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Talksurgery adheres to the Health On the Net Foundation's Code of Conduct
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The Big Chop
Pros:
Scars, no breast feeding
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Cons:
Less back pain - generally more comfortable;
happier with self image;
able to run and jump and play;
people notice my face
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Cost:
$5000 (covered by insurance)
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Healing time:
6 months TOTAL - scars, swelling, etc
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Pain-o-meter: 7
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When I was about 11, I had the biggest breasts in my elementary school. It seemed like it happened overnight. It was fun for about a week, and then the torments got really annoying, and by 13, I was buying a C cup bra, much to the chagrin of my 18 year old sister and all her friends, who had smaller boobs than me!
It wasn't a big deal at first, as everyone thought it was hormonal, and they would "go down" when I got older. This never happened. By age 23 I was a DD36. I had the reduction for many reasons. First, I am a very active person, and I was so hindered by "the boobs" that I was uncomfortable running and jumping. I became self-conscious, and since I am and singer and actress, I need to be comfortable with my body. Second, I was experiencing major back pain and this, in turn, affected my singing.
I had a professional concern, as well, because my body was so out of proportion. This became very clear when after a performance a colleague said to me "I saw your boobs, and ten minutes later I saw your face!" This leads me to the third reason, which was that I was so sick of people focusing on my breasts and not my face. I felt that people never heard what I was saying, or if they did, they certainly never looked at my eyes while I was talking!
I felt that my breasts took over my body. Shopping for clothes was a nightmare, as I am a size 8 everywhere else, and could never find things that fit all over! I decided, finally, to have the big chop. I was really worried about the surgery, as there can be many complications - you can lose all feeling, as they sever the nipple and then sew it back on, and breast feeding is out of the question after surgery (although some surgeons claim that you can...? I guess I'll find out). But, I had decided, and went ahead with it.
I used a referral from a family friend who is in the field (but a scar/skin specialist - helpful for after surgery!), and found a fabulous doctor in D.C., who is a boob specialist. In my initial meeting, the doctor took photos and talked to me about the scarring (which can be really bad), the size I wanted to be, and about the possibility of losing feeling, and not breastfeeding. The surgery took place a month later, and was not fun.
I arrived at the hospital at 6 AM, and was prepped (they draw all over you with a black marker) and anaesthetized. The next thing I remember was 6 hrs later, and the doctor was touching my breasts asking if I could feel it. The doctor and a very nice med student just pulled the tubes right out of my breasts - they were stuck in right to my nipple. I was trying very hard to be brave but cried anyway. It really hurt.
We made an appointment for 2 days later. I was sick in a garbage can on the street, but made it back to the house and slept until the next day. I was allowed to have a shower that day, which I will never forget. Ignoring the sight of my bruised, stitched and swollen breasts, which were also around armpit level, I got in the shower and...I could see my feet! And I could see my legs! And my stomach! I realized then that my whole body had been dwarfed by my breasts, but I didn't care, as I was already so excited! I felt like a normal woman, not a freak. Everything went fine, and I returned home a week after being in D.C. I was back to normal about a week and a half after surgery, but still had bandages for a while. I had to wear wireless bras for about 2 months, and limit movement that could mess up the sutures.
It was the best thing I ever did!
Here are more details:
How results differed from what I expected:
n/a
Biggest fears pre-procedure:
See cons
Healing aids used:
Not specified
Number of doctors consulted:
2
Number of years I thought about having the procedure:
4
Had an elective procedure before:
No
Complications or follow-up procedures:
Some laser scar revision
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This information is not to substitute for professional medical advice. You
should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or
disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please
consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your condition.
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Gender:
Female
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Age:
24
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Ethnic group:
Caucasian
Education:
Post-graduate degree
Country:
United States
State/Province:
New York
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About 70 percent of young women try to lose weight. That dissatisfaction with their body weight stays with them into adulthood.
(Source: "the Role of Weight Management in the Health of Women" by Sachiko T. St. Jeor, professor and director of Nutrition Education and Research at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine)
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