Breast Reduction Surgery

Here’s a topic that hits home.  Home, because last December I underwent a breast reduction surgery.  I was hesitant last semester discussing this because I put this blog on my resume.  However, after my last blog on masturbation, I don’t think I can get much “worse” than that.  So, I am discussing my surgery now.

Surgically, a breast reduction surgery consists of cutting: around the nipple, below the nipple, and to the side towards your underarm.  The disappearance of most scarring can take at least up to a year.

For insurance sake, I underwent this surgery for my back.  When I had larger breasts, I was less mobile, my back hurt a lot, and I couldn’t exercise as long or as hard as I wanted to.  For those of you who have met me, I’m pretty short.  (Some may also say that is an understatement).  I am 5’2.  That is a lie.  I am 5’1.  So when I had larger breasts, to give you a picture, no not a real picture, I had full Double-D breasts and 5’1.  I also was a little heavier around the waist than I should be in order for my body to support my breasts.

I am now a full B cup size.  I have lost weight due to exercise, portion control, and the surgery.

Now, I’d like to get into other reasons as to why I underwent the surgery.  I knew the surgery would help me lose weight, I knew if I were to ever have kids my breasts would expand to the moon, and I knew I would look better-I’d be more proportionate all around.  Prior to my surgery, I felt much confusion and anxiety if I should proceed with the surgery.  I kept on thinking I am undergoing this surgery for wrong reasons, for superficial reasons.  Reasons in which would feed patriarchy’s constraint on women’s bodies.  And, I was partially right.

But I put those reasons in the back of mind.  One day last semester, I spoke with a mentor of mine who does consider herself a Feminist and asked if all of my reasons to get this surgery are justifiable?  If I am “going against my Feminist beliefs,” if I were to have breast reduction surgery.  If becoming thinner and feeling better about myself even though I would have to undergo surgery to do so, is okay?  She replied that it’s all fine.  If it’s for me, not for society, not for Feminism, not for anyone else other than for myself, then I should proceed with this surgery.

And as you know, I did.

I do feel better about myself, though I am quite, quite analytical when it comes to my body.  Fearing I will gain weight, fearing my boobs will grow back to the size they were -though I’ve been medically assured this is not possible. Ha!  But as I write this blog, I must remind myself this surgery was for me. That if I “failed” Feminism in some kind of way, I can tell Feminism to suck it.  If I gave into patriarchy in some way, good for it.  Congratulations.

However, I do feel better about myself and feel freer to move.  Immobility was my constraint.  My surgery was my gift to myself, and a gift from my insurance company.  I will deal with the scars.  They aren’t pretty I must admit.  But I can deal with them.

Do what’s best for you feminists.  Not what’s best for Feminism, and not what’s worse for patriarchy.