Hello,
I've just signed up here as I don't know where else to turn to, I just know I will never be happy if I can't find a solution.
Last year I took the plunge and decided to ask the NHS for Help (I am based in the UK). I am severely underdeveloped to the point there is nothing out there to fit my chest size, not even the "My First Bra's" for children fit. I've been extremely self conscious about it all my life - Sure I've been bullied for it, I still get comments for it to this day (I'm 27) as a 'joke', however it's mostly to do with how it affects me personally in a lot of aspects other people can't seem to understand. I have never been in a relationship, I don't have friends, I don't go out or on holiday, I wear coats in 30-40 degree celsius weather to cover up how flat I am no matter how hot I get, I can't go anywhere without at least a baggy hoody on, I see clothes I like and I can't get them because I know they wont fit or will make me look like an 8 year old, it's destroyed my confidence as a person - I've never met anyone remotely close to having as small breasts as me; My Sternum is the most outward part of my chest. I've already wasted what should be the best years of my life by waiting so long to mention it and I'd do anything to look like my own gender adult, rather than an 8 year old in baggy adult clothing.
I asked the NHS to look into why I am so underdeveloped - it's certainly not a genetic factor. So they did a blood test after I asked them to see if it might be hormone related because I don't have periods very frequently (but when I do they hurt a LOT), and obviously am very flat, so they agreed and my test came back with low estrogen levels, but they told me because they can't determine what stage I was at in my cycle (because my cycle isn't normal), that it's probably fine. So I said ok, then what's next.
They put in an IFR for breast augmentation for me in order to get surgery - they did tell me they may decline as it's not something offered on the NHS without extreme circumstances, however they agreed that I could qualify because of how flat I actually am. I got told a couple of days ago they've declined the IFR because there is breast tissue present (albeit barely any), and that my BMI is below 18.5. I am of very light build, and I probably am on the more thinner side, however I have been of healthy BMI previously in my life with no affect on my chest and I am otherwise healthy.
Needless to say, I was inconsolable when I got the news they said No. For me, I just will never be happy with my self image and never have confidence to have any kind of life because I can't get over how I look. One blood test and some in my eyes quite poor excuses, and they've destroyed any hope of me being happy with myself. Is anyone else going through or has gone through something similar?
I can't afford to go private, but surely there must be something we can do?