Last week, my husband rescued me from feeling like the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” — as if I didn’t have a brain, weighed down by stubborn brain fog that lingered far too long. He wrote about his perspective on my breast reduction surgery, which made me realize I hadn’t shared my own experience yet.

I’d been planning and hoping for a breast reduction for years — no exaggeration. My first attempt happened about eight years ago, before we moved to Wisconsin. My neurologist back then wasn’t very familiar with myasthenia gravis (MG). It was going to be an outpatient procedure, but that isn’t ideal for those of us with MG. Thankfully, the anesthesiologist on my case understood the risks and didn’t want to proceed.

Since then, the idea of a breast reduction stayed quietly in the back of my mind. I was a big-chested woman who couldn’t wear bras for support because the tight band made my shortness of breath worse. When diaphragm weakness trumps breast support, you learn to stop caring what others think. In a way, it helped me hone my “I don’t give a crap” attitude. I stopped worrying about what society thought of me traipsing around braless in public.

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Once my current neurologist and I established a treatment plan that managed my MG symptoms, I started seriously considering breast reduction again. He was supportive and gave me the green light to pursue it as a medically necessary surgery. Last summer, I met with the plastic surgery department at a Veterans Affairs facility, and my assigned surgeon agreed I was a strong candidate. Best of all, he understood MG and the special precautions that are required.

It took a few months to get all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed, but by Dec. 1, 2025, it was finally time for surgery. I stayed overnight, with my neurologist on site in case I had any complications coming out of anesthesia.

Thankfully, everything went smoothly. The extra precautions worked. When I woke up, I learned the surgery was a success and nearly 7 pounds of tissue had been removed from my chest. That was 7 pounds my body no longer has to fight every time I take a breath.

Since then, I haven’t experienced a single episode of air hunger. I can finally take a deep breath without having to manually lift my breasts. I can even wear cute clothes I never could before. Sometimes, it really is the little things that make the biggest difference.

To prepare for surgery, I asked my surgeon and neurologist every question I could think of. My care team was fully involved. We kept my prednisone dosage stable instead of tapering it and increased my dosage of intravenous immunoglobulin. I avoided public spaces as much as possible to lower the risk of getting sick.

On the day of surgery, a seasoned anesthesiologist and a dedicated technician were present for close monitoring. People with MG need a tailored combination of sedation medications, and both professionals were fully aware and vigilant. That alone eased a huge amount of my anxiety.

I went from an F-plus cup to a C cup — a dramatic shift, considering that’s 3.5 pounds per breast. While this is the most obvious change, the real benefits go far beyond appearance. I breathe easier, feel better overall, and sleep more soundly. All of that has led to more fun, intimate moments with my husband. No complaints here.

Living with MG means constantly balancing what your body can handle with what improves your quality of life. We’re often told to just tolerate discomfort and keep adapting. But sometimes, making a change isn’t about vanity or convenience — it’s about removing an unnecessary burden so your body can handle the basic things it already struggles with.

This surgery didn’t cure my MG or magically fix everything. What it did was give my body one less thing to fight. One less drain on my already limited energy. One less obstacle to breathing, sleeping, and simply existing in my own skin.

One lesson I’ve learned is that seeking relief isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a strategy. It’s self-respect. And sometimes, it’s exactly what your body has been asking for all along.

Note: Myasthenia Gravis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Myasthenia Gravis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to myasthenia gravis.