IEVA Magazine: “I’m happy that my breasts aren’t as big anymore”

Although society still holds the belief that large breasts make a woman particularly attractive, this is not always the case. New mother Marta has experienced this firsthand; she had felt the burden of her large breasts since her teenage years and admits that a new life began for her after her breast reduction surgery. A child with the figure of an adult woman

Even back in elementary school, I had very large breasts. In fact, I was still a child, but I already had the figure of an adult woman. I often received rude comments from other children, so it wasn’t easy emotionally either. I have to admit that I’m still working through this traumatic experience. When I was sixteen or seventeen, I started having serious back problems—pain, spinal deformity, and poor posture—because my shoulders had slumped forward due to the size and weight of my breasts. My large breasts were a burden; there was no joy in them at all. Moreover, I’ve spent my whole life hiding my large breasts rather than being proud of them. Before the surgery, I was a 75G. When I was pregnant and breastfeeding my little one, my breasts grew to a size H and even an I. That was really, really hard.

A Dream Comes True

I’ve been interested in breast reduction surgery since I was around twenty, when I had severe back pain, but it all came down to the financial aspect, and that was a painful issue for me.

However, two years ago, in the fall of 2021, I saw a post on social media announcing that the Latvian Microsurgery Center was launching a campaign called “Long-Awaited Plastic Surgery,” which offered the opportunity to undergo plastic surgery for free. All I had to do was submit my story and some photos—I mustered the courage to take this emotional step and applied. I was very lucky, because out of all the women who applied, they chose me

I had the surgery performed by

July 2022. It was apparently quite complicated and lasted about four hours. Of course, I don’t remember any of it, because I was under general anesthesia and sleeping soundly while the doctors worked their magic. Since my breasts were very large and heavy, their shape was meticulously corrected by removing excess tissue. Including the time spent preparing for the surgery and the post-operative recovery period, I spent a full day at the clinic. The morning after the surgery, I was able to go home, where I took care of my scars on my own, changed the dressings, and later applied a special silicone gel to soften the scars on my breasts, as recommended by the doctor. For three months, I had to wear a special compression bra provided by the Latvian Microsurgery Center. I continued to wear this bra even after the stitches were removed to help maintain the shape of my breast and ensure that the scar tissue healed properly.

I want to encourage other women

The scars from such a major surgery are, of course, visible, but they don’t bother me because they’re not noticeable under my underwear in everyday life. I’m currently a 75E, and although my breasts are still large, I really feel a big difference—my quality of life has improved significantly. I am extremely satisfied with the result. To all women facing this problem, I can wholeheartedly recommend: take this step and undergo breast reduction surgery so you no longer have to suffer from physical discomfort every day. It’s not worth suffering for years and waiting; it’s better to have the surgery as soon as the problem is diagnosed. Furthermore, it’s recommended to have the surgery at a younger age, as the healing process will be faster and more successful then.

Expert Opinion

It is important to improve women's quality of life

Dr. Nonna Tomiševa, a board-certified plastic surgeon and microsurgeon at the Latvian Microsurgery Center:

«If a woman has breasts that are too large, it's not just an aesthetic problem. The extra weight also causes postural and spinal deformities, leads to pain in the neck and shoulders, and rashes form under the breasts; there may be various skin conditions, which are often accompanied by bacterial infections, and that in itself is a medical indication. Furthermore, having large breasts is associated with a higher risk of cancer. Before surgery, breast tissue is always examined using ultrasound and mammography. With large breasts, it is more difficult for a woman to feel for lumps herself, so changes can only be detected through specialized examinations; but, let’s be honest, women aren’t always diligent enough to have their breasts examined regularly by a specialist.

Breast reduction surgery is more complex than breast augmentation with implants. During the procedure, excess glandular tissue, fatty tissue, and skin are removed; the areola is repositioned; and a new breast shape is created that harmoniously complements the woman’s body. It is very important that the amount of fatty tissue not be significantly excessive—this can both affect the shaping of the breast and complicate the healing process. If large breasts are not due to endocrine disorders but rather because the woman is overweight (BMI over 40), weight must be reduced before surgery. Surgery must not be performed if the patient has blood clotting disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, unmanaged chronic conditions, or skin diseases in the breast area (these must be treated before surgery).

The woman can go home the very next day after surgery. A follow-up visit should be scheduled three or four days after surgery, followed by another follow-up visit, and the stitches will be removed on the 12th day after surgery. Until the stitches are removed, the wound must be dressed regularly, and the wound and breast skin must be cared for using silicone gel and bandages. For one month after surgery, you must not expose yourself to the sun, use a tanning bed, or visit a sauna; swimming is not recommended. You must wear a postoperative compression bra for at least one month. We recommend follow-up visits with your doctor after one month, three months, six months, and one year.

Keep in mind that the shape of the breasts will develop over the course of about half a year to a year after the surgery. It is important for women to keep the skin on their breasts well-moisturized and to wear a properly fitting bra that does not constrict the breasts (without underwire, but with an elastic band at the bottom), and it’s important to remember that even after breast reduction surgery, you should have your breasts checked regularly with an ultrasound and undergo a mammogram once every two years.»

Dr. Māris Krūmiņš, a board-certified plastic surgeon at the Latvian Microsurgery Center:

«Breast reduction is a life-changing surgery in the truest sense of the word. For women with very large breasts, they make daily life difficult not only physically, but often psychologically and emotionally as well. It’s also important to note that the stigma associated with this physical appearance is often a source of distress, as society tends to hypersexualize such women, and not all of them wish to have their personality and essence defined solely by their voluptuous figure. The most common desire among patients who decide to undergo this surgery is to reduce their breast size as drastically as possible. Patients have often told me, «Doctor, I’d like my breasts to be as small as possible!» However, we must find a happy medium together, as there are certain physical and technical limitations; we must not go too far, because we need to preserve breast tissue to ensure proper blood supply, so that the nipples and areolas retain their sensitivity; it’s also important that the breast size is in proportion to the woman’s body. The more extensive the surgery (it can last up to four hours), the greater the risks of complications and the longer the postoperative recovery period may be. In fact, it’s a team effort, because we need to find common ground. As a doctor, I must be able to explain the options and solutions to the patient in a way she can understand, so that together we can achieve the best possible result. It’s not as if everything ends with the surgery, because even after the surgery, the woman must visit her doctor, carefully monitor her scar care herself, and follow the doctor’s instructions. Only then can we achieve the best possible result.»

Dr. med. Kalvis Pastars, Director of the Latvian Microsurgery Center, board-certified plastic surgeon, microsurgeon, and hand surgeon:

«For many of our patients, plastic surgery is not just about achieving a beautiful appearance, but also about solving a problem that has been troubling them for a long time—sometimes even their entire lives. There are still many stereotypes that scare people, which is why they continue to suffer rather than turn to us for help. Our mission is to help patients improve their quality of life, which is exactly what happened in this case. Free surgery is our annual tradition, which allows patients to share their stories and become happier. It’s very important to feel good in your own body, look good, and be confident in your abilities—to realize your dreams and goals in life. I am delighted that the Latvian Microsurgery Center has the opportunity to help people in this way.»

BENEFITS

BACK PAIN DECREASED.

«Just a month after the surgery, I noticed that the tension in my neck was gone, my shoulders weren’t hunching forward as much, and my back didn’t hurt anymore,» says Marta.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE CLOTHING THAT FITS YOUR BODY TYPE.

«It used to be a big problem because, when I was a teenager, it was impossible to find pretty underwear for my size.»

A RISE IN SELF-CONFIDENCE.

«Now I feel much better and more comfortable in my own body; I no longer have to hide, and I can even wear a beautiful dress with a neckline to an event.»

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.

«It's much easier and more enjoyable for me to dance and exercise, because before, just to keep my breasts in place, I had to wear two sports bras one on top of the other, and exercising was still uncomfortable. Now I’m much more physically active.»

Photo: Kaspars Siliņš