Breast Reduction: Forum
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Anyone from the UK?

By rosie3522 on 10 Jan 2013

I'm 19 with 28GG breasts and i've been considering surgery for about a year now, but i'm absolutely terrified!  literally everything about the procedure is scaring me at the moment: the cost, the scars, how long they'd take to heal, what i'd say to co-workers and family and friends and arghhhh it's so scary!   just wondered if anyone had any experience in the UK as i've done some research into cost and everything but i'd really like some first hand experience if that's possible.   thanks!

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how long is it post-op that i can exercise again? specifically running. i'm training for a marathon and am just wondering. also have emailed my doctor because it's been two weeks now and i haven't heard anything.
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sooooo still haven't heard back from my doctor and it's been over a week... is this normal or has he forgotten about me :(
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UPDATE (don't know how to make it an actual update so it can just be a comment) I saw my GP this week, think the US equivalent is a primary care doctor, and he basically said i've got a good case and is going to speak to a plastic surgeon who will (hopefully) examine me from both a nhs and private perspective. I've just got to sit and wait now for a call either from the PS, or from my doctor if, in his words, 'we hit any barriers'. Still very uncertain and stuff but it feels good to know i've taken the next step and that there's someone professional on my side.
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Hello Rosie, I went to see my NHS surgeon in late November and he booked me in for January 16th, then I got a phone call for the op to be on the 12th of Jan, I must say now that I didn't go through with it, cos I got VERY cold feet, but anyway, it doesn't always take years and they do still do them on the NHS. Of course, part of me regrets not going through with it, but like you, I was scared of the whole thing. I have since looked up the surgeon who did Ulrika Jonsson who shows pictures of 3,6 and 12 months, if I had seen them 2 weeks ago I would probably have gone ahead as you can hardly see that anything has been done[scare wise]. I think that may have been the problem that I didn't see any before and after photos with my surgeon. Anyway, enough of me, I hope all goes well for you. PS. I am a 30GG
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Hiiiii guys just seen your replies! firstly thank you debs that's really eased my mind a bit. i know this is the right thing to do but still scary! in terms of updates, i went to my health practice last week and saw a nurse (as is the system at this centre) and she basically said not to get my hopes up as the nhs has no money. nevertheless she made me an appointment with the doctor for this tuesday. still nervous that they'll say no but i also don't think i want to be put on a waiting list for the next 3-5 years of my life so private might be an option, but one that i'll consider properly after this appointment. just wondering debs, how long was it from your first consultation with your PS was your op date? thanks again for the support, really really appreciate it. x
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Hi rosie3532, You are very welcome babes. My first GP appt was in March (2012) and she sent a letter to my PS who also works in the NHS. This took 2 weeks so April 2012. He was to assess me from an NHS and private viewpoint. I met the criteria but had to wait 3 years (as i said before) so i took the Private option. I was examined and he discussed my options with me. He suggested a FNG -Free Nipple Graft, in view of my age, and as I have 2 children. I had also breastfed them both briefly (which is a factor as the breasts change) and my sternal notch to nipple measurement was greater than 21 cms. To be the size I wanted FNG was necessary, but If i wanted to be bigger (an E or F cup ) and keep nipple sensation, then I would be big still. That was not an option!! I am a large B/small C and I am happy. So I went away for a month to think it over and discuss with my partner but i knew there and then I wanted the FNG. I went back in May for my 2nd assessment and was booked in for 30th June 2012. A week before my op, my PS had family illness and took time off from NHS and private work- creating a back-log. His secretary re-booked me for August. I had a letter asking me to come in on Wednesday 29th August 2012 and I had my op at 8am. Woke at 1:30pm and was up walking about by 6pm! Going private means you have more flexibility in terms of dates. Ask anything you like! I'll support you all I can. x x
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ahhh that's amazing thank you! to think that it could happen so quickly is so so exciting. just out of interest, how much did the procedure cost and did you have to pay in full up front? also breast feeding and things aren't so much of an issue for me as it is uncertain whether or not i'll be able to have children, and even more uncertain whether they'll be mine biologically, so that's not something i'm worried about. thanks again!
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Hi rosie, forgive the late reply as i don't come on here as often as i would like due to work issues! The cost was £6,000. (I am an NHS RN so i had a discount and actually paid £5, 200). My ps does this for NHS staff bless him he is a great surgeon and a good man. I'm not aware of any other PS who do this for NHS staff). I was with the Nuffield and i had to pay in full a week before my op date. You can take out a laon using the company the Nuffiled have on their website and you can pay over 10 mths interest-free or longer with interest. Have a look and see what you think? If B/f isnt an issue then go with whatever procedure suits you to be the size you want. I can positively say... you will love your new boobs and wonder why on earth you were worrying! I've had 2 C-Sections and my BR was nothing in comparison! Well worth the worry and i really did have NO NEED to worry as i feel so great. SHould have done it sooner if i had known how well I would feel post op compared to how sore and heavy i felt pre-op. x x
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Hi Rosie, just seen your post, I am from the UK and wondered how you are you doing?
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Hi sandbags! How are you?? x x
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Hi Debs, Doing really well thanks, just get tired from work but generally very well. 6 weeks tomorrow, can't believe how fast it has gone! Now on to paper taping once a week and massage and cream when change tapes and PS wants this done for 3 months. Found a fantastic post surgery bra from MaCom in London really good compression bra and comfy. Still sleeping on my back as just want to give everything the best chance to settle. Now it is a case of trying to get rid of the bit of belly that has appeared since eating Christmas food and not doing too much! :). How are things with you? Are you finding work ok? I have read some of your posts to other ladies and they are so encouraging as yours were for me. Bye for now xx
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Hi sandbags, Glad to hear you are doing well. Great op isn't it? I understand about the 'belly' issue! I found my 'small area (my hips and tummy) is now my big bit! I'm working on this now and i've given up on chocolate as i eat too much of it! Work is fine. I found i had some tightness at times and I stood bent over to relieve the ache!! I'm now 5 months and i am still finding my boobs slightly boxy buti have to remind myself i am still early days. 'Speak' soon and look after yourself x
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Hi rosie3532, I am from the UK. I had my BR done on 29th Aug last year. I was a 34GG/H and now I am a 34B/Small C. In fact, I am now 'bottom heavy' at a size 12 in jeans!! I am 48 years old and I have wanted a BR since I was 19/20 years of age. Fear of all you said stopped me until I was 47 and I decided a few months of worry and a few hours of pre-op scariness was worth living the rest of my life happy. The cost? Worth every penny, as I went private despite passing the NHS BMI guidelines i wasn't prepared to wait 3 years. The scars? I am nearly 5 months on and my scars are tiny and almost white. The only ones really visible are the ones from the bottom of each breast up to the nipple. Healing? I felt better post op than i ever did pre op. Gone were the neck and upper back pain, gone were the sore shoulders, gone went the red grooves and slowly the 'trench marks' in my shoulders (where the big bra straps used to sit) and here is my life. At our staff xmas party, I wore a lovely bra for the first time in my life and I was able to dance and jump up and down!!!! (without holding onto my chest, and yes with arms in the air!!!). The healing: I took 12 weeks off work and I can honestly say after 6 hours post op i was up and walking around the hospital feeling as light as a feather. My drains were out by day 3 and I went home. I sat watching TV but I was more tired than anything else. I had some wriggling feeling (like a mouse under my skin!) and some shooting pains now and then. Occasionally I had some aching which went with paracetemol and ibuprofen but by week 1-2 . I was feeling so happy with the result it was a case of making sure I was not over doing it! I had dressings done twice to three times a week after week 3 and then I just healed well. I saw my PS weekly for 4 weeks and then monthly. After 3 months- I see him again in March (at 6 months post op). I've had no problems at all except to say I wish I had this done decades ago. Its a decision for you and you alone. I have found it positively life-changing and life enhancing. People who haven't see me since my op are 'open mouthed' as I look so much better! I live in Derbyshire so if you want to ask anything please in box me or ask on here. Good luck! Debs x x
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