28 J - NHS Breast Reduction in the UK

A lifetime of being 'big up top' finally is over.......

My journey started about three years ago when I visited my very supportive GP and was turned down for BR surgery on the NHS as my BMI was 28. At the time I was a 32K. Six months ago I decided to address my weight and fitness problems and started a fitness and diet challenge. I'm 56, 5 foot 2 and I weighed in at a hefty 12 stone 11 and felt disgusting. I followed a Paleo approach to eating and worked out five times a week. The weight fell off and I was intrigued as to how it would affect my breast size. It didn't. I had suffered back problems for years, had chaffing under the breasts, big dents in my shoulders and exercise classes were embarrassing. In May of this year, I went back to see my GP who was astounded at my weight loss - by this time my BMI was 25 - but equally astounded to see my breasts were still very very big. I asked her to refer me to see a plastic surgeon to assess if I was suitable for BR before we applied for funding. She agreed and within two weeks I was seen in an NHS hospital. The consultant was amazing and agreed that I needed the surgery and asked when would be most convenient for me. I mentioned that my GP would need to apply for funding and he told me that wasn't necessary and that he was approving the surgery and funding. It is now a week since my BR op. I was 9 stone 4pounds and a 28J on the morning of the surgery. My large pendulous breasts (consulatant's words) have gone and I look in the mirror and see a slim person. I couldn't see this at all before. My shape has changed completely and I feel like a different woman. Yes.......I am bruised and swollen but very impressed by the surgery done. I have taken very little pain relief and am looking forward to the dressings being removed on Friday. Asda sports bras are my new best friends - I bought more expensive ones that didn't fit (because of the swelling) and will use Asda ones until my final shape emerges or the maybe the hospital will tell me otherwise on Friday.

So .........ladies in the UK...........maybe I was very lucky but my journey down the NHS route turned out to be very successful. The care was amazing and the surgeon insisted that I stayed three days in hospital so that he could make sure that I was strong enough to go home (routine procdure). He visited me twice on the day of the surgery and once on the other two days. Other doctors monitored me when he wasn't about.
How interesting that I'm not brave enough to post photos yet! I am currently in bed wearing a camisole top (thin straps) over my dressings and sports bra. I feel like a women .............!????

So on day 11 the dressings were removed and I felt under the weather - thought it was the trauma of having all the tapes removed and maybe seeing the extent of the surgery for the first time. Felt tired and weary for the following two days. I noticed that there was considerable swelling near where the drain had been removed. I phoned the ward (NHS in the UK) and went back in for a doctor to look at. Straight away I was put on IV antibiotics and now, 48 hours later, feel so much better. The best I've felt since the surgery. I feel like I now am going to have a normal recovery for the first time. I'm now home with oral antibiotics and would urge anyone with any worries to go back to the surgeon.