Beyond the emotional stress, the size of my breasts began to hinder my physical activity. A once avid jogger, the weight became too much to carry, even for a short 3-mile run. I had back pain and headaches by the end of most days. If I wore regular bras the straps would leave groove marks in my shoulders. I'd wear two sports bras in order to get maximum support. Sports bras are great mimimizers too, although they make it look like you have "mono-boob" with no definition between the two breasts. To be honest, it felt like I was wearing a straight jacket.
I had resigned myself to believe that there was nothing I could do but learn to live with my anxiety. And then, three months before my 30th birthday everything changed. With the support of my friends and family, I made an appointment with a cosmetic surgeon named Dr. James Romano to explore the possibility of having a breast reduction.
During my initial consultation, Dr. Romano drew two different kinds of incisions on my breasts to give me an idea of what a breast reduction entails, including the scars. I knew going in that my nipple would have to be cut out and repositioned, but the risk of losing nipple sensation was so trivial my mind. All I wanted was to feel at peace with my body.
Then he told me about a procedure that I didn't even know existed - a virtually scarless alternative. Liposuction! Not only are the scars practically undetectable, the procedure is less invasive and the recovery time is less than a week. I could barely contain my excitement. Instead of removing tissue, liposuction removes fat from each breast through a small incision made along the under side. I would retain full nipple sensation and still be able to breast feed if I decided to have children down the line.
My decision was basically made before I even got to the elevator, but I did sit down and think about the risks and benefits, pros and cons of each procedure. Liposuction tipped the pro scale, hands down. I called Dr. Romano, and my surgery was scheduled for May 24, less than a month away!
The next few weeks were about preparing my body for surgery. Dr. Romano has an amazing holistic approach to his work and my pre-op instructions included vitamins, antibiotics and specific diet instructions to help with blood clotting and minimize bruising. Every morning I would get in the shower, look down and smile. Sooner than later I would actually be able to see my stomach without having to move one breast to the side.
Finally, the day came. The surgery itself took 2 1/2 hours, and I was in the recovery room for about an hour. My dressing was basically a foam bra that resembled a not-so-sexy corset, covering my torso from the top of my breasts to the top of my abdomen. During the first two days after my surgery, I rested for the most part. My skin was a bit irritated on the second day and I could see the bruises peeping out of the top of the bandages. Admittedly, I was scared. What if it didn’t work? What if they were deformed? But Dr. Romano assured me that the procedure was a complete success. He believed that I was going to be somewhere between a full B cup and a C cup. The whole thing seemed so surreal.
By the third day I was able to be up and about a bit more. I even went to a movie. On the fourth day I felt well enough to venture out for a casual dinner with a friend. While I moved slowly, my discomfort was minimal. Day 5 was my post-op examination with Dr. Romano when I was to see my new breasts for the very first time. The anticipation was killing me.
As he gently removed the tape and the foam corset I turned to look in the mirror, and there they were. Two beautiful breasts. The slight bruising was now concentrated along the underside of my breast and my scars were so small that it seemed impossible that so much fat could be taken out of such a tiny incision. Dr. Romano had removed the equivalent of a liter and a half of fat from both breasts combined. Just think about a two-liter of diet coke... that’s a lot of fat! He gave me a zip-front harness to wear every day and every night in order to keep the swelling down. I could switch to sports bras in a week or so, but I would not be able to wear any underwire bras for at least another month.
And on the sixth day … less than a week after my surgery, I went back to work!
All bruising was gone within 10 days and the major swelling went down within 3 weeks. The rest of the swelling would slowly lessen over the next sixth months. The shape and texture of my breasts was perfect and I did not experience any lumpiness as a result of the liposuction. Four weeks after my reduction I began a light exercise routine including free weights, and returned to my yoga practice around the 6th week. Because the idea of running 3 miles as my breasts bounce up and down made me cringe. So I waited until the third month to take to the road and the run went beautifully. It was so amazing to not feel the weight of my breasts with every step. Over the course of my recovery, I basically listened to my body and adjusted my activities accordingly.
With every day that passes, my confidence and sense of peace grows. My whole world has blossomed with possibilities. I have bought sexy tops to wear out at night, a triangle bikini top for a trip to Palm Springs and beautiful bras with lace and chiffon. I vow to only wear beautiful bras for the rest of my life. I feel so light and free. And for the first time… people see my shoulders and realize that I am not a broad girl! My breasts finally match my frame.
Almost five months after my surgery, all that is left to remind me of what used to be is a small 1?2 inch scar underneath each breast. I still have full sensation in my nipples and I do not shrink at the thought of wearing a regular bra. And that’s because this time… I am wearing a 36C.
Pre & Post Op Pictures
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Pictures show before and after breast reduction by special liposuction technique. The after photos show 3 months post surgical results. I returned to full activity and exercise at less than 2 weeks, and returned to work the next day.
