Fat acceptance and breast reduction surgery
One of our regular readers, Mel (aka vitty10) is looking for feedback on a subject that is very important to her. She asked if I might share it with our readers and I decided to do something we’ve never done before: a guest cross-post. You can read the original here or comment below.
I would like to hear from any Fat Acceptance advocates who have had breast reduction surgery, or anybody who has an opinion about it.
Yesterday was the two year anniversary of my surgery. I had wanted this surgery for many, many years due to pain and discomfort, but also for aesthetic reasons, and because of reactions from other people. Women’s bodies seem to be game for any and all public comments. I had been putting up with stares and rude comments from people since I was 11.
I had the surgery and I’ve never felt better. I don’t have any more pain in my neck and shoulders, it’s easier to do my job and to exercise. Hell, it’s even easier to sleep and breathe. People don’t stare and make rude comments anymore. I don’t pay a fortune for bras anymore. This surgery isn’t right for everybody, but I don’t regret my decision in the slightest.
Now, just bear with me while I ramble to myself. I am a full believer in Fat Acceptance. I believe that there is too much pressure on people, women in particular, to be thin by any means necessary. I don’t believe that all fat people are going to keel over and die by their 30th birthday (yes, I do know fat senior citizens). I believe that weight-loss dieting is often counterproductive to achieving health. And I feel that acceptance is the one of the keys to health and happiness.
But what do you do if parts of you make you genuinely uncomfortable, in a physical and/or emotional way?
Are Fat Acceptance and breast reduction surgery compatible? I wouldn’t dream of having surgery to reduce my stomach or my legs. But my chest just felt too big, too uncomfortable. It’s not the same as weight-loss surgery in my opinion, but it’s something, I don’t know what.
Does any of this make sense? Does anybody have any thoughts?
Speaking as a health care professional, women of all body types get breast reduction surgery. If one’s breasts are so large that it causes back pain and the other issues that you described, I believe it’s the best way to go. I do not think that breast reduction is in any way in opposition to size acceptance.
I’m in the normal weight range with DDs. I’m 21 currently, and they’ve continued to increase in size all the way through college. I had been a D, but herniated a disc hucking 50lb bags of flour. So I gained some weight and up to DD I went. At this size, I’m uncomfortable. If I were to get bigger as I got older, I can only imagine my chest size would shoot up to something quickly un-managable for myself.
I think breast reduction is 100% compatible with any kind of body acceptance, just like breast enhancement can be. But even if you were doing it for purely aesthetic reasons, I think that if you are not body dysmorphic, however you want to be is attainable, then there’s nothing wrong with doing it. I know some disagree with me, and I see some extremists who think it’s against acceptance to make any changes to your body. I personally see size acceptance as partly an acceptance of the way you are (not liking you less or more because of the way you look), but additionally not judging you and looking down upon your personal choices (like having an overweight child and still letting him have a treat like any other child).
Also in the end, it’s really functional. And sure, you can work and work on your core muscles to fix back issues, but that still doesn’t stop them getting in the way, doesn’t change how uncomfortable it can be to run, how much (and how ugly) bras can be, paying more money for clothes that fit and flatter, and how disgusting people can treat you. I dress like a slob half the time because I’m a student and I’m lazy, but I swear that I went to the corner store in a t-shirt without a bra on once, and every single person (6 or 7 men) I walked by said something to me relating to it. It pisses me off that we live in a world where we’re judged by something as utterly trivial as the size of our mammaries constantly, and somehow large breasts are seen as some sort of invitation for people to creep on you. I certainly wouldn’t blame a woman for not wanting to constantly take the heat. I wear bras that suit me almost all the time, but when I’m meeting new people in a professional context, I make sure to wear a sports bra, because it’s surprising how often you don’t get taken seriously as a professional for something like that. And I’m not old enough or at a point in my career where it becomes harder and both more professionally and socially unacceptable to pigeon hole someone because of appearance.
I never understood how it became ok to comment on random peoples bodies in public. And then when you snark back or give the evil eye they behave like you’re the one with the problem.
Well how dare you stare back, they weren’t the one screaaaaaming for attention, being outside, and in clothes, in PUBLIC no less.
I went and typo’d a bit there.
“But even if you were doing it for purely aesthetic reasons, I think that if you are not body dysmorphic, however you want to be is attainable, then there’s nothing wrong with doing it.”
should read:
“But even if you were doing it for purely aesthetic reasons, I think that if a person is not body dysmorphic, and the way they want to look is reasonably attainable for them and their lifestyles, then there’s nothing wrong with making changes to be that way.”
I honestly wouldn’t even view breast reduction as a fat/size acceptance issue. Larger than average breasts happen to all shapes and sizes (and it should be noted that there are also plenty of fatties with breasts on the smaller size, too!)
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with breast reduction. You don’t regret it, and you shouldn’t! I’ve got nothing but respect for you!!
It’s not incompatible at all with FA in my opinion. I firmly believe that (generally speaking) people should do what allows them to live a life unencumbered by pain and suffering.
Thanks for posting Shannon!
I had actually wanted to get the surgery about 10 years earlier, but my doctor told me that I should try to lose weight first to see if that would help. Well, it didn’t work for me, so a different doctor gave me the ok this time. While people were concerned, most were supportive. A couple of people said something about me mutilating myself but I never saw it that way. If they’ve never had to carry around a heavy load like I did they really don’t know what they’re talking about.
I don’t see breast reduction as being in conflict with fat acceptance at all. Personally, if I could find a doctor who would recommend it and a surgeon who would do it, I would go for it in a heartbeat. I’m tired of having permanent creases in my shoulders from my bra straps (and it doesn’t matter how wide the straps are, they still make creases). I’m tired of not being able to find bras to fit anymore - manufacturers have quit making bands for those of us who need a 52/54 in anything past an F cup (and I need an H cup). I’m tired of the sweat under my boobs in the summer and having to figure out how to deal with it to avoid rashes and infections. I’m tired of my boobs getting in the way when I reach for something, and I’m definitely tired of them getting in the way when I’m trying to drink a cup of soda in the car (I’m also tired of wearing my soda and anything I happen to eat because it hits my chest instead of the napkin in my lap). I’m tired of getting a sore neck and back from carrying the rack of doom around too. So yeah, there are plenty of good reasons to get a breast reduction, other than aesthetics, but even if it’s just for aesthetics, and you feel better about yourself, then it was worth it for you, it’s your body, and no one has the right to tell you you shouldn’t have done it or that you’re not a good fat activist because you had it done.
If you ever find a surgeon who will do it I highly recommend it. I still spill food on my chest, but sometimes it reaches my lap now
.
It’s been 8 years since I had my reduction. I was 16, and larger than a 34H cup (we stop measuring when my breasts grew too fast to order bras) so I only wore sports bras. I couldn’t stand up straight, sit up straight, and have permanent back damage from the weight of it. When I got my reduction, it was because we were fairly certain they’d stopped growing; the growth was very sudden, and tied to a medication I was taking that I had recently gone off of. I went from a C to a DD in less than 6 months when I started the medication. My genetics had predisposed me to larger breasts, which is why I was a C cup at 13.
Talking to my GP about the possibility of a reduction was by far the BEST decision I ever made. My parents encouraged me, because I was in constant pain. My doctor referred me to a surgeon in a nearby city, and he took measurements, my medical history and pictures to send on to my insurance company. The insurance company approved it immediately (we were all shocked at how fast their decision came, probably due to my young age). I missed two weeks of school, and when I returned I got comments about my improved posture.
When I started on the medication that caused my problem, I was tiny with large-ish breasts. By the end of the first 6 months, I’d gained over 30 pounds and got to the size that I have been since then, even though I’ve gained over 90 pounds more. I hated my body at that point.
As the years went on, I grew to like my body again. I found new styles that I felt comfortable wearing, and actually received a lot of positive body attention. I felt confident. I felt sexy. I finally felt what I imagined other fat people felt when I saw them walking tall and laughing with friends.
Even after the reduction, my breasts were large. The surgeon was hesitant to do a more intensive reduction, for fear of I don’t really know what. They’re bigger now than they were two years ago; two pregnancies will do that. I’m still fat, and pretty happy with myself. My husband, bless his heart, would like me to be a little smaller, a little trimmer. I’m mostly okay with that; he’s mostly happy as long as I’m not upset with my body. I don’t mind going to the gym, and actually quite enjoy exercising. I have no delusions that I’ll ever be skinny again, and that’s okay; given some dietary restrictions, it’s actually almost impossible for me to follow a conventionally “healthy” diet, so I’m one of those fat women you’ll see chowing down on carbs like they’re going out of style.
No, I don’t believe that breast reductions, or even breast implants, are contradictory to fat acceptance. Everyone has parts of their bodies that they don’t like or are causing them problems. As much as it seems to go against the whole concept of FA, there are times that WE know ourselves enough to make the decision to change those parts. For me, it was my breasts (which, when I’m done having kids, I’m planning on having another reduction done since they’ve grown enough again to cause constant back pain). Given the opportunity, I can’t say for certain that I wouldn’t take a tummy tuck to get rid of my pregnancy pooch, too. That doesn’t mean that I can’t or don’t support FA, nor practice it.
It’s really good that your insurance company approved your surgery so fast. I’ve read stories about women having to fight with their insurance companies to get them to cover the surgery. I live in Canada so I don’t really know how the insurance situation works.
Good luck with your next reduction!
Ya know, it just seems like your body, your business. Fat Acceptance should not be about telling people not to diet. It should be about educating people so they don’t want to diet. You can’t tell people what to do with their bodies, ever. It’s just stupid and meaningless and hurtful and has no place in a civil, humane society. But that’s not where we live.
Nobody is perfect, least of all those who judge the decisions of others (unless, of course, those decisions affect me and mine). The only thing I would wish on anyone is that they be at peace with their body, and if that requires surgical alteration, I hope that they first put as much thought and consideration into the decision as they are capable of, and then hope that the decision was right for them.
Other than that, you know your body best. Fuck anyone else’s opinion.
Peace,
Shannon
I was approached by a woman in a mall kiosk (yup, she was selling breast reduction surgery in a MALL KIOSK) years ago about having my breasts reduced. She assumed that because they were large (DD at the time) that I was having major back pain and other issues. I told her no, I had no problems. She followed me and insisted that I would get health problems later on. Almost 15 years later, still no issues.
But if my breasts were making life extremely uncomfortable, I would consider the surgery. A large chest is not all that. Fashion-wise, it can be a nightmare when you try to purchase bras and with the way they cut necklines these days on plus-size tops, large boobs make deep V’s, scoop and notch styles even lower than they are. Button-down shirts are practically a no-no due to puckering and gaping. Mammograms can be difficult. I wouldn’t begrudge anyone who made the decision to reduce their chest size. It’s not the same thing as deliberate dieting.
A mall kiosk? Now i’ve heard of everything… Wow.
I’m sorry to rock the boat here but I just have to say this. While I believe breast reduction is
compliant with body acceptance and the principals of FA. But breast enhancement, absolutely not. There is no health or comfort issue involved, just pure asthetics.
Even in cases of body dysmorphia? What about when it’s causing extreme depression? See, the problem I have with your assessment is that it assumes quite a bit about the life, mind and body of the people who would seek it out.
regarding that frame of thinking then, would you then be opposed to bariatric surgery? Isn’t that someone’s answer to low self esteem and depression as well. Isn’t the idea of this space to get beyond the idealism of body perfection as defined by the culture we currently live in?
Except dysmorphia is not low self esteem, nor does self esteem have much relation to serious depressive issues. This is not about body idealism, it’s about mental health; body dysmorphia is a major cause of suicide - trans*women who are triggered by their lack of breasts contemplate and frequently carry out suicide. I’m also not going to say that a fat woman who has a complete mastectomy should never even CONSIDER having implants to replace the breasts that they lost. The point of FA and Body Positivity is accepting that we don’t HAVE to conform to society’s brand of beauty, not that we should deny ourselves our own views.
As for bariatric surgery, no I’m not 100% opposed to it, just as I’m not 100% opposed to starting a diet with the intent of making lifestyle changes. I’m well aware of the failure rates, and if someone I know is considering them, I’ll discuss it with them, but the in the end the choice is theirs to make, not mine.
I’m a little surprised that you don’t see the worth in women who have had mastectomies getting implants, or for women who have starkly difference sized breasts?
Your body is a house that you have to live in forever. I’d never judge someone for being a FF cup and wanting to reduce, on being an A or less and desiring something more in proportion with the rest of their body. By that logic, no one with crooked teeth should have them straightened unless there’s an ensuing dental health problem, but I doubt you’d find many people finding it against body acceptance to go through with that type of thing.
But in the end, regardless of that, it’s their house and not yours, and I don’t think it’s contradictory to be accepting of yourself, but still at times want to make changes.
I see Fat Acceptance, which I personally generalize to body acceptance, more key in terms of a societal sphere, rather than solely as a personal issue. It’s not in the place of others to judge someone based on their weight, or make assumptions about someone’s health or wellness based on weight. It’s in effect a notion of not judging someone’s lifestyle, choices, or appearance. But to claim that it’s against body acceptance to make personal choices on one’s appearance, doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me, as in the end the core of acceptance is to be tolerant and non-assumptive about other people. I think it’s counterproductive to preach body acceptance, and then at the same time say that it’s not within the realm of body acceptance to accept someone’s personally chosen body “enhancements” (in “” because enhancement is relative to the person observing).
Lame-o, that didn’t post in the right place, but was in response to Priscilla.
For the record. I’m certainly not against post mastectomy implants. I do not equate breast enlargement for cosmetic reasons to this.
Except that post-mastectomy implants ARE for cosmetic reasons.
I hit the send too soon, let me extrapolate my point. The key word is replacement vs enlargement. Normal and proportionate are cultural ideas too. I understand the value and talent of cosmetic surgeons for restoring normalacy to post accident victims or those born with serious defects that would hinder their mobility in the world.
I came within a day of doing a breast reduction when I was in my late 20s, for all the reasons usually given….discomfort, back pain, difficulty finding bras, yadda yadda. There was a problem with insurance and I didn’t end up having the reduction, and I’m glad now that I didn’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t support others who choose to do it. I do. And I don’t think reduction surgery is contrary to fat-acceptance even in the least. So definitely no objections on that front.
However, for women of childbearing age who plan to have kids, they should know that significant breast reduction surgery DOES impact the ability to breastfeed for many (though not all) women, and that’s no small loss for mom or baby because of the tremendous health benefits of breastfeeding. So while possible loss of breastfeeding is generally considered a minor matter by many people, it does have significant health implications, and these aren’t always gone over very thoroughly by doctors (my doctor didn’t). Women who plan to have children need to consider this possibility carefully. Some choose to have the surgery anyhow, some choose not to have the surgery, and some choose to wait until after they are done having children. All are legit choices and should be honored.
Let me make myself clear; I certainly am not judging the women who chose to have the surgery. Having been there myself, I definitely understand the reasons for going through wiht the surgery. But sometimes women have the surgery and are surprised at how much its impact on breastfeeding matters to them later, even while not regretting the surgery. I just want to make sure people know about the website, Breastfeeding After Reduction - http://www.bfar.org, which has a lot of quality information and mother-to-mother support on the topic.
My surgeon actually did bring it up, but I wasn’t planning to have children so it wasn’t an issue for me. I remember watching a heartbreaking trial on tv where a young woman was charged with the death of her baby. She didn’t know that her reduction surgery would make her milk supply inadequate and her baby died from malnutrition.
I’m glad your surgeon brought it up. Mine did too, but it was extremely cursory and treated as no big deal. That’s why I always want to make sure that people understand its potential to affect bfing.
If I’m thinking of the right one, that TV drama was another example of Hyperbole TV. Take an issue and exaggerate the circumstances to the Nth degree for the sake of dramatic impact. In most situations, with proper follow-up by care providers, this wouldn’t happen because the baby’s lack of gain would be caught early. But that doesn’t make “good TV” of course.
Reductions don’t necessarily make it impossible to breastfeed, it’s important to note. Many women are able to partially breastfeed their babies, but most have to utilize supplements. Of course, any breastmilk a baby gets is extremely helpful because of the tremendous immunological benefits, so partial bfing is certainly an option. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it does for some. However, some women postpone their reductions till after childbearing so they can give their babies the most breastmilk possible.
Each woman’s decision on this is her own, but whatever she chooses, she deserves as much support as possible, which is why http://www.bfar.org is such an awesome site.
I know this post is old, but I wanted to share my experience here. I had a breast reduction right at the exact same time (seriously, the very same week) I became familiar with fat acceptance and decided to let go of weight loss goals. It was hard for me, because I had to face the fact that, while there were a few minor health reasons for going from a G-cup to a C-cup, YES, I was doing this to fit into clothes better. YES, I was doing it for social acceptance. YES, I was doing it to appear smaller overall. YES, I was doing it because some people told me they lost weight after having the procedure. I had the surgery despite my new commitment to fat acceptance, and afterward I came to understand that the two aren’t compatible, nor are they incompatible. They just are. They are both a part of my life history. I am a person with a complicated relationship with my own body. Aren’t we all?
One thing the experience did teach me is to never pass judgment on another woman for making whatever decisions she feels she needs to make to get by in this world, whether that is cosmetic surgery, dieting, tanning, whatever. Our enemies are the forces of oppression, not the people trying to cope with them. I don’t want to stop women from altering their bodies. I want to make NOT altering bodies a viable option in the world so I can be assured that any woman who chooses to undergo surgery or other procedures is doing so freely, not out of recognized or unrecognized coercion. We don’t live in that world yet, though, so we make our choices as best we see fit, and we need to be forgiving of ourselves and others for our lived contradictions.
“Our enemies are the forces of oppression, not the people trying to cope with them.” - THIS
Okay, but what is your opinion of women who get weight-loss surgery and list smaller breasts as one of the advantages of losing the weight? What is your opinion of those who take this indirect approach to breast reduction?
Everybody is free to do what they want with their own body. I’m not here to tell people what to do. I just hope that they are fully informed first.
If someone is out there getting weight loss surgery, and did it in part to get a breast reduction, they should have just gotten a breast reduction in the first place. Weight loss surgery is a highly risk-laden thing to do to oneself, with serious life change implications that will likely last for the rest of their lives. Someone wanting a breast reduction can have that breast reduction with a procedure that is far less serious (although still surgery), with far fewer possible side effects.