Going Under the Knife: My Personal Experience
I’ll never forget the first time I realized I had a bump on my nose. I was in elementary school. I hadn’t noticed my profile and, up until then, hadn’t cared about my looks. Or what people thought about them, anyway.
I miss those days.
I was playing with my mom’s makeup in the bathroom with one of my friends, when she made some sort of reference to the bump on my nose. I gasped, “What are you talking about? I’m looking in the mirror now, it’s not big or bumpy.”
She turned my face slowly away from the mirror and I went cross-eyed trying to get a glimpse of my profile.
And there it was.
The bump.
That moment stayed with me for a very long time. It completely changed the way I perceived myself.
I had a big nose and I hated it.
Now, at 33 years old, I’ve learned to love my nose. The same nose that I used to despise. It’s me and I would never change it.
But, this isn’t about my nose, its about another part of my body I used to obsess over. One I did something about. And by something I mean plastic surgery.
My enormous boobs.
I hit puberty early and big in the breast department. There is nothing like having boobs three times the size of everyone else to make you feel even more insecure in an already unsure time in your life.
I had nicknames. I was teased. People had perceptions of who I was solely based on the size of my rack. I got a lot of attention, but not the kind I wanted.
When I graduated from high school my mother granted me the only thing I’d ever really wished for.
A breast reduction.
That was fourteen years ago and I’ve never had one single moment of regret. It was something I knew I had to do to feel like the me that I already felt like on the inside.
So, if you are thinking about plastic surgery, here is my extremely-unprofessional-I-am-so-not-a-doctor advice.
Don’t pull a Heidi Montag. And by this I mean don’t get something done just so you can look exactly like Barbie. Keep what makes you different, because that is what makes you beautiful. No, you will never look like Megan Fox, I don’t care what your doctor tells you he can do. You will just end up looking weird and plastic. If you are unhappy in general with something you can’t really pin-point, or you are simply looking to be someone else, you should visit a psychiatrist before you make an appointment with a plastic surgeon.
Do consider it if it’s one thing in particular that’s been causing you extreme pain, mentally or physically. I grew into my nose. I learned to love it and appreciate it. My boobs, not so much. My back and self-esteem were extremely tired of carrying around those things for so long. They caused me a ton of anguish, for a very long time.
Don’t go to just any doctor. Not without doing extensive research and digging beforehand. Plastic surgery is not a minor surgery and should be taken very seriously. If you’re required to sign a waiver saying the dude with the scalpel isn’t liable if you flat-line on the table, you should take some time to think this through. And by time, I mean years.
Do forget you read parts of this when I go in for a tummy-tuck in the next few years. Babies. They don’t do a body good.
And my most important advice…
Do try and embrace your individuality and love yourself a little bit harder.
You are beautiful.
Before my Breast Reduction
After my Breast Reduction
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Allison Zapata decided to start a blog at three in the morning, while up sobbing with her crying newborn. She loves to write, but doesn't call herself a writer. She doubts herself often, and is known to have mini-meltdowns on the regular. Allison resides in Texas with her often embarrassed husband, two sons, two dogs, and one asshole cat. 
I had a breast reduction last year: from 36H to 36C. Best thing I’ve ever done!
Isn’t it!!! Amazing! :)
xoxo
Great advice!! I think I could say the same things about weight loss surgery! And do you think we get a discount on the tummy tuck if we go in together?
We have to look into that dude! Like, a two for one!
xoxo
ooh-I want in on a bogo tummy tuck!
The more the merrier, baby! ;)
I WANT IN! It’s like a botox party, only more invasive!
Oh yay! A tummy tuck party!!!!
All great advice. But, is it wrong that all I can think is Holy Crap! Those things were HUGE?! Yeah, I can completely understand having those suckers reduced.
No. I look at them and think the same thing! HUGE! :)
xoxo
I had to have plastic surgery for years for my cleft repairs (you know, so I could breathe, and also to minimize scarring while my face was still growing) so I have an entirely biased view. It was invasive and physically and emotionally taxing, and I would be hard-pressed to ever go through it again for elective reasons. Quite frankly now, even with all of my many flaws in the spots where I had to have work done, I have this fear of not looking like myself, and I think that would freak me out more than it would help at this point.
That said, what other people want is what they want and what works for them. It’s such a personal thing, even though the “weird and plastic” situations make me sad, especially when the person was perfectly lovely beforehand. I think your guidelines are really good, and I’m glad you got the kind that worked for you. I’ve known a few women whose lives improved after breast reduction, and at least one who didn’t get it who lived with chronic pain as a result.
P.S. You are pretty pretty pretty no matter what.
The weird and plastic thing is crazy to me. It makes me sad to see people who end up like that. It’s beautiful to be original. Even if we can’t always see that in ourselves.
Thanks, friend!!
xoxoxo
I had a breast reduction after my first child was born in 2004. I’ve never regretted it!
YAY!! :) Made buying clothes and bathing suits so much less stressful for me!! xoxo
THIS: “If you are unhappy in general with something you can’t really pin-point, or you are simply looking to be someone else, you should visit a psychiatrist before you make an appointment with a plastic surgeon.”
It pains me to see the Housewives of Anywhere all looking the same with the same fake lips, nose, cheeks, brows, boobs. They have serious esteem issues.
seriously!! how can they not see it?!!
First of all, you’re a cute girl in both photos, big boobs and not so much big boobs. But, wow, yeah those puppies must have been a pain in the ass to haul around!
Total pain in the ass!!!!! And thanks girlie :)
xoxo
I grew a nose that never fit my face, and then, when I was 16, I had a skiing accident and broke it. it healed but I was left with a odd bump, my self-esteem (which was already low) remained broken. I had it fixed when I was 21 and it was the best, most life-changing thing ever. I developed confidence I never had before, I was able to see past my nose and actually appreciate my face, I was able to say, “I’m beautiful” for the first time in my life. it doesn’t look weird or plastic, thank god, it doesn’t look “done” at all. it looks like the nose I should have had all along. having it fixed was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Awesome!! This is the reason plastic surgery exists! Happy you are happy! I know the feeling! :) xoxo
High five for breast reductions! One of the best, smartest things I ever did for myself. My only regret is that I didn’t say “screw saving the nipples and make them as small as you can.”
lol! HIGH FIVE!!!!
xoxo
I like your new boobies and your old boobies.
My nose has been broke 4 times. I never get it fixed. I just figure the fact that it is now on the left side of my face, adds character.
that’s pretty awesome.
immediately after i had my weight loss surgery, that being the only surgery i’ve had in my life. vowed that i wouldn’t even consider plastic surgery to remove excess skin. now, almost 4 years later if i had an extra oh… $55K i would totally do a full body lift. i need it..bad! my loose skin sorta resembles those wrinkly dogs…sharpei’s? i think they’re called.
if it wasn’t for my husband telling me how sexy i look naked..i’d probably sell a liver in order to have this surgery.
wow. 55K? CRAZY! How was the weight loss surgery? xoxo
You are so adorable in both of those pictures, but yay for boob reductions! I would totally have done the same thing.
I got my nose fixed in my early 30s. It was THE best thing I’ve ever done for myself, I spent so many years hating my nose and being teased about it.
Great tips, you cannot expect a change in appearance to fix your life. But if there is something about your body that makes you cringe or causes you pain, I say change it if you can.
THANK YOU!
And YAY for your new nose!! :)
xoxo
When I was skinny (up until about 35 or so) I had people say to my face that if I had boobs I would have a perfect body. (I was a small B) – it was like REALLY? Did you just say that?
Now that I am on the chubbier side and am a C cup nobody says shit. Probably because my ass is LARGE lol.
But holy hell girlfriend, you really did have enormous tatas. They really must have done a number on your back.
Wow. You go girl. Gorgeous. I too have a very umm … distinct honker. Courtesy of a run in with the uneven parallel bars when I was 8. As in may face ran into one of the bars.
Question: Perhaps TMI/too personal, so I understand if you don’t answer…. I’ve been considering a breast reduction. My husband supports me, but he loves my boobs, and, frankly, I love it when he loves them in the bedroom. He’d be disappointed for our sex life, I think, if they were perky and a good size, but “dead”. What is your experience, in that regard?
Not at all! We are all adults here right? (am too!)
I have just as much sensation, if not more than I did before the surgery. TOTALLY!! No problems there at all.
Not sure how it is with everyone, but I would think surgery is even more improved today than it was in 1997! Pretty sure it’s less invasive. Don’t mark my word though, I totally don’t want to be responsible for your nipples. HAAA! ;)
xoxo
Thanks for answering!! Gives me food for thought. ;-)
Anytime!! Always here if you have more questions!! XOXO
Same as Allison, I have more sensitivity than before. Or maybe I’m just far more comfortable having them be the center of attention that I enjoy it more? Either way… yessssss. ;)
i recently had breast reduction (38I down to DD) and have lost some sensation but not all. i feel so much sexier though since i can wear normal bras and clothes!
THANK YOU so much for writing about this. I’ve been wanting to ask you about your experience because I have LONGED for a reduction for about 15 years. I might have finally convinced the husband that it’s a good thing. They should bring pleasure… not pain. ;)
TOTAL PLEASURE!! :)
Its the best thing ever – esp. for your confidence.
Always here for ANYTHING you want to ask…. shoot me an email..
xoxo
i’ve been to FIVE different drs since i was 16 trying to get my insurance to pay for a breast reduction, but no such luck yet. so far its “you’re too close to child-birthing age” even though i have severe scoliosis & back pain. i swear to sweet baby jesus that i will get these things chopped off after i have the kidlets.
also, are we going to address the neon green nylon shorts you’re wearing?
HAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA! The shorts!! SO BAD!
You know, its probably the best thing ever for you to wait till after you have babies…they do such a number on your boobies! my cousin is pregnant with her third right now and its all she can think about….been waiting till she was done having kids to get it done.
YAY for babies and new boobies!!
Love you girl!
xoxo
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I just started reading on here recently & am finding that I love & relate to your posts! I have shed more tears over my large chest & the emotional toll it has taken on me over the years. I just popped out one day in high school & they have been huge ever since. After 2 kids & pregnant with the third, I am currently a 36G. Most of my life I have been a 34G. I will never forget the time I was trying on bras in VS & the saleslady said, I’m sorry, we have nothing for you here.
For years I considered a reduction but everytime I looked into it, life circumstances got in the way. The closest I ever came I ended up cancelling my appt because I got a job offer across the country. Over time, I came to understand my body more. That, and finding that a proper fitting at Nordstrom & being willing to pay big bucks for proper bras, has made it bearable. But now that I’m pregnant with our last child, I’m already thinking about surgery. Probably in a few more years once the baby is born & I’m done nursing. But then, I think it will be time to feel like a normal person, who can wear normal things.
I really liked this post. I am considering getting done lipo on my stomach and thighs after I graduate college. No matter what I do I can’t seem to get rid of the fat there. Breast reduction would be nice too. I have 38 DD. Which are massive yet manageable. I just don’t like them. They make me look bigger and I have had people tell me if I was any thinner with boobs that big I would look like a Barbie. Thanks guys. I am 22 5’6 and weigh around 170.
You know where I would get lipo? That little place around your armpits…HATE IT.
My boobs were manageable, physically, but not so much mentally :) I totally understand :)
Good luck if you go ahead with it! And thank you for sharing!
xoxo
i am late commenting, but found this article when searching “breast reduction” so am going to throw a comment in there anyway.
this is so true! i had a breast reduction this april after years of wanting to have it done. i went from a size 38I to a DD. at first i was actually disappointed because i was “hoping” for a C cup so that i could be “normal.” however, my doc explained that with body type and the fact that i had told him i was still 30+ lb away from my goal weight he didn’t want me to end up looking fake with boobs that were out of proportion to my body. also with the amount of tissue removed (over 3lbs) if he had taken out more he would have had to remove the nipples and graft them back on – meaning no sensation left at all. so, i am trying to adjust to my smaller, yet not as small as i had imagined, breasts and realizing that no matter how much work i had done i would still struggle with loving my body and being confident in who i am.
the back pain is totally gone and i feel great for the first time in years!