Tubular breasts on the NHS...

your welcome! just keep us posted and good luck! =)

Go to as many consultations and surgeons you can go to before deciding on anything...every surgeon has a different opinion and results will vary according to their experience...dont give up, you will know which one is the right surgeon for you when you meet them and see their work...good luck xxx

Thank you, everyone, for your advice and enouragement! Just got back from my appointment with my GP to ask for a 2nd opinion. Basically, her answer was that the NHS does not offer 2nd opinions when it comes to surgery that's being funded by the NHS. However, she was very sympathetic and printed out a copy of the letter my surgeon wrote to her following my consultation.

I'll be honest, I'm feeling a bit more faith in his opinion now that I've read it, maybe because I was so nervous during the consulation or something. I'll summarise the letter here, although if anyone can tell me what this statement means I'd be very grateful:

"Both breasts are hypoplastic and deficiency particularly in the inferior pole....She has nipple herniation with some constriction but minimal evidence of tuberous breasts."

The rest of the letter basically says I have a complex case, and that although a two-stage process would improve the nipple herniation, I have enough breast tissue to go ahead with an augmentation without the nipples being a big problem. He then goes on to say that herniation improves with time and that I can always have more surgery at a later date.

What do you guys think? At this point I'm thinking I might as well get on with it, and once things have settled for a while post-op, then I can decide if I want to go ahead with another procedure on my nipples. After all, anything's better than what I've got now.

To make it short lovely, it basically means that your breasts are undeveloped with puffy nipples but not enough to suggest you have tuberous breast sweetness.

I'd personally go ahead and have your BA if that's what you want for yourself hun and like you said, if it doesn't correct the problem with your nipples you can look into that later. Or possibly discuss with surgeons their thoughts about your nipples and if they think it would be beneficial to have both BA and nipple done together than you can maybe get a discount having them both done at the same time. Xx

yea, you can always have another chat with him, ask for a follow up appt and discuss it with him further! most surgeons know what they are doing but some might just not explain it to you well enough, especially when you are nervous and might not be taking it all in!

I have a nurse appointment tomorrrrow and surgery xmas eve hopefully so i can tell you all the details! =) x

Thanks, ladies! I've got his secretary's number now, so I'll maybe ask for another appointment when I call to let them know I won't be available for sugery until late June at the earliest.

And that's good news, laura! Have you got your sports bra already? And what exactly happens at a nurse appointment? Let us know how it goes! xx

no sports bra yet, will sort that out soon! i dunno what will happen, i need to bring urine! i am scared I will have to have a bloodtest =S hopefully if they do they can do it in my hand and numb me. yuck yuck. i will let you know what happens!

HI everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy new year as well :)

Just another update on things. Got my surgery date a couple of weeks ago but I had to turn it down. It was to have been the 15th January, but I asked to have it moved back 6 months to coincide with my finishing university. However, they said that I'd have to be taken off the waiting list but that I should call back in 6 months and have myself put back on the list.

All in all this made me sad, but at least it gives me time to have another consult with a different surgeon. I've been recommended to see a different surgeon who specialises in asymmetry and tuberous breasts. Still waiting to be referred to him by another GP (as I've totally lost faith in the one I saw last time, as she's been wrong about several things, not just refusing to refer me for a 2nd opinion) so I'm not totally despondent.

How are things going with you, Laura? Have you had your op yet?

Happy new year Heather :flowers:

Hopefully it will all turn for the better now then seeing as you weren't happy with the surgeon and you'll get a date that suits you better. :thumbs:

Nice to hear your update Heather. Xx

Hi Heather, yes get more opinions especially if you find a surgeon who is a specialist!
on the boobie front...

I have had my new boobies a week now and all is good, have been meaning to do a post and sort a phototrail out etc! didnt hurt too much at all and anaesthetic was all good which was the thing i was worried about and I havent even had 'morning boob'1 they are looking nice and even and a great size so happy but still have a tuberous look in one so will discuss nipple resize and reshape in feb when I see my surgeon again! =) I will defo try and write some stuff and sort things out for you all to have a peep if you want but its been manic as I was on placement til friday before xmas and the went in on the monday which was xmas even and had xmas to get through and we have bought a house so things to do with that and 2 assignments over the hols! blooming manic!

cant you call like a couple of months before you finish uni? the nhs said the same thing to me before as i went travelling but then they sent me a date when i said i was away... ! and then my mum rang to explain and they gave me a date for just after i got home so i really dont know why they said i had to ring when i was actually home!

Hey I have just been told i have Tubular Breasts...I wasn’t surprised as I’m so small, funny as i don’t need to wear a bra as i don’t fill one! Glad there recommending surgery!!



Anyone found there nipples look a lot bigger after BA??

Wow, it's been so long since I last posted on here! Apologies, ladies, I've been caught up with exams, finishing uni and moving out of Aberdeen, so I haven't had much time to think about surgery.

Happily, though, I went for a consultation with a different surgeon in May and am now on the waiting list to have my surgery sometime within the next 6 months!  Even though the waiting time for surgery on the NHS is supposed to be no longer than 12 weeks I have to wait longer because the surgeon wants to operate on me himself instead of passing me off to a junior surgeon. Apparently I'm a complicated case, so I figure it's worth the wait if it means I'm guaranteed to have an experienced surgeon!

Regarding the consultation itself, I brought my mother along this time and I'd definitely recommend bringing someone along if you're nervous, because then you can discuss things afterwards. Obviously that's only if you feel comfortable with that, but I thought it's worth saying all the same!

My surgeon said we'd speak about post-op care and other things once I have my surgery date, so I guess all my questions will seem very silly. But I'd like to know what I'm in for, at least in terms of the first few weeks after surgery. I know it will be painful and my mobility will be restricted but I'd love to hear some of you ladies' post-op stories, especially if you've also gone the NHS-route! 

Hi heather :) havnt spoken before but really happy to hear your news! It's great that your surgeon wants to fix your boobies himself so at least your with someone who cares, even if it means the wait is a little bit longer!! Look forward to hearing when your date will be after a long journey! Xx

I definitely recommend belvia bras! you can get a 3 pack for cheaper than a post op one! I am still wearing mine now as they are amazingly comfy and give such a nice shape and you can wear 2 instead of a sports bra- much better than my old sports bra too! they are easy to get on as you can step into them too when uve had ur op! xx

Thanks Laura, I'll be sure to check them out, they sound ideal. It takes me forever to get into my sports bra at the moment so I'd hate to think of the extra hassle once I'm post-op. How're your new breasts coming along?

And hi, jennifer! Really loving all the support on this site xx

P.s. Just realised I forgot to say my surgeon's name is Dr Tadros in case anyone else is looking for a surgeon in the Aberdeen area!

they are good thanks, just cant wait for my appointment in a few weeks for stage 2!

Hi Heatherbell,

I have been reading through your posts.  I am also in a similar position to you with tubular breasts and have recently been accepted by my PCT for surgery through the NHS. I have found it difficult not having much of a say on the procedure as it is not at all what I would expect or want, but i would rather have it sorted than have nothing at all and I am remaining hopeful it will all be good in the end!

Let us know how your journey is going. I will be sure to keep you posted on mine too. It is very reassuring reading through this forum and knowing that others can relate and are in a similar position to you.

Good luck

Wow I'm really terrible at replying promptly, aren't I? Oops... Anyway, thanks for your support, sjelly! How are things working out with your boob-journey? I'm stiiiiill waiting and hoping for an early cancellation so I don't have to wait for surgery in November!

I know exactly how you feel about the lack of control, but it's important to remember that you have a right to be heard and that you have a right to demand whatever you want from the procedure because these are your BOOBS! Hope I'm not over-stepping my bounds when I say it doesn't sound like you're very happy with the procedure your surgeon's worked out for you (though of course I could be wrong!). I think sometimes surgeons forget how invasive and personal a breast op can be sometimes, so it's important to find a surgeon who is considerate of your wishes. 

Basically, I suppose I'm trying to say that I'm glad this thread helps people going down the NHS-surgery route.

It's fine. I'm also in the same position. I called up yesterday as I was unsure what was going on, but they told me I have to go in for surgery before mid Nov, just no date yet. They only put on the system that I am available at short notice yesterday even though I had told them this at the very begining 

In terms of my breasts, I am nervous because it involves lipo and a fat graft which wasn't suggested at any of my private consultations and I absolutely hate the thought of it. I am happy with the surgeon as he is one of the top reconstructive breast surgeons in the UK, but I am disappointed because I spoke to him very briefly (he was in the room only a couple of minutes then left as the Registrar was doing the consult with me). I discussed how I would rather not have a fat graft with the nurse at my pre-op, but she said they always do it and it's best for me. It's like you either agree with it or get nothing done at all, so I'm going along with it. None of it makes much sense to me in all honesty. The procedure isn't very clear at all in the letter. It's more like: we may do this, but we may do this and we may do this....
The next opportunity to speak to the surgeon will be on the day of my op and that terrifies me because I have many questions and had no idea I only see him once.

Enough of my rambling, but you're right I think they do forget. I also hope it helps others, although I have probs scared some people off!

My surgeon wanted me to have a fat graft too but i said i would rather get implants and he said ok- just drop the buzz word of 'patient choice'... =)

Oh did you get the choice of fat injection or implants on nhs? That's what my consultant said to me

Thanks Laura. I simply do not want the fat graft at all.

Victoria - I'm set to have both. First stage will be a fat graft to pad out my left breast with uplift for both. Second stage is implants under the muscle. Which are you having? x

Ah really. Im not sure which yet as I've still not completely been accepted. Only had 1 consultation but I go back in October. I was offered either implant or fat injection in left (my smaller) and an uplift in right. But to be honest I would rather have implants in both breasts x

Ok how's this for an update? I'm lying in bed waiting for my surgery which should be sometime within the next few hours. I'm getting implants over the muscle and they're going to try to free the constricting tissueunder my breasts and around my nipples. 

I'm nervous as hell because I get acne on my chest and, even though it's been clearly visible at all of my consults and in my photos, no one mentioned itmight be a problem. So, to counter the risk of infection I've been pumped full of antibiotics and now I just hope they be enough to minimize the risk of infection. I've also been given an injection in my stomach but I'm not sure what that was for. The nurses are nice but busy, and I'm trying to stay positive. All the same, I'd really appreciate your thoughts and prayers to help with my nerves! See you all on the other side!

Aww heather so happy for you that your having your surgery!!! Your be fine :) remember all of the women that have already had their BA, you can do this too and your in excellent hands!! Tonight when you fall asleep your have boobies!looking forward to an update and I will be thinking of you! Xx