(Disclaimer: Everything stated is from personal experience, please discuss with your doctor and/or a medical professional options if you are seeking surgery.)

I know it hurts.

Physically, emotionally, and mentally. You feel back pain, shoulder pain, and you feel like you can't hold yourself up.

People aren't the kindest. You must have had your fair share of commentary, judgment, and perversion from your peers about how they feel about your body.

First, they shouldn't put you in that situation because this isn't your fault.

Second, they are not worth your time. Please please please don't let their cruel words get to you like I had. They don't understand to what extent what you are going through. A lot of them never will know, so let their words roll off your shoulder.

In this world full of judgment and constant eyes on you, it's easy to feel self-conscious about what the next move is and what others will think of you.

But what I need to tell you:

Their. Words. Mean. Nothing.

I was picked on and teased relentlessly from the fifth grade till the junior year of high school constantly for how my chest looked and how they felt about it, even though 98% of the time I never asked for their opinion.

One of the greatest things I regret in my high school years is how much I let other people's words get to me.

I would continuously look at my reflection in pure disgust, forming into a hideous monster that I didn't want to become.
I resented the person I became because I became so cruel and mean to myself. I let their words overrule my own thoughts. I didn't let myself grow...

so I became stuck.

I shut myself off to the world, I let those who broke me down hold onto the microphone of my inner thoughts and self-esteem.

So this is what I want to say to you, love the person you are today.
If you want to get the breast reduction, do it because you want to do it for you. Don't do it for the approval of others.
Please be kind to yourself, no matter if you get the surgery after all or not.


Third, I know you're scared of the idea of surgery.

It's a big surgery and it is a big shift your body will go through. But in my opinion, I would do it all over again for the result I got out of it. I also had complications after surgery that I dealt with day by day in high school. But all of the pain and restless nights were SO worth it to me.

I wasn't/am not in pain anymore. I don't wake up in the middle of the night anymore, crying and whimpering in spinal/back pain. I get to buy clothing now that fit my frame, I am proportional with my body now.

But like I said before, this decision is up to you. But in my situation, it was the best thing I could have done for myself. But, this is your journey to go on. It is your decision to make, and you should love your image regardless of any change you go through.

Looking back, I wish I was able to be more kind to myself and I wish I could have loved the person I was before surgery. But because of everything I went through, I am able to little by little find a new found feeling that I haven't had in a very long time.

That feeling is self-love.

For more information regarding costs, consultation, and where to begin, check out the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For more information regarding pre-surgery, surgery, and post surgery and what options are best for you, check out the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.