Breastfeeding mums have a hard time from the start. The first few weeks are grueling, the nights are long, and the soreness is unrivaled. Eventually, it gets easier – and then there’s the struggle to stop! But there’s an issue with breastfeeding that we’re not talking about. And it raises the question, should breastfeeding mothers be offered a boob job on the NHS?
The stats show that breastfeeding has been on an upwards rise over the last 15 years or so in the UK. There’s also evidence to show that mothers are breastfeeding longer as well.
In fact, breastfeeding an older baby in the UK is not as unusual as people may think. Although statistics are scarce, anecdotal evidence suggests that up to 70,000 babies a year continue to receive breastmilk after twelve months of age. WHO reports that the world average duration of breastfeeding is 4.2 years.
https://www.nct.org.uk
As mothers, we’re often bombarded with all the facts about the benefits of breastfeeding for the infant, and we’re happy to make the sacrifices for a few years to give them the best start we can. But what about after that? How deep is the sacrifice really?
I Polled Over 350 Women Who’ve Breastfed…
… and who’ve weaned their children after long spells of breastfeeding, about how they felt about their bodies. More specifically, I asked them their opinions about boob jobs.
Would they want one? What type? What would hold them back from getting one? Or are they happy as they are…
I really didn’t know if the poll would even get much attention, but I was surprised at the results and the spirited discussion that formed in the comments section below it! Here are some of the findings;
A staggering 77% of the women asked, said that they either want surgery or like the idea of surgery but are put off by certain factors.
Those factors include things such as cost, recovery time, or fear of going under the knife.
32% Said they would opt for a breast uplift, while only 4.8% said they want implants.
Only 2% said they feel that they’d like a breast reduction following breastfeeding.
What the Results Reveal
To me, one of the most interesting things that the results show is that many of the mums asked, said they want uplift surgeries rather than implants. This suggests that all women want post-weaning is to have their figures restored to a similar state that they were in prior to breastfeeding.
They’re not asking for anything extra, or an enhanced, artificial version of the female form. It’s less about aesthetics and more about comfort and damage repair.
So in this circumstance, should breast uplift surgery be available on the NHS?
Is it Ever Possible to Get a Boob Job on The NHS?
Typically, if you want a boob job on the NHS, the chances are slim that you’ll get one. The NHS website states a few reasons why you might be able to be granted breast surgery without having to pay privately;
- If you have very uneven breasts or no breasts
- If you’re feeling very distressed about the size of your breasts
- If they are causing problems like backache
- As part of reconstructive surgery after breast cancer treatment
Many mothers who’ve breastfed for a long period will report problems such as sagging, loose skin, and loss of breast tissue. Surely this is on a level with ‘uneven breasts or no breasts’…?
As for the feelings of distress mentioned – who decided how quantifiable or how significant a person’s distress is? The results of my poll certainly suggest that the women are unhappy with their appearance – enough to want to do something about it. If it’s negatively impacting their self-esteem, or their relationships with their partners, does that count?
The average cosmetic breast surgery in the UK will set someone back anywhere from £3,000 – £9,000. Not a sum that every average household can afford.
If you have ever approached your GP to enquire about breast surgery on the NHS, or you’re thinking of it, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below with your experience!
