Anonymous
Recently model Kate Upton did a zero gravity photo shoot and my only thought looking at the pictures was how happy I was to no longer be her boob size.
My boobs came in early and huge. I was the girl who needed a bra at 13, mortified when I measured a DD at 16. My friends called me ‘Dolly Parton’ once, causing me to burst into tears. After I had my first baby, a friend found my bra hanging in my bathroom and exclaimed, “one of these cups could literally fit over my head”. I never attempted breastfeeding since I knew I had to go back to work at eight weeks and I couldn’t imagine getting any bigger than I already was (EE) once my milk came in. Never did I revel in the fact that I had huge, grapefruit size breasts with cookie size nipples.
In my mid-30s I decided it was time to take action. My gynecologist recommended an excellent plastic surgeon. During the initial visit he took pictures of my breasts (the only pictures that have ever been taken of them nude, I can assure you) and we decided to be proportionate to the rest of my body, I would become a full C cup. He discussed the possibility of complete nipple sensation loss. As I had very little sensation anyway, that was not an issue.
The surgery went well. He removed over three pounds from my breasts. I had to wear a tight binding over my chest for several weeks, which made me look unusually flat. I worried perhaps he had taken too much out and made me a B cup. Not to worry, once the binding came off, I was a beautiful C with quarter size nipples. I had no idea that my own breasts could be so beautiful! The surgeon also gave me a ‘lift’ so now that I’m 50, my boobs are where a 30 year olds would be and I couldn’t be happier.
The irony is that my beautiful breasts have absolutely no sensation at all—none. My sister would love to have this surgery as well but won’t because her breasts are such an erogenous zone for her. My 22 year old daughter talks of having a reduction (she’s a DD also) as well. My best friend, who is an A on a good day, offered to take my left overs so we both could be Cs.
The most pleasant surprise came when people who had no idea what I’d done saw me for the first time. “Have you lost weight?” was their first question. Why yes, yes I have—from my boobs! I just smiled and replied yes. “You have a waist!” exclaimed my Mother-in-law. Well, I’d had one all along but I had to wear such big tops you’d never been able to see it. My breasts are now proportionate to my body, which is a beautiful thing.
My recommendation to anyone thinking of having a ‘boob job’: do your research. Pick a highly recommended or well-known plastic surgeon. Know what you’re getting into because it’s not just the physical appearance that gets altered. There’s a huge psychological component as well. Understand the risks and possible outcomes—are you OK losing all nipple sensation? If you have a partner, how does he/she feel about you having a reduction? My husband was nothing but supportive because he knew how I felt physically and emotionally about my breasts.
For me, having breast reduction surgery was life changing. It made me get in better shape and hey, it’s a lot easier to swing a golf club these days! Plastic surgery is definitely not for everyone but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.