Lily Porter, 21, from Retford, Nottinghamshire, has been denied a breast reduction on the NHS despite her 36NN breasts causing severe health issues, including sepsis. The care assistant and mother of one says her breasts weigh five stone, contributing to constant pain, skin tearing, and infection.
Ms Porter, who weighs 17 stone, claims that around 30% of her body weight is in her breasts, each weighing 2.5 stone. The NHS has refused surgery due to her high BMI, but she argues that most of her weight is in her breasts and that she meets all other criteria for the procedure.
In September 2025, Ms Porter developed sepsis after an infection caused by skin tearing from the weight of her breasts. She spent five days in hospital and remains on antibiotics, with the infection persisting. Doctors have warned she could die if the infection returns.
Ms Porter has been bullied since school, where she was teased about her breasts, and had to give up football at age 13. She now struggles to find bras, which cost £55 each and cause shoulder pain. Her local MP, Jo White, has written to the NHS on her behalf.
An NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire spokesperson said: 'We are sorry to hear about Lily’s situation. Unfortunately, we have strict guidelines about which procedures are funded on the NHS. This is to ensure we can be consistent.'
