Petite student, 21, with giant J-cup ‘OAP boobs’ denied NHS reduction because her ‘breasts are just saggy’

A PETITE student burdened with "the breasts of a 60-year-old" was unable to get a breast reduction on the NHS because her size J boobs weren't "big enough" and "saggy".

Yasmine Ben-Omar suffers such agonising back pain she says she's been forced to fork out £100 a month on massages just to be able to function under the crushing weight of her chest.

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Frustrated by her "saggy" boobs and the unwelcome attention she receives from strangers, the 21-year-old lost 4st, going from a size 14 to a slinky size 10.

Despite managing to reduce her bust size from a 34JJ to a 30J, Yasmine was still unhappy so booked a GP appointment to discuss getting a breast reduction on the NHS.

In January, after a four-month waiting list, the 5ft 5in Manchester Metropolitan University student was seen by a consultant at the Northern Manchester General Hospital.

It was there the marketing student claims she was denied the reduction surgery on the NHS because her boobs were not "big enough" and "saggy"; - and that she needed a breast lift instead.

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Yasmine, cruelly dubbed the "girl with the big boobs" by school bullies, says she's been left with no choice but to fundraise for the op so she can live a pain-free life.

The student, from Brighton in East Sussex, said: "I started puberty really early on, I started developing breasts at the age of nine in primary school.

"Everyone else was pre-pubescents and I just looked really out of place. Even in primary school people made fun of me because I looked so different.

"I've always had droopy boobs and people would point them out and say they were saggy.

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"I felt too insecure to join in on PE and was always trying to hide them with my arms so people wouldn't look.

"They kept growing, at 15 they were around a 34JJ.

"My back pain really started then and as the years went on it just got worse. I would always struggle to find bras that fit in high street shops.

"I remember boys would say a lot of weird things and would describe me as the 'girl with the big boobs' and girls would make remarks.

"Last year I decided to go to the NHS about it after I felt like I had tried everything. I just couldn't cope with the pain anymore.

"I have to get deep tissue massages twice a month just to be able to function as my back hurts so much.

"My GP was supportive and tried to get me to my appointment with the consultant.

"At the consultant appointment, I went into the room and the surgeon took one look at me and said that my boobs weren't big and they were just saggy.

The surgeon took one look at me and said that my boobs weren't big and they were just saggy

Yasmine Ben-Omar

"I fit all the requirements but they wouldn't have any of it. She said I need to go private and get a breast lift as they don't do this on the NHS.

"A breast lift would make them look less saggy but it wouldn't help with the heaviness of them or the pain.

"It felt horrible because I was trying to tell her what I was struggling with and they didn't listen."

According to the NHS, the availability for breast reduction surgery on the NHS varies depending on the eligibility criteria decided by the local integrated care board (ICB) and some don't offer this service at all.

Patients might be considered for a breast reduction on the NHS if having larger breasts caused backache, shoulder pain, skin irritation, psychological distress and the inability to exercise.

Pain is not Yasmine's only struggle...

As well as dealing with constant pain, Yasmine says she struggles to shop on the high street for clothes that fit and on the rare occasion she can work out, has to wear two sports bras.

After enduring cruel comments at school, Yasmine says she's now regularly objectified by blokes due to her larger bust and has been ridiculed online and at the gym by the opposite sex.

She also says dating is tricky as she's never sure whether a man is attracted to her as a person or her chest.

Yasmine said: "Exercising is really hard because I can't do any high intensity stuff. I also can't find gym clothes that fit me right.

"I have had creepy experiences at the gym of men coming up to me and saying weird things.

"It's made me feel really horrible. Even from primary school I would get creepy comments, even as a little kid.

I have insecurities about my boobs...I'm 21 but have the breasts of someone who is 60

Yasmine Ben-Omar

"I've always been made to feel ashamed with my body that something is wrong with me.

"I always felt so odd about myself and out of place and uncomfortable, it's not a nice feeling.

"I've had a lot of online creeps as well. People have taken photos I've posted of myself online in forums and discussed my breasts.

"It makes me not want to post online and not want to be seen and just cover them up.

"When someone talks to me [I think] 'are they just talking to me because they have a weird fetish for my breasts?' It makes me question whether they like me for me or not.

"It puts me off dating. I have insecurities about my boobs too, I'm 21 but have the breasts of someone who is 60."

If I don't get the surgery I will probably end up with crippling back problems in the future, which will cost the NHS more to fix

Yasmine Ben-Omar

Since her consultation, the marketing student says she has since submitted an appeal against her refused NHS reduction surgery and is now fundraising to undergo a private breast reduction.

Yasmine said: "A breast lift would just make my boobs look nicer without a bra but this won't help me with my issues.

"In the UK it would cost me £10,000, which is just unrealistic for me.

"It would mean so much for me to get this surgery as it's all I've ever wanted since I can remember.

"All I want is to feel normal and not be in pain 24/7 and not to feel harassed or uncomfortable around men.

"If I don't get the surgery I will probably end up with crippling back problems in the future, which will cost the NHS more to fix."

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A spokesperson for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust said: "Ms Ben-Omar has contacted MFT Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALs) team and PALS will be in contact with Ms Ben-Omar to discuss next steps."

A spokesperson for NHS Greater Manchester said: "NHS funding for breast reduction surgery is determined on a case-by-case basis, based on clinical need. When making these decisions, there are clinical assessments by consultants and specialists who determine the most appropriate course of treatment by assessing it against an eligibility criteria set out by our commissioning policy.

"We understand the challenges and distress that can arise from concerns about breast size and the potential impact it can have on both physical and emotional wellbeing. If Yasmine feels her condition has not been properly assessed or is not happy with the advice she has received, we would encourage her to follow the appeals process.

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"We are aware that waiting times for consultations and treatments can be a challenge, and we continue to work towards reducing these waiting periods to ensure patients receive timely care."

To donate to Yasmine's GoFundMe, click .