My Breast Reduction Story
80This story is about why I chose to have a breast reduction.
Why are won't they look at my face when they talk to me? This bra mom bought hurts and pinches, I don't know why she makes me wear it. These were all thoughts I had in my 5th grade year. I was painfully uncomfortable with the fact that boys and men would talk to me, while staring at my chest, I didn't understand why. Over the summer my breasts had grown and my mom bought me a training bra and it HURT! I was frustrated and sad everyday. I would go home and cry because I didn't know why everyone was staring at my chest.
The Middle School Years.
The growth didn't slow down, they were on their own mission. Grow, grow, and grow. And they did. I finally grew accustom to boys talking to my breasts. I had to wear shirts that were two sizes bigger than my small frame to accommodate these two growing monsters. I hated them. Phy-Ed was a horror story. I would run and they would bounce up and down on their own. I joined the cheer leading squad, only to be humiliated by the coach after she stated they would have to purchase a new cheer leading sweater for me, because there were no sizes that fit over me. Girls wouldn't talk to me. I got comments like, the boys only like you because you have boobs. Frustrated and sad, day after day, all because of my breasts!
High School - a bit better!
By the time I reached high school, the "girls" were still on a mission. I had also learned the fine art of sarcasm and I used it well. When the boys talked to my "girls", I would tell them, "I'm sorry, they won't talk back", "Look, but don't touch", "If you want to hold a conversation with me, look at my face". They finally got the hint! The girls jealousy still remained, yet I finally created friendships with girls who saw me and not the "girls". I was still wearing shirts and sweaters that were to big and tried as hard as I could to hide these monstrosities that were growing from my body.
The first date. This guy was so nice in school. Easy to talk to, fun to be around and he asked me to go out with him! I was thrilled, believing that he wanted to go on a date with me, not the boobs. Well, you know how that turned out. When he brought me home after our first date, we parked the car and the first thing he did....HE ASKED ME IF HE COULD FEEL THEM! I went inside my house and cried for hours. Date after date, similar incidents happened. Some guys just thought they could auto touch - but I was diligent, you either like me for me and not the "girls"!
Life Goes On, The Pain gets worse.
College life was much easier. Men still talked to my girls, but I ignored them. I figured if they were dumb enough to talk to my girls, they were a waste of my time. When I began working in the real world, the same things happened, grown men were now talking to my girls, men who were old enough to be my father.
The girls continued their growth. I continued to try and hide them. The pain they caused me both physically and mentally was no fun. I had deep indents on my shoulders and under my breast from the bra straps and under-wires. I began have terrible back pain and migraines. I lived with it, thinking what else can I do?
My future husband.
In the mid 80's I met a wonderful man. We dated for a long time before he even tried touching my breasts - and I thought for sure, he was the one. He liked me for me & not the girls! We eventually married and I was over the moon in love (still am). The pain, however, continued to get worse & I tried Physical Therapy and Chiropractors with no avail. My general doctor suggested I have a breast reduction. A what? He went on to explain in detail that I could have my breast's reduced to eliminate the pain & discomfort I felt on a day to day basis. The one drawback was, I might not be able to breastfeed if we had children. So I said no.
Baby girl & breastfeeding.
In early 1990 I gave birth to our first child. She was (and still is) amazing. I was determined to breastfeed her. When I first began feeding her, I thought my breast would smother her, I had to hold her on my lap for her to nurse, I could not hold her up close as the boobs were now milk filled and sat at my waist. We lived in a small town in rural Minnesota, I couldn't find a nursing bra that fit, again I was strapped into a bra that caused more pain than I thought I could have. I developed an infection in one breast, and unfortunately had to stop breast feeding. My big boobs once again were in the way. I hoped and prayed that after I lost my baby weight, that the boobs would also loose weight. I made it back down to 112 pounds and 1 cup size bigger!
Baby Boy!
After our son was born, I opted for bottles versus breast feeding. Fearing from my past experience that I was not destined to breastfeed.
I began classes through Early Childhood Education with my son and became fast friends with other moms. One day over coffee, I was complaining about my neck and shoulder pain. My friend Michele asked if I'd ever considered a reduction and went on to tell me about hers. That night I discussed it with my husband and the next day I made an appointment with Michele's plastic surgeon.
My plastic surgeon rocks!
At my first consultant with the plastic surgeon, he told me that the weight of my breast was causing the extreme pain and headaches I was having. I agreed to the surgery. The insurance paid for it too! The surgeon wanted to bring me down to a "C" cup, I begged for a "B" cup, but he said he wouldn't take that much. He removed one pound off of each breast! I was in heaven. The best surgery I could ever have. I was joyful, pain free and I could buy bras off the rack at Target for cheap!
My 20 Year high school reunion.
My 20 year high school reunion was three months after my surgery. I received so many compliments on how great I looked. I also had quite a few people stare, but not ask where the girls went. But after 20 years there were still some boys who never grew up to be men. I had several ask me where my boobs went to? I was astounded at the question, but simply retorted with, "I see you still haven't grown up yet!"
So today I'm comfortable with a 34C. No more bouncy breasts. I can wear shirts that are my size now! I can wear a swim suite that is my size. I can go bra-less and be happy! The headaches and back aches are in the past now & the deep indents in my shoulders disappeared about 8 months after my surgery.
I can now say I love my girls!
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Thanks for your comment Rochelle!
Thank you so much fo rsharing your story! I am 25 with full double D's and am scheduled to have a reduction to a C in a couple of weeks. I have been having major anxiety over this bc I am just hoping im not in some kind of shock! Your story makes me feel so much better! Thanks again.
Ashley, good luck with your surgery. It was the BEST choice I've ever made in regard to my own body. If JC Penny still sells them, I recommend getting their bras that have no underwire in one size smaller cup than you wear now. I think they are called "Everyday Bras". You'll have to wear a bra round the clock until you are fully healed & these bras were sooo comphy!
In life its really about doing what makes you happy. No one should carry burdens unnecessarily. Get it, Jane, burdens?
CJ, yes I get it!! :D
It would be in my nature to make a joke about this but you obviously went through a lot of pain. As a man I can say that the female body is a work of art and we seem to want to critique everyone we see, Childish? Yes! I'm glad you feel better and I thought you wrote quite well!
A Texan - thanks, I really appreciate your comment.
I had the same experience that you did and wish that I had it done years earlier. Clothes fit so much better and the headaches disappeared immediately.
It requires lots of guts to write this real life story and I should say it has come out naturally, with the mild touch of humor highly enlivening the narration.
Through your story, we "never growing" male species can now understand the pain the women of "enviable possessions" carry; how unfortunate that sufferers like you are wrongly considered lucky by both men and women!
Several of my family members have had this done and I will be doing the same as soon as I can afford to do so. It really amazes me how many women increase the size of their "girls". If only they knew the pain that the women that are over-sized naturally suffer. Thanks for sharing your story Jane!
Back pain and headaches aside, I would think it takes a lot of courage to be able to take that plastic-surgery step (regardless of whether the woman sees her problem as being too big or too small). It's too bad, though, that young girls have to be worrying about how big or small they are; when, really, it's all about the immature kids around them, not about them, themselves. (Again, backpain and headaches aside..).
@Money Glitch - It was the best thing I ever did. Plus, the health insurance covered the surgery!
@Lisa HW - yes, it is sad that girls have to worry about this. We should all feel great about our bodies. With that said, my 100 lb. frame just couldn't hold the weight! Immature kids were a problem, immature adults were worse!
Thanks for commenting!!!
A great write and thanks for letting us share in your experiences! Blessings to you.
I have the same issue! I've thought about a reduction several times but don't have the money for it. I wonder if my insurance would cover it...
Thank you PaulaK and wife2mikejh for your comments. My insurance did cover the surgery :)
I had same problem. Had breast reducction in 2005. I asked my surgeon to bring me down from 42D to 34B but hi did not do it because he touhg 36C will look better on me. Time has passed and my boobs grew back. Now I am back to the same problem, frustrated and so sad. I am searching for a another surgeon that will do what I say and not what he thinks.
Ive just been approved and im getting mine done in a month im 24 years old.I was so excited i am currently a 12FF and im going to a C. Im so nervous now about the pain that i will go through. Also the healing time! Thanks for your story
You go, girl!!!
That's the spirit! Tolerating immature people for years, and finally getting over your problems. That must be great!
OH, growing up in such a state is surely not fun at all. Yet I suppose that experience made you a better person. Great that you met a man who loves you for what you are and not for the physical pleasure you can provide for him. Thanks for sharing your story.
I had a reduction six months ago. I went from a 36DDD to a B cup. All of a sudden they grew back! I am 31 years old and not a very happy woman. I had the surgery for many different reasons, and couldn't wait to finally wear the "cute bras". 6 months and back to a DD. Seriously? Yep. I would go through the pain all over again, but insurance will not pay for it twice. All a big waste of time, and a HUGE disappointment. Doctor's say that they don't grow back unless you gain weight or have hormonal changes, but I am proof that they can and do.
It almost looks like you were talking about another person, me!. Our cases are almost identical but mine did not end as good as yours. I was 42D and requested 34B. I even got a new bra and showed to the surgeon so he knew exactly what I wanted. He gave me a 36C. When I confronted him, he said that this was the size he though will fit me best. I was (still) so disapointed. I will have to use wire bras for the rest of my life, because at 51 years old the girls cannot be allowed to run free.
A truly inspirational story Jane and a great way for breaking the taboo of sometimes much maligned but much needed surgery for women's health.
Thanks for the comments!
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Rochelle Frank 2 years ago
Thanks for sharing your story.
Though I never came close to having your problem, I can sympathize with the mental and physical pain it must have caused. Those who might wish for a little more should be careful what they wish for. Glad to hear of your happy outcome. Size does matter-- sometimes too much.