I was 23 at the time of my surgery, and the mother of two wonderful children. I think being my age was easier than being older in many ways, and harder in some as well. I think older women I knew who suffered from the constant back and neck pain associated with large breasts were a little jealous that I was taking care of a problem when I was young, that they wished they would have had the guts to do not only when they were my age, but at any age. But being younger I believe helped remarkably in the healing. I will admit chasing around a three year old and an 11 month old was not the easiest thing in the world, but once again I think age played a part in my stamina. And I cannot forget the fact my mother was here for 2 weeks after the surgery.

While searching out information about Breast reduction on the internet, time and again I ran across 40+ year old women who were having this surgery. Most all of them expressed that that wish they would have had the surgery years prior. These strong and wonderful women helped me with my decision to do this at a relatively young age.

Why I wanted a Breast Reduction…

I suppose I was one of the lucky ones whose back and neck pain was tolerable to the point that I did not have to endure years of physical therapy or chiropractor visits like so many woman I have talked to have, but I was uncomfortable. I felt totally unattractive and I was so tired of the heat rashes under my breasts and not being able to do the things I used to enjoy. For several years I did home health care for the elderly. I had found at 23 years of age my breasts were as saggy as many women I had taken care of that were in their 70's or older. I felt it would only get worse, and more uncomfortable to wait.

I will be the first to admit I was overweight at the time of my surgery, but it seemed that every time I tried to exercise I just had the same problems again and again. The main problem I encountered was trying to find a sports bra that would support any sort of bouncing. I may have only be a 36DDD but on my 5’1” frame it was very uncomfortable to find a bra that was tight enough to control the bouncing, and loose enough for me to breath. When I stopped breast feeding my son at 4 months I was already looking into a reduction, but I hoped my breasts would shrink enough to avoid any surgery. Unfortunately they did shrink from the 36H they were with nursing, but the skin elasticity was gone, and they refused to get any smaller than the 36DDD. Before children I was a large C cup… needless to say without a little help I would never see that size again.

So when my son was about nine months old I started looking into Breast Reduction again. My biggest fear, as with many women was insurance approval. With many prayers and a supportive plastic surgeon , I was approved and 32 days after my approval I had my surgery. My surgery date was August 17, 2000!

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