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

The Pains of Having a Bigger Bust

Rebecca Ng, a 38-year-old Singaporean woman, has been living with large breasts since her teenage years. Her cup size increased rapidly from a B to a D in her mid-teens, and she was constantly teased and called names because of it. The discomfort only worsened after she became a mother, and her breasts grew even larger while breastfeeding.

Ng shared that her larger bust made it difficult for her 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.

Chronic Pain and the Turning Point

When Ng 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 Decision to Go Ahead with Surgery

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.

The Procedure and Recovery

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.

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.

Life Changed Completely

Despite the discomfort, Ng 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. "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."