The co-author of a study into breast reduction surgery says the public health system has to do a better job of getting women better access to the procedure.
The study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal has found district health boards have large waiting lists for reduction mammaplasty and the number of operations completed varies widely between regions.
Jeremy Simcock, co-author and senior lecturer in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Christchurch Hospital, says the procedure is often incorrectly labelled cosmetic surgery, but is comparable to knee reconstruction surgery for its life-changing benefits.
"We know in Canterbury that we have got certainly more than 300 women who would benefit from the operation and we are likely to only operate on 14 this year.
"These people have been referred by their GP for breast reduction surgery and we're not able to see them."
Mr Simcock says there is no point asking the Government for more money, but doctors and DHBs need to find ways to use existing funds to ensure more women get the surgery.
Karina McKenzie chose to have the operation done privately despite the cost and says she didn't even consider using the public health system.
Mrs McKenzie, who is 38 and lives in Napier, had her breasts reduced when she was 32 and says she has never regretted it.
She says the size of her breasts before surgery caused her chronic back pain and headaches as well as low self esteem.
Mrs McKenzie says no woman should have to put up with the pain and discomfort caused by excessively large breasts.