S'porean woman, 38, gets breast reduction from E to C cup, says only regret is not doing it sooner

Ever since 38-year-old Rebecca Ng can remember, she has been teased and called names because of one part of her body — her breasts.

They were a constant source of frustration for her. Apart from the jokes, they got in the way of simple daily activities, like running or playing sports.

The discomfort only worsened after she became a mother. While breastfeeding, her breasts grew even larger, going from a D to an E-cup.

But undergoing breast reduction surgery granted her a "new lease of life", she said.

She tells Mothership how she decided to go ahead with the procedure — and how her "life changed completely."

The pains of having a bigger bust

Ng shared that her cup size increased rapidly from a B to a D in her mid-teens, when she was in secondary school.

"One unfortunate thing about having big breasts was the name-calling. They had nicknames for me in Hokkien, such as 'big-breasted girl'," she said.

"I quickly learned to laugh along with the jokes and not let the remarks get to me because I figured out that if I protested or resisted too much, the jokes would probably get worse."

Deep down, however, the comments affected her and made her wish she had smaller breasts.

Another challenge was that her larger bust made it difficult to participate in sports, particularly after giving birth.

"Simple things like running felt impossible, and I rarely felt comfortable doing high-impact activities because my breasts always seemed to be in the way," she said.

Rather than deal with the discomfort and frustration, Ng simply stopped taking part in such activities.

Chronic pain

When she started suffering from chronic pain in her neck, shoulders, and back, she did not realise that the weight of her breasts was the underlying cause.

The signs were there, however.

While breastfeeding, her bra size had increased to a 36E.

But she did not make the connection between her symptoms and her breasts, instead seeking pain relief from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners.

It was only after she began Googling her symptoms out of curiosity that she realised her breast size could be the cause of her pain.

Even then, she had no one to discuss her concerns with or refer her to a plastic surgeon.

The turning point

Despite diet and exercise, nothing resolved the pain or made her chest smaller.

In 2024, after her second child had finished breastfeeding, Ng noticed that the sagging and drooping of her breasts — known medically as breast ptosis — had become severe.

That was when she decided it was time for more drastic action.

Ng consulted Dr Lee Hanjing of Argent Plastic Surgery at Mount Alvernia Hospital.

She had met Lee once, when accompanying a friend to her clinic. After setting up a meeting for herself, they "hit it off straight away".

It was this chemistry that gave her the confidence to proceed with surgery, she added.

After assessing her condition, Lee confirmed that a substantial breast reduction would help alleviate the chronic neck and back pain that had been affecting her for so many years.

In the end, around 700g to 800g of breast tissue was removed — roughly 350g to 400g from each breast.

As the procedure was deemed medically necessary, insurance covered most of the cost, making the decision much easier.

Reservations about the surgery

When Ng's family found out about her plans, they were more nervous than she was.

The most supportive person was her husband, who had known about her wish to undergo breast reduction surgery for many years.

As for Ng, she said she felt calm throughout the process.

She said she knew it was the right decision for her.

Post-surgery

Ng underwent the surgery in December 2024, a little under two years ago.

The first two weeks of recovery, she recalls, were "uncomfortable".

"The dressings were sticky and awkward, and I had to wear a surgical undergarment that was really tight around my breasts. At around week three post-surgery, the scars got quite itchy, which made me briefly wonder why I was putting myself through it," she said.

Despite the discomfort, she said she noticed the physical benefits almost immediately.

"When I woke up from surgery, I was so relieved to find that the weight on my chest was no longer there," she shared.

By the one-month mark, the improvements became even more apparent.

She was finally able to wear pretty lingerie and clothes that fit her body well.

In fact, about three weeks after surgery, she went on a shopping spree in Guangzhou, China, and thoroughly enjoyed trying on clothes that complemented her figure.

Life changed completely

"My life has changed completely," Ng said.

"I feel amazing, like I got a new lease of life, and my body is finally where I have always wanted it to be."

Her bra size went from a 36E to a 34C, while the number of activities she could comfortably enjoy increased dramatically.

These include running, golfing, Pilates and taekwondo, to name a few.

Ng's newfound confidence was evident. She carried herself differently, and even started receiving invitations to speak at work.

"I have not regretted the decision for a single moment. If anything, my only regret is that I did not do it sooner," said Ng, who works in insurance.

Perceptions about breast reduction surgery

According to Ng's doctor, Lee, discussions surrounding breast health and physical discomfort can carry a "layer of private hesitation" in Singapore.

"Many women cope silently, trying to manage the physical strain through structural undergarments or lifestyle adjustments rather than seeking out a specialist medical evaluation," she said.

As many individuals do not formally step forward or recognise their pain as a clinical issue, local data on women facing such issues remains scarce, she added.

However, Lee said there has been a "steady flow" of patients seeking treatment, suggesting many women continue to live with the daily physical burden of larger-sized breasts.

Ng believes many women hesitate to undergo breast reduction surgery because of the stigma that it is a cosmetic or vanity procedure.

But for women who are considering breast reduction surgery, Ng has one piece of advice:

“Don’t overthink it. If this is the right surgery for you, just do it.”