Erika Contu, 34, who works as an operating theatre worker and lives in Bury St Edmunds, is appealing for help to fund breast reduction surgery after being refused treatment on the NHS.
Ms Contu says the pain from her size 42JJ chest is so severe that it radiates into her shoulders, neck, and head, sometimes causing her to vomit.
She told The Sun: “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.
“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.”
She was refused treatment on the NHS (Image: Erika Contu/GoFundMe)
The pain has also affected her work, as she is unable to fit into X-ray protective gowns, resulting in her being asked to leave the room during procedures.
She said: “It’s embarrassing, I can’t provide the care that I need to my team and the patients and that’s what is worst for me.”
Ms Contu has also developed painful rashes and bleeding under her breasts and says the size of her chest is impacting her mental health.
Despite losing 1st 5lbs using the weight-loss medication Mounjaro, she is still unable to meet the NHS BMI criteria for surgery.
Ms Contu says she still has more than 6st to lose before she would shift her BMI to the NHS target of 27.
She has lost weight to try to meet the BMI criteria for surgery (Image: Erika Contu/GoFundMe)
She has now launched a fundraising campaign to raise the £5,500 needed for private surgery.
She added: “I don’t want to go out, I didn’t know what else to do and that’s why I opened the GoFundMe.”
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.”