I was sixteen years old when I first went to the doctor to ask about having a breast reduction, and I was twenty-one when the funding was denied by the NHS because I ‘wouldn’t benefit from the surgery any more than someone from the general public’. I was having constant back pain, my shoulders were rubbed raw from my bra straps, and I often cried thinking about how unflattering I looked because of my breasts; so I knew that despite what the NHS said, if I wanted my quality of life to be improved, I needed a breast reduction.

I’d done a lot of research into breast reductions previously, and I knew all about the different types of surgery scars, possible complications, and a rough outline of the recovery process - but having only gone down the NHS route I’d never researched any private surgeons. I knew I wanted the hospital to be local enough for someone to drive me back home after my surgery, and that’s when I found Nuffield Health in Tunbridge Wells with their list of breast reduction consultants - and having looked through their profiles one by one, I settled on booking an initial consultation with Miss Victoria Teoh.

It was a little bit daunting - here I was, a young adult, absolutely desperate for someone to see just how much I needed this surgery and terrified of being told ‘no’ again, but Victoria was amazing. She and the nurse were very good to ensure that I felt comfortable to show the most embarrassing part of my body, and not even half an hour later Victoria could not only inform me of the specific scar type I would have and the complications that I may personally encounter, but she gave me a possible date for the surgery. For years and years I had been wanting this surgery and here I was, being told that I should definitely go home and think about it, but I could have the surgery within the next few months if I wanted to.

Victoria was very happy to see me again for a second consultation as my mother had some questions and worries of her own - she was concerned that three weeks wouldn’t be enough recovery time before our family summer holiday abroad - but we both left feeling reassured and with a closer surgery date that allowed for me to have the full six weeks of recovery before the holiday.

And then the day I had been waiting for came – 17th May 2023. I made sure not to eat and drink past a certain time as per the instructions, and I arrived early at the hospital with my mother. Things didn’t go to plan, however, as I was too dehydrated and suffered from an intense dizzy episode. I was distraught when I was told that the surgery couldn’t go ahead, but Victoria was yet again fantastic at not only comforting me, but immediately rescheduling the surgery to only a few days later and ensuring I had a room booked for an extra overnight stay so that I could be attached to a drip to stay hydrated before my surgery.

So then, a few days later than anticipated but nevertheless, my surgery went ahead and four or so hours later I woke up with a quite literal weight off my shoulders and a sleepy smile on my face.

I was also glad to know that my fear of feeling ‘not in my body’ due to the sudden change of something that I had become accustomed to for a while didn’t come true (like when you cut your hair too short and it doesn’t look like you anymore). In fact, it felt like I was finally in the body that I dreamt about - one that made me feel as though I finally belonged.

The recovery process wasn’t painless (and those first few days of recovery while simultaneously getting used to the compression bra were certainly beyond uncomfortable) but it was without complication - sensory wise I struggled with the compression bra and the itching the most, but even then I didn’t once regret having the surgery. The stitches I had didn’t need to be removed, and I only had to check in with Victoria for tape replacement and to make sure the scars were healing nicely.

And then, a little less than six weeks later, I was on holiday, wearing new bikinis that didn’t cost a fortune to buy online, and that fit me and supported my amazing new breasts in a way that I had never experienced before (especially not in 30oC heat!)

Six months later and my breasts have settled into a natural shape that suits my body, and I’ve gone from a 32JJ cup to a 32E. My scars are still visible – and look exactly as you would expect scars to look - but they are looking less red day-by-day (although I wouldn’t have cared if they were bright blue, I still would have chosen to get the surgery!). I have a whole new selection of bras, and I no longer wear stupidly-oversized tops to try and hide my breasts. I am proud of them, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing work of Victoria, the specialist nurse Val, and the care of the nurses at Nuffield Hospital.