Breast reduction surgery: Rotorua mother speaks of ‘life-changing’ results

Rotorua mother Laila Jeffries has spoken about the 'life-changing' breast reduction surgery she had in April. Photo / Megan Wilson

Rotorua mother Laila Jeffries had “life-changing” breast reduction surgery in April after 15 years of “fighting” to get it. Her breasts were reduced by 12 sizes and almost 3kg were removed. She can now sleep better, is no longer in pain, and can play sports. She tells reporter Megan Wilson why having surgery was the “best thing I ever did”.

The first thing Laila Jeffries did after having breast reduction surgery was lift up her top.

‘Oh my god, they’re beautiful,” she said of her new breasts.

“I was ecstatic ... I cried ... I’ll never ever forget it.”

The 35-year-old had breast reduction surgery in April at Waikato Hospital.

She spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post in 2023 about her battle to get the surgery, saying doctors sent several referrals in 15 years, all of them declined.

At one early consultation at Rotorua Hospital, she was told her Body Mass Index would mean her surgery would be declined, as her BMI classed her as “morbidly obese”. She recalled she was 67kg and told she needed to be 57kg.

She joined a gym to try and lose weight, but continued to be declined for surgery.

“We just kept going, year after year after year.”

In July 2022, she was told she had a pre-operation assessment at Waikato Hospital and was subsequently put on the surgery waitlist.

Rotorua mother Laila Jeffries pictured pre-surgery in 2023. Photo / Andrew Warner

Pre-surgery, she was “constantly” in pain and could not run or play sports. She wore bras that were too small for her, leaving her with sores and chafing, because she could not find a bra big enough at shops, nor afford a custom-made one.

Post-surgery, she is no longer in pain, can exercise, has bought bras that fit from the shops, and no longer has chafing “because there’s nothing to rub against”.

Jeffries has bilateral macromastia and her breasts have kept growing as she has aged, even when she lost weight.

When she was 18, she was an E cup. Before she had surgery, she was a K cup.

Post-surgery, she is an 18B cup.

‘They’re just perfect’

Jeffries said the five-and-a-half-hour operation involved three surgeons who had to “lift, tuck, shape” and reconstruct her breasts.

She was told it could take up to nine months to recover but had been “surprised” at how easy her recovery had been, given how much weight was taken from her breasts.

Jeffries praised her surgeons and said she had no side effects.

She only needed painkillers for a few days post-surgery and rested in bed for about four weeks as advised.

After six weeks, she was playing netball.

Rotorua mother Laila Jeffries is no longer in pain and can sleep more comfortably post-surgery. Photo / Megan Wilson

Jeffries said the surgery had helped her breathe more easily.

“I never knew I had breathing issues until I got up from surgery. I just breathed differently ... I felt clearer and less heavy.”

She also slept better and more comfortably.

“I just have more energy - it’s crazy what a pair of boobs does to you.”

The surgery also increased her confidence.

“I like having smaller boobs than everybody else now.

“They’re just perfect.”

‘Can’t wait to wear a bikini’

Jeffries - who lives with her husband and four children aged 9, 8, 6, and 1 - said her breasts would still grow due to her condition.

Since the surgery, she had noticed growth in one breast. However, she was not worried about it.

“If they grew excessively fast then yes, I would. But I don’t think I’ll ever need to have another surgery because my children are still young. I’ve got enough time to do what I want to do with them ... ”

Jeffries was looking forward to being more active and going to the gym.

She also coached her children’s futsal, netball, and touch rugby teams.

“I can’t wait to wear a bikini … I’ve not worn one since I was 13.”

Jeffries said she wished she could have had the surgery earlier and questioned why she had to wait 15 years.

After her six-week check-up, she filled out a form for the hospital to explain her experience and what the surgery can do for other women.

“I’d advocate for any woman that needs breast reduction surgery. It is life-changing, it is needed.”

Health NZ responds

In a statement, Health NZ group director of operations for Waikato Michelle Sutherland said referrals for publicly funded breast reduction surgery were individually assessed based on clinical acceptance criteria.

All decisions about surgery were based on a patient’s assessed level of clinical need and made on a case-by-case basis by clinical teams with patient safety and wellbeing the top priority, she said.

A national prioritisation tool that considered several factors was used, including the effect on personal wellbeing, the level of functional compromise, and “the likelihood and degree of significant deterioration in the next 12 months”.

Factors that could influence whether a referral was accepted include a patient’s Body Mass Index, smoking status, and clinical fitness for surgery.

“When a person does not meet the clinical threshold to see a specialist, they may be referred back to their GP or another health professional where their continued care is most appropriately managed.

“We recognise how frustrating it may be to have a referral declined and sympathise with those for whom this is the case.”

In Waikato, 37 patients had bilateral breast reduction surgery in the past two years.

As of November 18, three patients were waiting for bilateral breast reduction surgery.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.