One Year Later: My Breast Reduction Journey
I got my breast reduction on December 22nd, 2023. It was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made. It was so major because I committed to changing something I was born with. Working through all the mental and emotional gymnastics was worth it because I am so much more comfortable now. In today’s blog, I will walk you through how and why I got the surgery, how recovery is going, and how my life has changed. AND a cute lil Q n’ A at the end submitted by my friends on IG.
Why:
I got the surgery for many reasons; I was disproportionate, I was extremely uncomfortable, I couldn’t wear the clothes I wanted to wear, and it made my passion for sports so difficult and sometimes painful. I had a full-grown chest around my junior year of high school. Back then, I was a gymnast, pole vaulter, and swimmer. My boobs became a part of my identity. I was in a group chat with my friends called “itty bitty titty committee + Sarah”. That was me, I had big ol’ honkers and I was fine with that, but they made my life difficult, which was not fine. They made pole vault annoying, but I could deal with it. However, it was when I switched to triathlon and became a runner that having a supportive bra was much more important for repetitive bouncing. I found that two sports bras were the way to go, but even then, the elastic would give out overtime. I tied SheFit (too tight), and BettsFit (didn’t make a size big enough but great brand). The world just didn’t make sports bras, or clothes for that matter, for me and it made me sad that I would have to change myself to get what I needed. (This anecdote played into my mental gymnastics. But even if the world made the right clothes I would still be in pain.) I never got to wear low-support and low-cut crop tops, dresses, button-up shirts, and bikinis. I got gnarly chafing on my under boobs, the tit sweat was so uncomfortable, and if I forgot a sports bra in my bag, I really couldn’t do the workout. Not to mention the upper back pain I had at the end of the day. The only relief I got was when I was lying down or in water. This all got to be too much for me, parts of my boobs needed to go. I knew that a reduction was an option, so I started looking into it more.
Prime recovery spot. My cat, Bear, by my side. My bunny, Abby, behind Bear. I am reading The Longest Race. Photo by Andy Dewey.
How:
It took a couple of years to get the surgery. I first had to figure out what was required of my insurance to get the surgery approved, then figure out which doctors accepted my insurance. I learned I needed to go to a year of PT. I was going to get the surgery in 2022, during my senior year of college but my mom highly discouraged me because she was worried I wouldn’t be able to work and save money for France. I didn’t get it then because of her. I was extremely disappointed because I was so uncomfortable and that meant I would have to wait until after France, a year from May 2022. My main goal when I got back in May 2023 was to get the damn surgery so I could move on with my life! I found Dr. Allen Gabriel in Vancouver Washington, where I am from. Being at home meant my mom could help me with recovery. Thankfully, I didn’t have to re-do a year of PT, which I was extremely worried about as it had been over a year since I had the PT. I got my surgery approved by insurance and I got a surgery date! December 22nd. The planning began; Andy, Mom, and I took days off work, and my mom found the giant, electric recliner that I could sleep in. This makes it sound like it was a simple process but trust me it was not. I made lots of calls to insurance companies, the stress of going to basically pointless PT for months, waiting for the “right time”, and just the emotional and physical distress of getting this whole surgery to happen. It was an ordeal. It took a good amount of determination and support from my mommy.
Recovery:
The surgery came and it went really well. Dr. Gaberial took about 400 Grams out, about ½ a pound. He did an anchor incision technique, and I did have drains. I was pretty out of it for the first 3 days and then I slowly got better. I was functioning enough to enjoy Christmas, but I was still very tired and in pain. I REALLY enjoyed all the people helping me, maybe a little too much hehe. I was back on the bike doing extremely easy and short rides about a week later. I couldn’t raise my arms or lift anything, and I had to sleep on my back. Sleeping on my back for a month ended up being one of the most annoying parts of recovery. I was home for a month and then moved back up to Bellingham and continued off with life. My boobs were very swollen and sore for a long time. It almost looked like nothing changed which freaked me out. I remember one day, having a meltdown because I put my old bra on, and it still fit. I posted on the Breast Reduction Support Group on FB, and they reassured me that I’ll get smaller once the swelling goes down. I had to just trust the process and let myself heal from the inside out. It took a long time for my boobs to soften up, around 6 months to a year! Once I started my daily life again, it was a waiting game to see how they turned out. Even before the 6-month mark, I was able to enjoy my new life.
Ice pack on my incisions, hot eye mask, cold pack on my head, and resting in the evening - December 2023. Photo by Andy Dewey
How my life has changed:
I now run without big, heavy fat sacks flying around! I buy sports bras that actually work (Oiselle is my go-to). I don’t have back pain anymore. I can wear cute bralettes and I have so much less boob sweat. I can go to a generic store and get a top. My life is just easier now. I am free! I am so grateful to have had this surgery. I still have boobs, but they are so much more manageable and reasonable now. I look better. I look more proportionate and feel so much more confident in swimsuits, crop tops, tight shirts, etc. It’s hard to put into words how much this surgery has impacted my life. All the little things to mention, annoyances I had before that I don’t have now. I made a good list so I will keep it at that. I will continue to enjoy my new boobs as I have been.
Before → After. Photo on the right was taken yesterday! I am in the same exact sports bra. Left photo by my aunt Lindsay, Right by me.
Q n A via Instagram:
Q: Was your circle supportive of this?
A: Yes and no. My friends were the most supportive. They were so kind and encouraging. My mom and dad were very hesitant. My mom, who has big boobs too, just dealt with it her whole life. She’s worried I won’t be able to breastfeed if I decide to have kids. She made me and was protective about that! I thought about that fact when going through the decision to get it. My dad’s side of the family has big boobs too and they’ve dealt with it as well. But I knew we had different lives, and this surgery was imperative for me to live the life I wanted to live.
-
Q: How was it finding a doctor you trust?
A: Once I decided to have the surgery in Vancouver, it was easy. Dr. Gaberial is a peer of my mom. He works at Peace Health and so does my mom! She knew that he was a friendly and normal guy. And that he has had lots of experience before me. I already trusted him because of my mom and his past beautiful work on other women.
-
Q: Why are you so cool?
A: I was born this way baby.
-
Q: How’re your boobs????!?!?
A: They are AMAZING!! I will say though, I still have a lot of numbness around my scars. I know those will continue to go away as I continue to heal. As well as the scars themselves!
-
Q: Did you make a stress ball out of the leftovers?
A: No, but that sounds like a good idea. Also, gross but kind of cool!! I could’ve had like a memorial boob on my nightstand or something.
-
Q: How much more aero will you be in the bike now?
A: I have no idea because I haven’t gone to the wind tunnel! I would suspect maybe even less because dudes are always stuffing bottles down their shirts nowadays. But I still have boobs so maybe it’s the same!
Before → After. Same dress. Right photo was at the Vancouver’s Farmers Market with my good friend Ellie. Left photo by Andy Dewey. Right photo by Suzie Ellis (my mom).
If you’ve made it this far, I want to say thank you. If anyone has further questions about the surgery let me know! I am an open book and would love to help if you’re thinking about getting one.
XOXO