A woman who says her 34KK breasts were “crushing” her body and spirit has gone under the knife to make them six cup sizes smaller – and can finally walk the streets without people staring.
Kaeleen Stammers is finally able to be herself without the weight of her chest affecting her confidence and everyday life.
The Londoner has spent £7,800 on surgery to take her breasts from a 34KK to 34F, and is over the moon with her new look.
For Kaeleen, this isn’t just about her appearance; the 24-year-old has spent years trapped in her own body, feeling constantly tired and in pain.
“Having big breasts was a daily struggle, there wasn’t one moment of relief,” she told NeedToKnow.Online.
“My tight bras would dig into my shoulders, rib cage and sides, sometimes cutting my skin and always marking it terribly.
“I had to sleep with two sports bras just to be semi-comfortable but I always under the crushing weight of my breasts.
“Doctors removed 2.6kg of breast tissue and fat and it wasn’t until afterwards that I realised I was able to breath properly and expand my lungs for what felt like the first time ever.
“I can also walk down the street without people staring.
“Before the surgery, men would stare all day, every day, and on occasion tut because they thought I had gotten ridiculous implants.
“Women also gave me dirty looks and clutched their partner’s hand and searched their eyes to make sure they weren’t looking at me.
“I started wearing baggy clothes so I wouldn’t make them feel insecure or welcome a male gaze.”
Unable to get her operation funded through the NHS due to her BMI, Kaeleen opted to go private, booking in her surgery with Dr Lyndsey Highton in June 2022.
The recovery wasn’t easy; she spent two weeks bed-bound and in pain, with her dad, Steph Briggs, and best friend, Ranvia Johal, looking after her.
She added: “My experience was absolutely wonderful but very emotional.
“My doctor did a fantastic job, and the hospital staff and aftercare was fantastic.
“I remember being so terrified that I would open my wounds and feeling so weak I didn’t believe I could leave the hospital the next day but the staff looked after me until I was released.
“The first weeks were very, very painful and I had to understand how morphine worked, as well as figure out what dosage was right for me.
“It was also frustrating not being able to do anything for myself.
“My dad waited on me hand and foot, bringing me meals that my mum cooked, adjusting my pillows and watching over me.
“He barely slept.”
Having since fully recovered, Kaeleen is excited about the future, no longer having to avoid social gatherings for worries that people will stare at her chest.
She said: “[Before the surgery, I would dread any social events, especially during summer because I would be swelteringly hot, my inner arms getting shredded by my side boob and scratchy bra.
“Now I feel completely and entirely free to express myself through fashion each day, I’m always excited to try new clothing and see how it falls on my new figure.
“I’m also free to exercise at long last, so I’ve been heavily into pilates and yoga [for the past few months], and I’m hoping to start my passion of netball again sometime this year.
“I feel like I have a new lease on life and don’t have to second-guess my hopes, dreams, desires and capability of doing mundane things.”
Kaeleens has also recently taken to TikTok to share her journey, in the hopes that it will help others.
Speaking to anyone also wanting a reduction, she added: “Don’t wait too long!
“It will be the best decision you have ever made, join breast reduction communities on Facebook and other places to understand more about the tops and tricks to healing well.
“But every person I’ve seen wished they’d done it years before, in their prime years.
“Your body will look, feel and change drastically after the operation but go with the flow and the process!”
