“I was 19 when I had breast reduction surgery, and before that I didn’t even know it was an option. I thought that I was just going to have to deal with these huge boobs that caused me so much pain - I just assumed that was my destiny,” influencer and content creator Nelly London tells Cosmopolitan via a phone chat.
Nelly’s followers will likely be familiar with her breast reduction journey. During an interview with the BBC earlier this year, she revealed that her body essentially “rejected” her surgery, leaving her with open wounds and needing multiple extra surgeries to close the tissue.
Sadly, the follow-up surgery didn’t correct the issue, and Nelly tells us: “My entire chest was open. Not one of the wounds, not one of the stitches had held.”
This led to her having to undergo wound treatment, which meant seeing nurses to redress her wounds every three days for around seven months. Now, nearly eight years on, she’s had multiple surgeries and is potentially looking into more one day. But despite the trauma of her experience, she tells us she doesn't regret the initial choice to have the surgery.
“It was so horrific, and I ended up spending so much money on all of it - It was more than double what I thought it would be," she explains. "It was so much more healing than I thought, it took years and years, and I'm still not really done with the reconstruction of those scars. But I would do it again because the freedom of having boobs that you can be yourself with is still worth it.”
Nelly was an HH cup before her surgery, and felt overwhelmed with the size of her boobs, along with the pain they brought her.
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“Although it's just a small part of your body, it contains all of you,” she explains. “My decision to get a reduction was about finding clothes and doing things as basic as exercise, but it was also about feeling like you don't have two massive weights physically weighing you down on the front of your body.
“I felt like I entered the world boobs first, because that's what people see - and as much as I could cover them and wear baggy clothes, people know you as the person with really big boobs. It was so awful. When they were gone, I just felt like me."
Nelly says it wasn't just the psychological side of her that suffered as a result of being big-breasted, but the physical too. "My back is still permanently damaged from having such big boobs for so many years, and that will never go away," she says. "But the back issues and the back pain now, compared to what it was, is very very minimal."
Since speaking openly about her surgery, Nelly says she's had lots of messages from followers wondering whether they should also take the plunge.
"I tell them, make sure you feel comfortable with the practise and the surgeon. Even if you meet a surgeon and they have the best record in your area, the before and afters are amazing and you've heard wonderful things about their work; if you get there and you just don't feel comfortable - go with that feeling," she advises.
"When it comes to deciding whether it's right for you, if you think about it every day - if it's in your head all day every day and it affects every decision you make - then I would say go for it. If once or twice a week you think, 'This top might look better with smaller boobs,' then I'd say really think about it, and make sure you're doing it for the right reasons."
Things to know before breast reduction surgery
If you're considering breast reduction surgery, it's always best to do as much research as possible first and give yourself the time to properly think the decision through. Remember: it's your body and your choice. Dr Davood Fallahdar, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at EF Medispa tells Cosmopolitan that there should be checks from a doctor before any decision is made.
"Before surgery, your surgeon will examine your breasts and take some photos for your medical records. They’ll usually ask if you want someone with you during the examination and will also take some measurements such as your height, weight etc to make sure it’s safe to do an operation. Remember:
Not all breasts are symmetrical
Breasts are not always naturally symmetrical and many women are seeking a natural result which evens out their breasts. Breast asymmetry occurs when one breast appears different in its size, projection or position. It is extremely common and affects over half of all women.
There are risks
As with all surgery there are risks. Providing you chose a qualified and experienced surgeon these are low, however they still need to be considered and include:
- Scarring
- Heavy bleeding
- Infections
- Pain and swelling
- Fluid collection
- Sensation changes
You should always look for a surgeon who is properly trained on the specialists General Medical Council register. A breast reduction is never an urgent operation, so never feel pressured into accepting a deal or offer for an operation if you’re not 100% sure. If you’re not then look elsewhere or give it time to think about it.
Is breast reduction surgery free on the NHS?
This completely varies, depending on whether you fit into the eligibility criteria decided by your local clinical commissioning group (CCG). Some CCGs do not fund breast reduction surgery at all, while others fund it for certain people who fulfil criteria.
Generally, this criteria tends to deduce whether you have suffered problems caused by very large breasts, such as:
- Backache
- Shoulder or neck pain
- Skin irritation
- Grooves on the shoulders from bra straps
- Psychological distress
- An inability to exercise or play sports
You can find out what the eligibility criteria are in your area from your GP or by contacting your local CCG.
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