For Leah, a 28-year-old family practitioner from Manchester and mother to two young boys, welcoming her children brought joy, but also unexpected physical challenges.
After giving birth to her first child in August 2023 and her second in June 2025, Leah found that the changes to her body – particularly her breast size – were beginning to affect both her comfort and her confidence.
Petite in build, Leah had always felt her breasts were slightly out of proportion with the rest of her frame. After becoming a mother, that difference became more pronounced.
"After having my boys, they got much bigger."
“I’d always had quite a bigger chest for my size,” she explains. “I’m naturally quite petite, so I used to wear very minimalist bras just to flatten my chest a little bit. After having my boys, they just became a lot heavier and bigger, and it became much harder to hide.”
Everyday parenting tasks, lifting her babies, leaning over for night feeds, and keeping up with two small children, began to take a real toll, leaving Leah uncomfortable and self-conscious.
“There’s a lot of running around after your children,” Leah says. “I started to feel insecure during some activities and would sometimes ask my partner to do them instead.”
Alongside the emotional discomfort, Leah also experienced genuine physical strain.
“My upper back would really ache,” she says. “I would notice shooting and tingling pains, and I used to have dents in my shoulders where my bras would dig in because I needed the extra support.”
“What does it teach my kids, seeing me hide myself?”
Alongside these challenges, Leah also began reflecting on the example she was setting for her children. “I thought to myself, what does that do for my children, seeing their mum hiding herself?” she says. “I want my kids to grow up thinking you can feel confident in your body and do what you want without worrying what people think.”
That reflection became a turning point for Leah. She considered both NHS and private options for surgery in the UK but decided not to proceed.
“I didn't go to the NHS in England just because the waiting time is so long, and half the time you don't get accepted. In the UK, the prices were close to £8,000–£9,000, and I couldn't afford it.”
“The whole experience was really smooth.”
After spending time researching her options, she decided to undergo a breast reduction and lift, arranged through Longevita, a UK-registered medical travel facilitator that arranges treatments with accredited independent surgeons.
She planned the procedure towards the end of her maternity leave, explaining: “I thought it was the right time because I was already off work.”
Leah says careful research was an important part of her decision. She looked into surgeon experience, hospital accreditation, and patient reviews before committing, and ultimately paid under £3,000 in total, with her flights included.
“The whole experience was really smooth, friendly but professional at the same time. My surgeon was very knowledgeable. I actually wanted to go down another size, but after hearing his advice about what would suit my body, I listened to him. Looking back now, he was absolutely right.”
The support continued once she returned to the UK, with Longevita helping her relay questions to the surgeon during recovery.
“I’m a mum, but still Leah”
A few months after the procedure, Leah says the change has had a noticeable impact on everyday life with her sons, making activities like swimming or going to the park easier and more enjoyable, free from concerns about her appearance.
For Leah, the experience has also reinforced the importance of self-care alongside motherhood.
“I always remind myself, you’re a mum, but at the same time you’re still Leah."
“Check the hospitals, surgeons, and reviews"
Her advice to other mothers considering a similar step is clear and practical: take your time, do thorough research, and make the decision for the right reasons. Leah emphasises the importance of feeling confident and informed before proceeding.
“Check the hospitals, the surgeons, and the reviews carefully. It’s about making sure you feel safe and supported every step of the way.”
Ultimately, Leah believes feeling comfortable in her own body has helped her embrace motherhood more freely.
"Your children look to you as their role model"
As Mother’s Day approaches, Leah’s story shows that true motherhood isn’t just about giving to your children, it’s about embracing your body and confidence so you can be your best self, for both you and them.
Results vary between patients. All surgical procedures carry potential risks and patients are encouraged to discuss these fully during their pre-operative consultation.