Breast Reduction Surgery on the NHS


Cosmetic Surgery Enquiry

Although it is considered to be a cosmetic surgery, breast reduction surgery is sometimes available on the NHS. This is the case where the surgery is considered to have a significant benefit on your physical and mental wellbeing. Breast reduction surgery will not be carried out by the NHS if it is for purely cosmetic reasons.

Physical Reasons for Breast Reduction Surgery on the NHS

If the size of your breasts is causing you physical problems, it is likely that you will be able to get surgery on the NHS. Physical problems that can be caused by large breasts include:

  • Back and chest pain
  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Frequent rashes underneath your breasts
  • Skin infections underneath your breasts
  • Sores underneath your breasts
  • Circulatory problems
  • Difficulty breathing, particularly at night
  • Extremely tender and painful breasts
  • Deep groves where your breasts cause your bra straps to dig into your skin
  • Excessive sweating underneath your breasts
  • Skin Irritation
  • Poor posture
  • Inability to take part in physical activities

If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your GP about your breasts and what can be done to help resolve the problem.

Psychological Reasons for Breast Reduction Surgery on the NHS

There are also psychological benefits of breast reduction, which can make the surgery available on the NHS. Cosmetic surgery for psychological reasons is very rarely granted on the NHS and involves strict monitoring.

Cosmetic surgery is normally granted for mental health reasons where your breasts are causing you severe emotional trauma. This is where you are depressed, stressed, and self- conscious. It can often come as a result of unwanted attention and harassment from others. You could also be stressed by the fact that you are unable to find clothing to fit your breasts.

If you feel that, your breasts are causing you psychological distress you should see your GP. They may be able to provide psychological help immediately and help you to pursue surgical options.

Seeing a Doctor about Breast Reduction Surgery on the NHS

The first point of call before getting breast reduction surgery on the NHS is your GP. It is they who will have to recommend you for assessment for NHS treatment. Your GP will examine your breasts and discuss the complications that they are causing you. They may be able to recommend other treatments that could help to ease your symptoms.

You should always follow the advice of your GP, even if their treatments may seem ineffective. In order to be eligible for breast reduction surgery on the NHS you may be required to prove that you have tried all other non- surgical methods of relieving your symptoms. This involves eating healthily and exercising on a regular basis.

If your GP feels that breast reduction surgery is necessary straight away, they will immediately recommend you to a specialist. You will then be given an appointment to see the specialist. There is often a long wait for this appointment so you should ensure that you make a note of when it is and turn upon time.

The specialist will reassess your breasts to determine whether they are suitable for NHS treatment, and what the best treatment would be. Once the specialist has accepted you as an NHS patient, you will be put onto the waiting list for the treatment.

If you have been sent for NHS breast reduction surgery because of psychological reasons, you will be required to undergo mental assessments before being put on the waiting list. This will involve looking deeply into the reasons for your mental distress and whether breast reduction surgery would alter your mental state. This can be a lengthy and frustrating process but is necessary for you to be accepted as an NHS patient.

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