From big ol' bitties, to a proud member of the itty tittie committee.

Yes, five years ago, I had a breast reduction. I was 19-years-old, fresh out of high school, and had whopping G-cup boobs. My centre of gravity was always forward-leaning, I had terrible back and neck pain, and my older sister would always kindly remark that I always looked like I had a 'second butt' on my chest.

So when I made the decision to have a breast reduction in October 2020 — it changed my life.

Now, (from the older and wiser 24-year-old B-cup I am today), here's everything I've learned from my breast reduction, five years on.

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1. The reactions never get old.

I'm not one to shy away from telling people about my breast reduction, but when I do… oh boy, it's like I've dropped the biggest news since Nicole and Keith's separation.

"YOU got a BREAST REDUCTION?!"

"I can't even imagine you with big boobs!!"

"What do you MEAAAANN? How does that even work?!"

"DID THEY REMOVE YOUR NIPPLES?!"

People see you in a whole new light — like I've told them I have a hidden past, like I have a secret child. And while my old boobs were probably the same weight as a newborn baby, I don't think it should be given the same gravity. I mean, it's just boobs!

But my favourite part of the exchange — particularly with men — is explaining the surgery.

I had an anchor-method surgery where they make three main incisions — one in the horizontal crease under my breast, another incision up to my nipple and then around the areola. They remove the fat from underneath, stitch it all back and POOF! Tiny boobs.

And no, my nipples weren't removed. Well, not really. They cut around the nipples fully and remove all the excess fat in the lower part of the breast (while the nipple is still attached) and then reposition everything. So I have very circular nipples. You can imagine the reactions to that comment.

It's hilarious — men never know if they can ask questions. Women are desperate to ask questions. But the best reaction is when I talk to people who go on to tell me their stories. That their sister had a breast reduction. Or their mum. Or their grandma. Or better yet, themselves!

It's like a secret little community — those who have been blessed or burdened by the big boob gods. We're all out here, just waiting to drop the G-cup-sized bomb.

2. You will miss your cleavage.

It's the one thing that people considering the surgery don't want to hear, but, unfortunately, yes — there's always part of me that will miss my big boobs.

Now, don't get me wrong. I have zero regrets about my decision. But every now and again, I do wish I had that little bit of extra boobage to fill out that nice bodycon dress.

It's classic loss aversion bias — you miss what you no longer have and forget what you've gained.

So on those days when I do miss my cleavage, I just remember the 14-year-old girl who always had to wear a rashie at school swimming carnivals. Finding crumbs in the endless abyss of my cleavage at the end of the day. Only being able to buy $99+ bras that only came in white, beige or dark beige.

Because now I can rock a $5 lacy red bra from Kmart and know it will hold up my perky gals with ease.

3. Exercise is so much easier.

I was never the most active person growing up, and I wish I could solely blame my large boobs for that, but I can't.

I loved netball, volleyball and team sports, but I was also the girl who'd walk the cross-country and get participation ribbons for coming last at the athletics carnival.

But since getting my breast reduction, my relationship with exercise has changed tremendously.

In my big boobie days, even going on a light jog would mean putting on a minimum of two sports bras that would inevitably feel like torture when it was ripped off my sweaty, booby chest before getting into a soothing shower.

And not only that, but exercise HURT!

I did a lot of damage to my neck exercising and, while I can't solely blame my humungous breasts for that, but they did play a major factor in my lasting neck and shoulder problems.

But now, exercise is accessible! It's easy. It's something I don't have to give a second thought to.

I just chuck on any old bra and head out. I no longer have to feel insecure about running with my Jurassic Park boobs, fearful of accidentally giving myself a black eye.

4. Your boobs will forever look different.

I don't think anyone is fully happy with their body. And if there are people like that, TEACH ME YOUR WAYS! Because there are days when I don't like my boobs. At all. In fact, sometimes I hate them.

For example, I have quite high nipples. (I know, TMI, but that's why you're reading this.) It happens when you have a breast reduction sometimes, your nipples are repositioned and mine just happen to be higher than 'normal'.

And it's something I do get very insecure about. Like, if someone happened to see my nipples through my singlet, they'll know my deep dark secret — "THAT WOMAN HAS HAD A BREAST REDUCTION, BURN HER AT THE STAKE!!"

Not to mention the skin dimpling. Or the scarring. I'm lucky that mine is very minimal, but I know there are other women who have had breast reductions and can't say the same. So, while my boobs are smaller and maybe appear perkier, there are lots of things I'm still very reluctant to show out of fear of judgement.

There are days I love my boobs and there are days that I hate them, and there are also days (like today) where I go — stuff it! They're just boobs, who cares!? My boobs look different to what they once were, but to me, the good outweighs the bad.

5. My relationship to fashion has changed.

Fashion and I have never been friends.

And when I had boobs, I did everything I could to cater to and hide them. No spaghetti straps, no strapless tops, no body-cons, no V necks, no singlets, no fun. My wardrobe consisted of turtlenecks, wrap tops and even more wrap tops. SO MANY WRAP TOPS.

After my breast reduction, I had no idea how to dress. My body had completely changed, my waistline was more visible, and I had to re-find my fashion sense. Which has been fun.

I now dress as the twenty-something Inner West gal I've always aspired to be instead of the Year 8 English teacher I used to dress like in an attempt to always look modest and hide my big-boobed insecurities.

And not to mention — everything is so much cheaper. I no longer have to buy speciality F+ bras that are only available online or go into the back section of David Jones to find the ugliest (yet still most expensive) swimsuit that will fit my bazonkers.

I cried at my first shop post breast reduction because I never thought I'd be able to fit into a top at Supre and feel good about myself. Now, the crying may have stopped when I do the occasional clothes shop, but I still feel damn good about how I look.

BONUS Best decision ever.

A lot of the time I forget that I've had a breast reduction solely due to the fact that I can go through my life now without having to worry about my boobs.

No more broken underwire poking my ribs, no more pain, no more holding my boobs when running to catch the bus.

It's a literal weight off my chest. And I have no regrets about it.

Although, I do miss being able to keep my phone and cards in my bra. I've spent a lot more money on purses post-reduction. But, some sacrifices I am willing to make.

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Feature Image: Supplied.