An NHS worker says she desperately needs a breast reduction, as she claims her size 42JJ boobs causes her so many problems, she even vomits due to the impact.
Erika Contu says she visited the NHS after having suffered back pain so severe it ‘radiates’ into her shoulders, neck and head, but claims she has been refused a nationally paid surgery.
The 34-year-old, who is an NHS operating theatre worker, says her life has become a daily routine of painkillers and sleep issues, which is due to her breast size.
However, she also says it impacts her work, as x-ray protective gowns will not fit around her chest, meaning she has to leave the room when x-rays are being performed as she cannot be adequately protected from the radiation.
Erika Contu says she wants her breasts to be ‘as small as possible’ (Kennedy)
In light of her nightmare, Erika says she needs the public’s help to fund lifechanging breast reduction surgery, explaining that she cannot use the NHS for it as her BMI is too high to qualify.
In a desperate attempt to shed the pounds, Erika claims she has had to resort to using the weight loss drug, Mounjaro, and has since dropped 1 stone and 5 pounds.
But she says she still needs to lose six more to allow her to qualify, as her BMI of 35 is higher than the NHS target of 27.
Erika, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said of her pain: “I’m in so much pain that I have to take [painkillers] daily. I can’t sleep properly because of the position – on my side, back or tummy are almost impossible to sleep, I have to turn all the time.”
She went on to say that exercise is painful, as she ‘can’t jump, I can’t run, even when lifting weights I have to be so careful because my back is so painful.’
Then there is the vomiting.
“The pain is awful. There are days when it goes into my shoulders, neck and into my head and I’m physically sick, it’s getting worse,” Erika said, and further claimed her special £70 bras leave her with bleeding rashes.
She explained her pain (Kennedy)
Calling it ‘no life for me’, Erika has since set up a fundraiser to help with the cost of undergoing breast reduction surgery via private healthcare.
Erika said: “I’ve lost weight, I lose inches everywhere but my breasts are still the same size. Most of my BMI is my breasts. I’m just short (5ft), that’s why my BMI is so high.”
She said of the impact her breasts are having on her: “I don’t want to go out, I didn’t know what else to do and that’s why I opened the GoFundMe.”
Erika his now trying to raise £5,500 and hopes it’ll leave her breasts ‘as small as possible’ so that she can ‘start living a normal life’.
Erika said: “It’s not about appearance, it’s about my pain. I don’t want to be in pain anymore, I want to be comfortable. It’s not about looking good, it’s the pain that I can’t deal with anymore.”
A spokesperson for NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We are sorry to hear about Ms Contu’s experience. While we cannot comment on individual cases, breast reduction surgery is available on the NHS in Norfolk and Suffolk where clinical criteria are met.
“Clinical criteria are based on national evidence and include a BMI threshold, because surgery carries a significantly higher risk of complications at a higher BMI and health outcomes are better when weight is stable.
“Where a patient’s circumstances are clinically exceptional, their clinician can apply for funding through an Individual Funding Request, which is considered by a clinical panel.
“We would encourage Ms Contu to discuss this with her GP, or to contact our Patient Experience Team if she would like us to look into her case further.”
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