A mum is fundraising for a private breast reduction because her 44L breasts give her back pain so severe she “can’t even do the school run”.
Jacqui Fowler, 34, from Luton, Bedfordshire, says she is in agony every day but claims to have been refused a breast reduction on the NHS as her BMI is too high.
She currently weighs 15st 11lbs and wears a dress size 22 or 24, depending on the clothing brand.
Unfortunately, however, the 5ft tall mum-of-one says losing weight is impossible as she can’t exercise due to her debilitating back pain.
Her partner, not named for privacy reasons, has to do the school run for her eight-year-old daughter so that Jacqui can conserve her energy to get through the day.
“I’ve always had back problems and I’ve been diagnosed with sciatica due to my big bust,” Jacqui told Jam Press.
“I also suffer from fibromyalgia.
“Mild exercise like walking would be helpful but at the moment I’m just trying to survive every day in so much pain.
“In the past, I have tried vigorous exercise to lose weight but I find it difficult to run or jump as my breasts bounce up and down.
“I can’t find bras that support me enough.”
Jacqui was an early developer, wearing at E cup when she was just 13 years old, which would often make her the target of cruel bullies.
She said: “I had a horrible time of it at school with bullies taunting me about my chest and the boys would try to grab me and dare each other to touch my breasts.
“I felt very isolated at school and that has carried over into adulthood. I am at home a lot because I’m so self-conscious.”
Jacqui’s boobs now weigh a stone each and her bras cost £80 or more.
She said: “It is painful and expensive having breasts this large.
“I have been back and forth to the doctors for years and I’ve been sent away with pain killers and I’ve even had hydrotherapy.
“Ultimately though the cause of the pain needs to be addressed and that’s my bust.
“The doctors have applied for funding about four or five times now, but each time it was rejected.
“The first time, they said it was because they didn’t have proof of what other methods of treatment I’ve tried for the pain, such as physiotherapy and back braces.
“Second time, we tried with all the information they asked for but they rejected it, as they didn’t have any evidence to prove that it was causing rashes and pain.
“They then rejected it because my BMI was too high and had to be stable at 27 for a year.
“I feel so upset – they just seem to be giving excuse after excuse.
“I’ve had an operation to remove my gallbladder, so I know it’s not because they think it’s dangerous.
“I can’t exercise because of my breasts and I’m depressed. I also feel that because I’m overweight, I’m being discriminated against.”
In a bid to have the operation privately, Jacqui is now trying to raise £8,000 to get breast reduction surgery.
She added: “I’ve tried asking my family for help and approaching charities with no luck.
“I’ve also looked into private loans but I can’t afford the repayments.
“All I want is to move around more freely without horrible pain.
“I also want to blend into the crowd in the street instead of always being leered at and stared at by men.
“If I wear summer dresses or strappy tops I see men nudging each other to look.
“I don’t want this attention, I just want to live a normal comfortable life.”
Jam Press has contacted the NHS for comment.
