A woman fed up of feeling “embarrassed” of her “oversized” chest has gone viral online after getting a breast reduction – and finally feels free.
India Bale, 27, a nurse from Gold Coast, Australia, first saw her breasts grow larger when she was just 12 years old, noticing that hers were substantially “bigger” than that of her peers’.
At 14, she started wearing wired bras for support after experiencing back and shoulder pain, as well as constant chafing.
A few years later, the teenager had reached a 16H (38H) cup size and says nothing would fit her properly.
To hide away from the world, India started wearing baggy clothing two sizes larger than her dress size.
After years of suffering with a lack of confidence and difficulty carrying out her job as a nurse, India looked into having a breast reduction in February 2021.
“My confidence was at an all time low due to an awful break-up and I knew this would change my life,” India told Jam Press.
“I didn’t like being so different and they made my life and work hard.
“Nursing is very taxing on the body anyway, with moving patients and making beds – even just walking around with big breasts is more difficult than most think.
“I knew which surgeon I wanted to talk to straight away and he told me I had uneven, overly large breasts and that I was making the right decision.”
In June last year, India went through with the procedure; it cost her $5,800 AUD (£3,267) in total.
She now has 14DD (36DD) cup size breasts.
India’s surgeon removed a total of 3.5lbs that she was carrying around.
The nurse has now gained her confidence back and says the reduction has also helped her to lose weight.
She said: “I can’t even begin to describe how much I feel like a new person.
“[I can] get into clothes that actually fit me and flatter me, as well as into dating and back to work.
“I used to wear two sports bras at the gym to feel comfortable and now, I can wear cheap ones and still have support.
“I remember when I started running and swimming that I felt different to most girls, as you could tell I was always bigger in bust.
“I felt so jealous [of my friends with smaller breasts] as they could wear any clothes they wanted.
“I lost so much time trying to look nice and I tried to embrace them, but this was really hard.”
In a bid to make others feel less alone, India shared her transformation on social media, where a clip has since racked up 612,000 views and over 58,000 likes.
In the video, India begins by showing her breasts while wearing a sports bra, before cutting to a short of her prior to surgery.
In a final clip, she reveals her new, smaller breasts while wearing the same sports bra and sports a huge smile on her face.
Users have taken to the comments to share their support, as well as their own experiences.
“YAS girl!!! I’m one year post op! They just keep getting better,” one viewer commented. [sic]
Another person added: “You look so happy and comfy after. Beautiful before and after.”
“Omgggggg I’m going into surgery tomorrow and I am soooo excited!!!! Yours look amazingggg!!!” someone else wrote. [sic]
One viewer added: “Your smile afterwards was everything.”
“Beyond PROUD,” someone else said.
While she’s received many positive comments, some people have disagreed with her decision.
She added: “I got a lot [of negative comments] when I was about to have surgery, such as: ‘omg no give some to me’ or ‘why would you get rid of them, people pay for that.’
“Until you have oversized breasts, you don’t understand and it’s my body, my choice.
“Just do it, seek advice, do your research and take the leap – you won’t even know yourself.”
