Help me get a Breast Reduction!

Hi, I'm Madeleine Finley, I'm 26, and I need a breast reduction for several medical reasons.

Ok, so I didn't want to do this initially, because I don't want to make my problem other peoples' problem too. But I have been planning/wishing/hoping for a breast reduction since I was 20. I have consulted with a surgeon and am planning to get the surgery late January 2023.

 

I grew boobs when I was young; they were small, then suddenly, over about two months, they grew three sizes. Since then, they've grown five more sizes. Over the years, I've had several issues that have gotten worse and worse. I have scoliosis, a degenerated disc in the t8-t9 region on my spine, chronic back and shoulder pain, neck pain and chronic headaches and migraines. Last year I suddenly became really sick, with my migraines becoming unbearable and visual symptoms and dizziness as major side effects. I've been in physiotherapy and acupuncture since then, and the work on my shoulders and neck have gotten me from being incapacitated to -almost- living normally.

 

Another thing that I found out in the past year and which is also currently being researched is the effects of large breasts on your breathing. Studies have found that the weight of large breasts on the ribs can affect the diaphragm's ability to expand fully. I noticed this myself when I was on a bushwalk a year ago. I was tired, out of breath, and I decided to pick my boobs up and hold them in my hands. Suddenly, I was taking full, deep breaths, which I hadn't even known I wasn't doing before.

 

I have had ECGs, a spinal tap, eye exams, blood tests and x-rays, CT scans and MRIs on my head, back and stomach. Everything points to the issues stemming from my chest. I'm a 36H, and my breasts weigh approximately 1.3kg each. So, imagine a kilo of sugar strapped to each shoulder all the time, and you can kind of picture the feeling. I can't run, buy bras that fit without spending $100 per bra, and I can't work or do the things I enjoy without experiencing chronic pain.

 

Enough complaining; I'd like to get to what this is about. I don't want charity, and I don't want anyone to feel like I'm begging for money. If I raise $10 or $8000, I'll be incredibly grateful. I've set my goal to $8000 because I'm looking at around 10k out of pocket, plus $1000 for a year of private health insurance payments to cover my hospital and theatre costs. There's also physio and acupuncture, which are so much help, but cost between $70 and $100 each every two weeks. I have some money saved up, and I don't want to take or ask for more than I need.

 

You can donate if you want to, or don't if you don't want to. Please don't feel obligated to do anything. This is an 'if you want to help' situation. Thank you, and I love you guys.


p.s. the photos are there just to show like the scale of them.