What are the rules about having cosmetic surgery on the NHS?
My breasts have always been very big, and I’m so self-conscious about them that I’ve become round-shouldered because I hunch forward to hide them. My back and shoulders ache constantly and I have no self-confidence, but my GP says breast reduction is cosmetic surgery and can’t be done on the NHS. Cosmetic surgery isn’t routinely available on the NHS, but there are several exceptions. These include correcting congenital abnormalities, such as cleft lip; improving disfiguring scars resulting from injury; and sometimes correcting physical problems that cause significant psychological distress. Ask your GP about a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist who could assess you and support your request for a breast reduction to improve your mental wellbeing. Alternatively, since your posture causes you pain, you may be eligible on physical, not just cosmetic, grounds – a similar example would be unsightly varicose veins that cause severe aching in your legs. Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeepi
