Abigail’s Experience with Breast Reduction Surgery
Posted January 15, 2018
Shared from Facebook: Abigail O.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to post about this or not, but I’ve decided I need to. One year ago today, I had my breast reduction. I had struggled for several years with a size 36N chest, having to special order clothes, swimsuits, and bras from Europe. I spent hundreds of dollars getting custom clothes, or getting alterations. I was regularly sexually harassed. Through high school guys would bounce coins off my chest in class. Complete strangers would make grabs at me, or make disgusting comments. No matter what I wore, I was somehow inappropriate. I was referred to as “the girl with the boobs”, as if nothing else about me mattered. I had no confidence, I hated my body, I hated dressing up, I was defeated.
In early October of 2016, my beautiful sister got married. I remember being so happy and excited for her, but at the same time battling myself. I was wearing a strapless bra, and it was digging into my sides so badly. I could hardly breathe that day, because as any chesty lady could tell you, if you have to go strapless, you have to go TIGHT. That night when I got home and changed, I cried. My ribs were bleeding. My sides were bruised. And I never even feel pretty or confident that day.
That was the day I decided to get the surgery.
A few weeks later, I had a consultation for surgery. I was so nervous, and I remember crying while waiting because the patient gown didn’t even close over my chest, and I was so embarrassed for someone to see my body. When Dr. Antimarino came in, he was so compassionate and understanding. He told me immediately I would be a good candidate. He comforted me. He made me feel safe. I felt hope. Now we just had to wait for the insurance to see if I would be covered…
Now it’s December 2016, and I get a call from Dr. Antimarino’s office. I was approved! My whole surgery was covered. Again, I cried. But finally it was tears of joy. I was so excited. (Incredibly nervous too, I’d never had surgery before, not even stitches! And also, I had a fear of a possible identity crisis.)
January 5, 2017 I went in for surgery. I was terrified, and again, my doctor comforted me. He assured me he would do his best work. Before I went under, I asked him to take a picture of me halfway through surgery, when only one breast was done. He declined, saying most people have a very negative reaction to seeing their bodies like that (which he was right, because a week later I almost fainted the first time I saw my chest). When I woke up from surgery, the first thing I did, was lift the blanket to see my new body, and he had put a pink surgical bra on me. I was SO excited, because I hadn’t had a pink bra in years due to style restrictions for larger sizes.
My recovery went smoothly, and my doctor was incredibly consistent with follow ups, I’ve seen him several time this past year, and will see him again this month (reminder to myself to schedule that). I could t be more grateful.
In the past year, my life has changed. I haven’t had a single stranger comment on my size, I haven’t had to buy anything a million sizes too big and get it taken in everywhere but my chest.
I’ve gained so much confidence, and feel so much more secure in my body.
If I’m being 100% honest, I do feel like they’re actually still a little to big (now a 36DD/DDD) but when I think back, it’s waaaaaay better than it was. I’m more health conscious now, I like my body better so I want to treat it better. I used to live in constant pain, back pain and headaches, now I hardly ever suffer from those things. My arms used to fall asleep while I was driving because of my bra digging into my shoulders, that doesn’t happen anymore. And in August of 2017, I was in another wedding. And you know what? I didn’t even wear a bra. First time since puberty haha.
This may seem dumb and stupid to some of you. Some people might roll their eyes and think I’m weak or a complainer, but I don’t care. I did what I had to do, and my life is 10X better for it.
If anyone actually read this whole thing, thank you. And thank you to those who supported me ❤️ and a big thank you to Dr. Antimarino and his staff at Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa
The pictures I have attached were taken less than a year apart. When I look at the one on the left, I don’t even recognize that girl as me. I’m a new person. And I’m happy.
