A breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) is an elective procedure to reshape and reduce the size of the breasts to reduce impact on a woman’s lifestyle and wellbeing.

Results of breast reduction surgery are aimed at relieving symptoms, improving self-image, and giving the woman a breast size and shape in proportion with the rest of her body.

Sam* under went a breast reduction in May 2010, this is her story.

I had always been a big girl on top. As a teen I went from a B to a C, then it quickly escalated to DD, E, F and G, which was not comfortable, especially on my size 10 body. 

I went to my doctor for a referral for a breast reduction when I was about 20, I couldn't afford to fund the operation myself I had to go through the health system. I was a size 8 then with DD/E breasts and starting to get constant back and shoulder pain and my posture was suffering. Unfortunately I got declined as my weight/BMI was apparently not acceptable.

Shopping was always a pain, I couldn't wear fashion trends because I was stuck to v necks and plain tops, I didn't want to attract any unwanted attention.

In January 2010 I went to the doctor and asked her to refer me to the Breast Reduction clinic at the Superclinic in Auckland. This time I got accepted for an appointment, I had been referred and would be seen at the clinic within 6 moths. To my delight I got an appointment in May. I took along my Mum as she had had a reduction about 10 years ago. The appointment went really well and the surgeon thought I definitely needed the surgery as I was now a 10G.

They took photos and measurements and gave me a pile of paperwork to fill out. The surgeon who was going to operate on me was moving to Melbourne at the end of June so he asked if I wanted it done before then or I could wait for another surgeon at the end of the year. I leapt at the chance to be operated on earlier rather than later! I had waited long enough already!

So at the beginning of June 2010 I had my reduction. The operation went smoothly and I only had one night in hospital and then I went home the next day. I had about a week and a half off work and couldn't do any heavy lifting for 6 weeks and couldn't drive for a week or so. It was all worth it! I went from a 10G to a 10D, they are still quite big but I’m just happy to have all the weight gone. They took around 400g from each breast.
 
It wasn't all plain sailing though. About a month after the operation I got an infection and my scars opened up in a few places. I went to A&E first and all they could do was bandage me up and referred me back to the surgeon. I made an appointment with the clinic but I couldn't get in until two weeks later. I ended up having to go to Middlemore Hospital A&E as they weren't looking good. The A&E staff were really good and I had surgeons come and look at my scars. I was kept overnight on IV antibiotics. After that I had to go to the local nurses to get my dressings changed twice a week. Now it’s all healed nicely and some scars you can't even see anymore.

I'm really pleased I got the operation. I love feeling lighter in the chest area and my back pain has gone away. I still have shoulder pain but that's probably due to my office job and being stuck at a computer all day. 

I would fully recommend a breast reduction to anyone who has been thinking about it. Even with the minor complications I had, I still wouldn't hesitate to do it all again. I'm loving this summer as I've got some new bikinis and feel totally relaxed on the beach!

*Please note name has been changed.