any cost effective ways of having surgery?
Any alternative ways? Anything else that has helped?

Doc has said as my back 'feels fine' I am wanting reduction for cosmetic reasons and therefore disqualified from NHS ........I mentioned clothes not fitting and thats why. Doc has admitted my bust is large but said I'm so young I can cope with it and in 10 years he'd consider referral.

Has anyone else experienced this? I know someone that had a reduction at 26, on the NHS, but this was a few years ago before the recession.

I'm just at my wits end I can't carry on like this

Hope someone can help, thanks for any replies x

j.e.j.

I can't help re. the surgery, but meantime you could try Bravissimo/Pepperberry for clothes which have a more flattering fit. Their bras go up to a J-cup, too, I think.

sammyjammy

I had a reduction five years ago. Best thing I ever did. I had the same issues as you and with the support of my GP I built an evidence case for the PCT, this included seeing counsellors and physios. Eventually they turned me down, I didn't have the energy to fight it so remortgaged my house to pay for it privately. I went from a 36G to a 36D.

I went for a consultation which I got on recommendation and found out how much it would be from there, I think I paid just over £5000.

Are you registered on Breast Health Online? You can get loads of help and support over there.

Best of luck, I hope things work out for you.

LolitaLove

sammyjammy wrote: »

I had a reduction five years ago. Best thing I ever did. I had the same issues as you and with the support of my GP I built an evidence case for the PCT, this included seeing counsellors and physios. Eventually they turned me down, I didn't have the energy to fight it so remortgaged my house to pay for it privately. I went from a 36G to a 36D.

I went for a consultation which I got on recommendation and found out how much it would be from there, I think I paid just over £5000.

Are you registered on Breast Health Online? You can get loads of help and support over there.

Best of luck, I hope things work out for you.

Thank you, I will look into BH online, never heard of it before but sounds really promising in terms of info and support etc. Glad you are free of your burdens now and are happy, it really is a nightmare isn't it. Thanks for your reply :-)

raven83

I am not too sure on this, but I thought if it was causing you other physical problems and also mental stress then they have to help you. Saying that, what with all the cuts that have been put in it could be very difficult now

Slinky_Malinky

I had a friend who had a reduction around 12 years ago. Her reasons were the same as you, back pain etc. She had it done at a BUPA hospital and think she paid around £3k

She had to take around 6 weeks off work but it worth it as she was thrilled with the results.

LolitaLove

Slinky_Malinky wrote: »

I had a friend who had a reduction around 12 years ago. Her reasons were the same as you, back pain etc. She had it done at a BUPA hospital and think she paid around £3k

She had to take around 6 weeks off work but it worth it as she was thrilled with the results.

Does anyone know how that'd work? Taking time off work I mean....I imagine if you have it done privately it may be classed as a cosmetic procedure, and I (don't know) but would imagine if I said I need time off for a nose job or implants or something employer would not be too happy...esp. in terms of paying me sick pay for six weeks.....Would the doctor certify it medical/neccessary? If it is necessary though shouldn't it be available on the NHS?

It annoys me a bit as I know two girls that had implants on the NHS, one had A cups, one had B cups before....they claimed they were so psychologically damaged they couldn't go out, yet they were in reality going out clubbing two or three times a week and by the end of the night would flash people so they obv weren't that concerned about them! Yet it looks like I will have to fund my own surgery for something that is and always has caused me embarassment, pain, and affected my quality of life....doesn't seem fair

j.e.j.

I have never heard of people getting breast implants on the nhs purely for cosmetic purposes? I would have thought ops like that would only be funded in cases of serious breast disease, etc.

sammyjammy

j.e.j. wrote: »

I have never heard of people getting breast implants on the nhs purely for cosmetic purposes? I would have thought ops like that would only be funded in cases of serious breast disease, etc.

Both Breast reductions and implants can be funded by the NHS, each PCT has their own criteria, some are fairer than others :mad:

sammyjammy

LolitaLove wrote: »

Does anyone know how that'd work? Taking time off work I mean....I imagine if you have it done privately it may be classed as a cosmetic procedure, and I (don't know) but would imagine if I said I need time off for a nose job or implants or something employer would not be too happy...esp. in terms of paying me sick pay for six weeks.....Would the doctor certify it medical/neccessary? If it is necessary though shouldn't it be available on the NHS?

It annoys me a bit as I know two girls that had implants on the NHS, one had A cups, one had B cups before....they claimed they were so psychologically damaged they couldn't go out, yet they were in reality going out clubbing two or three times a week and by the end of the night would flash people so they obv weren't that concerned about them! Yet it looks like I will have to fund my own surgery for something that is and always has caused me embarassment, pain, and affected my quality of life....doesn't seem fair

The taking time off work won't be an issue. My sick notes were provided by my GP, she asked me what I wanted her to put on my note, I think we just went with major operation, a couple of trusted colleagues were told what the op was but nobody knew it was done privately (nobodies business). You most certainly can't go back to work before you are healed, this is a major operation, I had ten weeks off altogether and if you go back too early you are asking for major complications.

I really think you need to, with the support of you GP, make a submission to your local PCT for funding. Gather as much info as you can before doing so. A useful thing to do is sit down and write a letter similar and in a bit more depth than your first post. How it makes you feel physchologically and physically. Its important you don't make it sound like you think a BR will change your life and make it perfect (this indicates mental health issues to them!). Register on BHO and read lots of the posts about people attempting to get funding. Be firm with your doctor about a referral to PCT, if they are not helpful and supportive then change GPs.

I forgot to say about the breast feeding, there are two types of BR one shouldn't affect your ability to BR but the other makes it unlikely, it would be up to your surgeon which type you needed.

Slinky_Malinky

In my friends case she took the 6 weeks as sick leave, everyone knew what she had done, but she played on the fact that she was suffering back pain from the weight of her breasts. I will sound really catty for saying this, but she had never mentioned a bad back until she decided to have the reduction.....