About a month ago, Modern Family actress Ariel Winter opened up about her recent breast reduction. Though young, she struggled greatly with the size of her chest. It caused more issues than just the look of it; she had constant back problems because of it. So, her reduction was a medically necessary procedure that improved both her body and psyche. As Winter came out about her procedure and owned her decision with no regrets, it opened up a lot of people's eyes to the benefit of plastic surgery rather than the common misconception that it's strictly cosmetic. However, it's still a common viewpoint that people see plastic surgery as a way to fix not-so-problem areas; case in point, Kylie Jenner, who's ballooned up her lips and possibly enhanced other areas all to look a certain way. She contributes, directly or indirectly, to the stigma. It's hard to understand the effects of the plastic surgery's reputation until you're on the other side of it, just like Ariel Winter. Just like me.

The summer before senior year, I was in a lot of pain. My back was constantly throbbing, wracked with pain. I couldn't run, I couldn't walk up stairs without holding my chest, I could barely take a long walk without being sore. This was because my chest size had grown to disproportional amounts (and no, not because I had gained weight). My cup size, at it's highest, was close to an EEE. To put that in perspective for you, I am 5'1 and have maintained a weight between 115-120 lbs for most of my life post-puberty, and yet had that cup size. Naturally, that size was the straw that broke the camel's back (no pun intended). I went to a plastic surgeon for a consultation, decided on a minimal, lipo-suciton style breast reduction, and had my procedure done a few weeks later. I know I will eventually need a full fledged reduction after having kids, but this decision was the best move I have made for my health and my life so far.

Some of you may wonder what my motive is for sharing my story. The reason I'm writing about this is not because I want people to feel sorry for me, or to give me a pat on the back for having the chutzpah to go under the knife in order to benefit my life. I wrote this to free myself from the so-called shame I am supposed to feel for having plastic surgery.

I was open to a select group of people about my story; these were close friends, or at the very least, friends I thought I could trust. However, these past few weeks I've had random people come up to me asking if I've had a breast reduction. I can only assume the person going around and sharing my story for me to people I would have otherwise not told did so out of spite, or to embarrass me, or to make me look or feel less than said person or other's because I had plastic surgery. Well, to the person sharing my story, I want to thank you. You've opened my eyes to how proud and unashamed I should and do feel about my decision.

You see, I've spent the past few years keeping relatively mum about my reduction because I've felt ashamed and afraid of the backlash I might face. The stigma of plastic surgery because of the Kylie Jenner's of the world scared me into submission of the complex. It wasn't until recently that I have had the courage to own my decision. I owe this in equal part to Ariel Winter's courage and honesty, and to the person that forced me out of hiding. I have come to embrace the fact that I've had plastic surgery. I've bettered my health and my emotional state because of my decision. I'm not held down by pain, prevented from doing even basic things like running or walking up stairs. I'm not crying when I look at myself, wondering why I can't wear the clothes everyone can, why I feel self conscious in a bathing suit, or overall just hating the way I look. And that's not something to feel bad about. That's something I should embrace.

So, for the person who tried to hurt me with my own story, and to others who look at plastic surgery as a rich person's tool to look, well, plastic, rethink your views. Cosmetic procedures aren't just for looks. They can benefit the lives of people everywhere, like it has mine.