Did you consider appraoching the NHS for BA

I'm just wondering if there are any girls who thought about or actually approached the NHS about BA and what the outcome was?

It just seems that there are a lot of girls who get a really rough time if they approach their GP and I'd like to get some kind of idea about what type of responses they received.
The really odd thing is that the response they get seems to vary greatly by region and I personally think there should be a more considerate and uniform policy.

Anyway, before I start rambling too much any information is greatly appreciated whether it's personal experience or from family or friends.

Thanks girlies x

Fab thread hun, I didnt approach my GP about a BA, not sure why now as I have an amazing GP who is very understanding maybe i should have! xxx

nads wrote: Fab thread hun, I didnt approach my GP about a BA, not sure why now as I have an amazing GP who is very understanding maybe i should have! xxx

I've been thinking about it quite a bit, and I've heard bad and good responses so I thought it might be an idea if I could get a few stories and maybe approach the NHS about it?

It probably won't make a hint of difference, but I can't help but think if I could harness all the raw boobie power around here it would be a good thing :)

Hey Sticky

I approached my GP and he made it seem like an impossible task. He told me that very few women get BAs on the NHS, basically only those who had very uneven boobs or nothing at all. I explained that I had nothing (I didn't show him - way too embarrassed), at which point he said that I would have to have to see a psychiartrist.

He basically put up such a huge brick wall he made it seem an impossible route.

xx

Sticky wrote:I've been thinking about it quite a bit, and I've heard bad and good responses so I thought it might be an idea if I could get a few stories and maybe approach the NHS about it?

It probably won't make a hint of difference, but I can't help but think if I could harness all the raw boobie power around here it would be a good thing

Sounds awesome hun

I didn't approach my GP- I don't NEED a BA, I don't have any pyschological damage resulting in having small boobs and I knew the answer would be NO!

I didnt approach my gp. Although I do believe that my mental health will be improved by having a bigger chest, I dont think they are actually small enough for the NHS to take me seriously about it. I mean they are quite small but I do have some breast tissue, not like some of the girls who have absolutely nothing. And I have enough to make myself a cleavage with 3 sets of padding (lol!) so I think I'd be turned away because I already have "sufficient" boobs.
xx

i approached my gp over 2 years ago, twice, was turned down both times, but i have two friends that got theres one on nhs, and another girl who recently got hers done on nhs, twice xx

I did approach my GP, I did have a history of depression due to body image etc and was also asking about other hormone problems I had. Basically I was told mental health was no longer taken into consideration and no one would get a BA on the NHS even those with real problems (well thanks I don't have any real problems then). I am losing faith in the NHS not because they wouldn't give me a BA but their attitude to people. There are ways of saying no to people with out being rude. They didn't even offer me any recomendations on private surgeons or companies.
I had to wait a year to see a specialist for a lump in my throat? luckily it was a cyst.
Lots and lots of other things they have been most useless with. Think I'll look into private health care. I already have a private dentist and den plan.

My ex's mother got her first op on the NHS 5yrs ok for having A cup breast and is now waiting 4th op to correct them yet again on the nhs. My friend went as her boobs are now empty/saggy with mental health issues cause of them and was turned away right away.

I seen surgeon 2 yrs ago and was given the go ahead for 2implants to sort my breasts, but i found out i was pregnant so had to put it on hold. Spoke to my GP 3 week after having my 3rd daughter who dismissed me at first saying they couldn't be that bad, i said that they really were and when she finally took a lot she said they were the worst she had seen and i was seen a few weeks later by a surgeon. The surgeon offered me one implant and i have to wait another 4months to see psychologist at the hospital and then surgeon again in the hope i can change his mind on the whole thing.
What annoys me is i also know of 3 other girls who have had ops in the last 3yrs due to small (same sized breasts) with the same hospital as am dealing with but am having to put up with just one implant? its just so confusing. xx

I mentioned it to my gp along time ago, and he siad i woulnt get them on nhs, and said that loads of young girls would love to be as slim as me and have my figure, so just basically be grateful with what ive got! xx

To be honest it didn't even cross my mind.

Great thread btw. xx

*Sally* wrote:To be honest it didn't even cross my mind.

Great thread btw. xx

Thanks Sally :flower:

Hoepfully if I can get enough experiences then I can approach the NHS and get them to explain the hugely different responses some girls get compared to others.

BTW Have you checked my thread about urogynae's it'll give you a giggle

it would be great if you could approach the NHS. I have been looking into this alot in my area, speaking to people who have had ops and well i am disgusted that some woman have had the op done on the nhs (for really no reason, even saying they lied about there health to get them bigger) and those genuinely needing them done and not getting them or being left 18-24months before the op which they had no say in at all. x

I have mine done on the NHS. I got offered it when I was 18yrs old. but said no, cause at the time I'd gone through a series of operations on my spine and didn't want to see another hospital ward for a long time.

A few years ago, I had a breakdown and when I went to see a shrink it came down to my body image. Basically I have a concaved chest bone with hardly any breast tissue, which was caused by a genetic illness. 18months after having being discharged from my shrink, I decided to go and see my GP about having a BA.

I was immediately referred to a surgeon, who put 9months worth of barriers in my way. But eventually I got the letter for my operation date. They were done in October.

I did got to my G.P & he was really understanding! He has Known me since i was a little girl & he has a strong connection with our family for medical reasons.

I told him how i felt about my lack off boobs & how it made me feel so he asked if i minded if he exsamined me to see what he thought. He totally agreed that i had very little breast tissue at all & said that he did infact get surgury for a girl in the same situation as me 3 years ago.

He told me he would write to the funding people ( cant remeber who they were) & that i should get a report from a plastic surgon to back it up.
He did exspain that i wouldnt have much say in the size off implant & that it could take years to arrange but he felt it would be worth it.
Bless him he did feel bad when i told him how much it cost to go privately & said thats a lot of money & he did think it was to much & praying on women who are insecure because off having no breast tissue............

In the end i did go private after reading alot of NHS horror storys i just didnt want to risk ending up with something i didnt want. I went back & told my G.P & again he was very supportive. My parents helped raise the money & my hubby pays it off.

My G.P &my surgury Nurses also helped look with my aftercare which they didnt have to but if not i had to travle 2 hours to see someone if i needed a stitch trimmed so they did it instead & really didnt mind.

Just bumping this a some of our newer NHS BA girlies can have an input

well i have approached my GP, it was the first time i went to see her about it, and at first she seemed quite reluctant to listen-and basically she thought that i was probably one of these girls going in there with a A/B cup.anyway after a chat she decided to have a look (i got the impression she wasnt gunna bother at first though) and when she did she was visably shocked at my lack of boobs, especially considering my frame. she immediatly said ''oh...........theres much less breast tissue than i had anticipated.......'' (alkward silence........) lol. she has reffered me, im just waiting for my appointment for my scan.

i think some girls get quite hung up on the fact that they should get it if there boobs are small-but to be honest i would be happy with an A cup, but i literally have no boobies-theres a difference! and assymetry usually has to be about 2 cup size difference. there are strick guidlines, and i think some girls are that down on themselves they thing that an A/B cup is freakishly small-but there not, you know when your boobs are small when there arnt any bras that fit you-not even training ones-lol!

xx

I approached my GP(who is lovely) and he referred me to surgeon
Got a letter bout a week later to say that funding is not available..
I excepted it and a year later had earnt enough to pay for them

I went to my GP about 3 or 4 years ago with asymmetric breasts and without even looking the lady GP said i was perfectly normal, and the usual type of dismissive 'get over it' message.

Went again at the start of the year and saw a different GP at the same surgery. When i broke down in tears before i could even say a word i think thats when he thought it might be serious. After a few blubbered words and trying to tell him how it affects my life, he asked to have a look if i didnt mind. - Of course i minded, it was so embarassing, but it had to be done to get the ball rolling.

I have seen a couple of surgeons now and i think i just need to get my bloomin BMI down before they will operate. Diets are soo hard!!!

Must admit i am still a little bit reserved about the NHS, as part of the reason i have to go back this time is that the surgeon didnt know how to measure my boobs. He put my sizes down as appx 38DD and 34C. Talk about worrying signs, doesnt fill me with confidence.

I did not approach my GP as I didn't "need" a BA, for me it was purely cosmetic reasons, just wanted to look better in a bikini and achieve a killer cleavage!

x x

For anybody thinking about appraoching your GP, things to remember it is not them that make the decision in the funding, so really they should not NOT refer you as the consultant is the one that says whether you meet the criteria or not, not your GP. On the NHS website it clearly states that the NHS may fund you if you are underdeveloped breasts, have one larger than the other or if your mental/psychological state is effected.

I never knew I could apply to be funded, and before I found out, I had been through councelling, taken antidepressent, and was also reviewed by a psychatrist but was told I wouldnt need to persue that route that a specialised councellor would be fine. I spent over 12 months following this route before I even mention the BA procedure to my GP.

I think if you have taken all these routes first you then have a clear arguement to be referred, and if your GP won't ask to see another GP, explain that you understand it is not always funded, but you would like a referral to be sure as THERE IS cases that are accepted and without trying you will never no.

Dont feel embarrassed by seeing another GP if your personal GP will not refer you. All they have to do is write a letter explaining your situation, and if you have tried everything else FIRST and you are still no better, then as per the NHS website you meet the requirements to be referred at least.


One thing I do advise is not just to go straight in asking for a BA, do start with councelling, because some cases can be fixed by this, and also this way if it doesnt work at least you started at the beginning. It will look like you have chosen you BA as a last choice rather than the first.

Hope this helps. xx

It took ages for me to get mine but i was so dertermined I kept going back and said I wasnt going anywhere until I was considered!

I wish I'd went to my GP sooner... Feel like I've lost so many years because of stressing about my boobs (or lack thereof) but I guess everything happens for a reason. Maybe mentally I wasn't ready for BA a few years ago etc? Who knows. Just hope I get them fixed this year! xxx

Tiara if you'd had went earlier like i did (i first raised the issue when i was 18) they prob would have told you to wait a bit to see if they grow naturally, because at that age theres still a chance u can be a late starter. they wouldnt have done and surgeries on you put that way so i wouldnt worry about having gone earlier