From Heavy to Happy: My Breast Reduction Surgery Experience

Y’all. It’s official. I finally booked my breast reduction surgery, and I could not be more excited! I still can’t believe it’s really happening — after years of thinking about it, researching, and second-guessing myself, I went to my consultation, met my surgeon, and let me tell you… it was everything I needed to hear and more.

First off, this office was so freaking nice. Like, classy classy. I rolled in there with my bonnet on, hair a mess, and still felt like I belonged. Everyone was super sweet and made me feel comfortable from the second I walked in.

When I met with the consultant (not the surgeon herself yet), she broke everything down for me — what to expect, what I needed to do before surgery, and all the details in between. Here’s a quick rundown of what went down:

• Anesthesia: They use general anesthesia only, so yes — I’ll be completely asleep.
• Tube + Drains: I’ll have a breathing tube during surgery and drains afterward because of how large my breasts are.
• Pre-Op Requirements: I need to get a mammogram (my first ever!) and some blood work done at LabCorp. She also wanted to know my A1C levels since I’m borderline pre-diabetic. Mine was 5.9, which isn’t bad.
• The Cost: The quote came out to $13,350, and I have $10,000 on CareCredit, so I just need to come up with about $3,350 more. Not terrible — I can work with that!
• Surgery Date: I got my date and will need to be out of work for almost 4 weeks. They even gave me a doctor’s note for my job.

The best part? My surgeon is a total queen. Like, classy but real. She even cusses a little — in the most elegant way possible. You know that type of woman who can drop a curse word and still sound like she’s sipping tea at the Ritz? That’s her.

And get this — she said she won’t have to remove my nipples during the reduction. That was a huge deal for me because the last two surgeons I talked to said they would have to completely take them off and reattach them like an “apple bread” (whatever that means). Total red flag. But this surgeon? She knows her stuff.

I also got to tour the operating room, and y’all — I geeked out. The setup looked just like what I’ve seen in surgery vlogs: the table, the lights, the arm placements. I even saw the little room where my husband will wait during surgery — it’s got a TV, coffee bar, and all that. He’s gonna love it.

We still have to figure out what to do with the kids that day, but honestly, I’m just too happy to stress. It’s official. I paid my deposit, and this is really happening!

Fast forward — surgery day came and went, and y’all, it was life-changing. The next day I had my follow-up visit, and my surgeon said I did amazing. She told me I lost 11 pounds of breast tissue — yes, eleven! But she also reminded me not to hop on the scale yet because of the IV fluids and swelling. Apparently, water weight is real after surgery.

When I first woke up and looked down, I literally cried. Seeing my chest so much smaller and lighter — it was emotional. It felt like someone lifted a literal weight off my shoulders. My back already feels better, and I can stand straighter without slouching.

Here’s what my doctor told me during the visit (and what I learned):

• Posture is everything: My shoulder and back muscles are used to carrying extra weight, so now they have to re-learn how to support me. She’s referring me to a physical therapist to recommend exercises to help with that.
• Stretch those pecs!: The therapist will work on stretching my chest muscles and strengthening the ones between my shoulder blades so I can stand tall again.
• Drains: I have drains because they removed so much tissue. The drains help prevent fluid buildup, kind of like swelling after you twist an ankle. Once the fluid output slows down, they’ll take them out in the office.
• Bras: I need to wear special post-surgery bras for about six weeks, and she even gave me a list of her favorite ones on her website. They have different fits, so I’ll need to try a few.
• Showering: No full showers right away — just sponge baths until the drains come out. Once I can, I’ll let the water run gently over my chest, but no soaking in the tub.
• Cleanliness matters: Keep nails short, wash with warm soapy water, and no fancy body washes or perfumes for now.

She also reminded me to be patient with my recovery and my posture — my body’s been carrying those “bowling balls” for years, so it’ll take time to adjust. But I’m already feeling more confident, lighter, and just plain grateful.

If you’re thinking about a breast reduction — do it. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s not just about how I look; it’s about how I feel. I can breathe easier, stand taller, and honestly, I just feel free.

I’ll keep sharing updates as I heal, but for now, I’m resting, staying hydrated, and loving this new chapter. If you’ve got questions, drop them in the comments — I’m happy to share everything I’ve learned so far.

View more of KIA TV videos outlining her journey.

The all-female team at Tannan Plastic Surgery is always happy to answer your breast reduction questions. Call us today or schedule a consultation with Dr. Shruti Tannan. (919) 797-0996.