17 Y/o, 38F & Ready to Start my Life! - Charlotte, NC

Hi everyone! I am getting a breast reduction 2 weeks from today and could not be more excited! I decided to write this review because, though every review that I have read has been super helpful, most women who get this surgery are a bit older than I am or have at least had children first. As I am so young, I have faced many obstacles over the last few years in my journey to get this surgery. I have remained determined to get it despite being discouraged by all of my friends, family, and even the first few doctors I spoke to about getting the surgery. One even suggested that I seek counseling instead if I am unhappy with my body! So I am writing this review in case there are any other young women out there who are sick of being told that they "should be grateful to have big boobs!" or marginalized because of the stereotypical idea that ALL women want larger chests. I want to tell you all that it's never too early for you to take control of your body if you're unhappy with it and to never give up on your journey because it will work out for you!
My breasts started developing when I was around 11, and by the time I was 13 (in 8th grade) I was about a C cup. It stayed this way until I was about 15 and began taking birth control pills for my heavy periods. I don't know if it was the pills alone or just timing, but in the following few months I had grown to about a DD/DDD. This was when I knew something had to be done because they made me miserable! When I was a smaller size, I loved playing volleyball for my high school and performing with a local theater group. Now, having such large breasts on my 5'10" frame made me mortified to be in the spotlight and made playing a competitive sport impossible. Not to mention the unwanted attention that having such large breasts as a 10th grader will get you by peers. This was when I first spoke to my doctor about getting a breast reduction and was basically laughed out of the office. I quickly realized that no one would take me seriously at such a young age, so I had to forget about the surgery for a while and began binding my breasts down with a thick ace bandage for school to make them less noticeable. Over the last 2 years, they have grown even bigger to about a full F. So my senior year, I decided that, as I would be leaving for college so soon, it was time to get this surgery so that I could start living my life to fullest and I was not taking no for an answer this time. After going to a few consultations and doing tons of research, I finally found the perfect plastic surgeon who never makes me feel like my feelings and reasons for wanting this surgery aren't valid. I couldn't be happier and more trusting in him. After struggling to get my doctors to write letters of recommendation for my application to the insurance company (I'm not kidding when I say they were not very supportive!), I actually got approved! I am hoping that after this surgery I will be a C cup, maybe even leaning on the smaller side of a C. But I'm mostly excited with what I will be able to do after this surgery. There will be so many things that I'll be able to do again! I'm looking so forward to being able to run without being embarrassed, maybe even playing volleyball again on a club team at my college, wearing button-up shirts without having gaping holes, or just being able to walk in public knowing that the first thing people see about me isn't my chest. Tomorrow is my pre-op appointment, so I'm hoping I'll be able to talk to my doctor for the last time before the big day to make sure we're on the same page. I will keep you guys updated as it gets closer!

Hi everyone! I had my pre-op appointment the other day and it went well. It was so quick! The nurse just went through everything I needed to know about when to stop eating/drinking the night before, what to wear/not wear the day of, how to shower a few days after, etc. and my doctor came in to see if I had any questions. I read in some reviews that some women had lab work done at their pre-op, but I didn't. I think the hospital where the surgery is being done (it needs to be done at a hospital instead of the Charlotte Plastic Surgery clinic because it's being covered by insurance) will contact me soon to go in for lab work because I haven't given a urine/blood sample and I believe that is required before surgery. But besides that, I'm all set and ready to go! 11 more days!
Also, has anyone tried taking Bromelain (for swelling) or Arnica (for bruising) pills before surgery? I have heard that they greatly reduce your bruising and swelling so I think I will get some and start taking them soon. If you've tried either/both of these, please let me know if they worked for you!

Hi everyone! Since I'm leaving for the hospital in a few hours I figured it's my last chance to upload some before pictures. As much as I never want to see them again, I should keep them so I can compare them after surgery. I'm so excited!