A woman plagued by her size 28H boobs that was causing chronic migraines and making her fingers go numb has now seen her life transformed after finally getting a reduction.
Janel Nelson, 20, from Alberta, Canada, has faced severe pain for years because of her sizeable chest, finding it particularly tough while on her feet all day in her job working with children with disabilities.
The young woman also constantly felt self-conscious as adults stared at her breasts whenever she walked into a room.
When seeking help, Janel claims doctors kept giving her excuses for not getting the surgery including one medical professional who asked her to think about what her “future husband might say”.
Janel’s story recently went viral on TikTok with over 19 million views, with her having had her “life-changing” reduction in January 2022.
“It literally felt like every time I entered a room, it was just my chest that walked in, not me,” Janel told Jam Press.
“This was something I had grown accustomed to in middle school and beyond as it was always in the back of my mind.
“As for my daily symptoms, I felt like I had everything listed in the books.
“My shoulders and neck were always extremely sore from the pressure of my bra straps.
“My entire posture revolved around slouching to get some relief.
“In the summer, I would sweat profusely underneath my breasts, which led to constantly getting irritations and rashes; weirdly enough my fingers would randomly get tingly because the nerves in my neck would become compressed and this was very annoying.
“However, the most debilitating symptom I had was chronic migraines.
“All the pressure and weight that weighed down on me would often result in these migraines.
“Ultimately I felt as though my body was denying me confidence and restricting what I could and could not do in my life.”
Janel’s breasts first started to cause an issue when she was around 16 and she has spent four years trying to get surgery.
She said: “The process itself was very lengthy for me.
“Over the course of four years I was denied by family physicians and surgeons over 10 times.
“The reasons they gave me for being denied were always terrible.
“Examples being: I was too young, my hormones needed to level out, I should wait until after I have children, what would my future husband think?
“Every time I walked out of a clinic after being denied, I was more and more defeated.
“I eventually stopped trying because I wasn’t getting anywhere and I was tired of being shut down.”
When Janel married her husband, Chandler Nelson, he encouraged her to try again as he could see the impact it was having on her.
She finally found a doctor who was “willing to listen” and help organise the operation, but was told there was a two-year waiting list.
However, just six months later, a spooky coincidence saw Janel get her surgery early.
She said: “I awoke from a dream one morning and had a strong urge to call the clinic.
“My jaw dropped when they told me over the phone that they got a new list of dates that morning and asked if I was available to take the open spot.
“Nothing would have stopped me from taking that surgery date.”
On 5 January 2022, Janel had the surgery to take her breasts down to a size 28 C, and she is amazed by the results.
Thankfully, as it was done through the public healthcare system, she also didn’t have to foot an expensive medical bill.
She said: “It’s been life-changing. I feel like I have acquired a whole new body.
“I am finally able to jump around and live life like any 20-year-old should be able to do.
“I am no longer restricted in my clothing choices and I can grab anything off the rack without even having to try it on, knowing that it will fit me.
“The bit of confidence that I had before has absolutely exploded and I feel so ecstatic knowing that nothing will ever hold me back anymore from being my energetic athletic true self.”
In her TikTok video, which has now had 19 million views, Janel shows herself trying on outfits before and after the surgery.
One person said: “I can see your happiness it makes me tear up tbh.”
Someone else wrote: “Girl! I bet your back is feeling happy too! Beautiful both ways but I’m sure you’re feeling so relieved!”
Another user wrote: “I love how happy you look!!!”
A third person added: “That you can’t contain the joy in your after videos is so wonderful. So happy for you!”
Speaking about her choice to reduce her breasts, Janel added: “It completely changed my life and I wake up every day so much happier knowing that no part of my body holds me back from doing what I want.
“Obviously, I will forever have scars from the surgery but they are covered by bras/bikinis and won’t ever be visible to anyone unless you want them to be.
“No amount of scaring or pain would ever hold me back from doing the surgery again just to feel and experience the relief I have now.”
“You deserve to feel comfortable in your body. You deserve to feel confident in the clothes that you wear. You deserve to be happy.”
