Bio: All of my life after puberty I knew I was different. My breasts were abnormally asymmetrical. In high school I was flat chested on my left side and a large B cup on the right side. My family and friends knew that I had this abnormality but many people didn’t know because of my ability to disguise it. I made a few rules for myself to follow like having to wear heavily padded bras, no stripes, no low cut shirts, and the worst part was swim suits. A few people would recognize it and actually ask me if my boobs were uneven and I would simply reply yes. I wasn’t necessarily embarrassed by it but I definitely wasn’t going around telling people. After I graduated I wanted to undergo surgery to correct this deformity before I went off to college. My mother took me to a plastic surgeon who was very willing to do the surgery but my mother wasn’t ready to have me such a “big surgery” at such a young age. For 2 more years I constantly asked her to let me have the surgery and she finally agreed to have another consultation this summer. I went to a surgeon that she had heard highly of and he informed me that I had a rare disorder called Poland syndrome. Having heard the news I wasn’t sure what it was or what it actually entailed. He informed me that Poland syndrome is basically a disorder that can affect the pectoral muscle development and often leads to breasts being underdeveloped. It can also lead to webbed fingers but I’m all good in that department. This occurs because while in the womb there is a circulation problem with blood flow from the chest to the hands and that generally leads to underdeveloped muscles or hand abnormalities. It has also been proven that this happens more often in males than females and also is more common on the right side of the body than the left. I however am a female that was affected on the left side. Hearing this news he informed me that there was a great chance my insurance would cover my surgery and that he could write a letter of recommendation saying that he believes it’s Poland syndrome. A month later I was lucky enough to have my insurance cover my surgery and I got a breast augmentation on my underdeveloped (left) breast. My surgeon also lifted my right breast slightly and changed the size of my areola to best match my new breast implant. He told me after the surgery that my pectoral muscle was definitely underdeveloped and that he was 100% certain it was Poland syndrome. It has been about 2 months after my breast augmentation and my new chest is healing and looking better than I could have ever imagined. I decided to do this AmA because I would have really liked knowing that I wasn’t alone in this condition when I was younger. I’d like to inform people who maybe aren’t aware of this syndrome and also let people know who have it that they aren’t alone :)

My Proof http://imgur.com/a/OKOgr

EDIT: Thanks so much for all the positive feedback! Feel free to continue asking questions, making comments, or sharing your own personal story! I will try to continue acknowledging as many people as I can! You've all been very very kind to me and my situation!

Comments: 2352 • Responses: 106  • Date: 

ny2la3378 karma

[deleted]

polandsyndrome1070 karma

hahaha that would have probably been more interesting!

polandsyndrome199 karma

hahahaha very funny

polandsyndrome178 karma

that shit cray

mOuntain_molehill1848 karma

Throwaway...

They didn't have a name for it when I went through the same thing 20 years ago. I'm 36 and have lived with a left breast implant since I was 16.

I've never talked about it much and therefore have never met anyone who knows what it's like to only have one breast. But I'll tell you what it's like 20 years later. My tits look great. Yeah, one's a little perkier than the other, but I hardly ever notice it.

Did they do a "gradual" implant on you? Mine went like this: Plastic surgeon inserted an empty balloon under my breast tissue. It had a small tube that ran under my skin to my underarm. I visited his office weekly to have saline injected into the tube to inflate the balloon gradually to decrease the chance of stretch marks. When it was sized to our liking, he did the math and an implant was customized for a second surgery. Pretty neat, actually!

The insurance companies were another story. My mom fought them tooth and nail to cover the surgery. At one point I found myself in a conference room with a bunch of suited execs, taking my shirt off to show them this was a real deformity, not some teenager who wanted a boob job. It. Was. Humiliating.

Thank you for posting this AMA. I'm glad to hear when "my condition" occurs these days, it's more likely to be covered by insurance. You have a great attitude! And great tits!

polandsyndrome474 karma

I'm really sorry that you had a bad experience with the insurance. I know that I was lucky having mine be covered completely. I just had the saline implant inserted at once. My surgeon did however tell me that silicone wouldn't have been possible because my skin was so tight. Recovery was definitely really really tight so maybe yours wasn't similar in that sense. I'm glad that people who go through similar situations are able to read this and share their story as well! Thank you very much for the awesome tip for the future (: and also the compliment!

mOuntain_molehill214 karma

I think there's a certain amount of tightness in every augmentation, I was instructed to do the same massaging you were told to do. It helps with the tightness. You might have been told not to wear an underwire bra for a long time. Another commenter suggested r/abrathatfits, it's a great sub. I think I wore sports bras exclusively for about a year after surgery. But that first trip to the beach I didn't cover up in a t-shirt? Priceless!

polandsyndrome202 karma

Yeah that was definitely the worst part but for me that is completely gone already after just two months. I was told not to wear an underwire bra for the first month... in fact I just went out and bought my first underwire bra yesterday ______^ You can't beat the feeling! I'll be looking forward to next summer :D Thanks for sharing your experience with me! I've honestly never met someone who went through the same thing.

mOuntain_molehill186 karma

You have many confidence-boosting moments ahead of you! But the best comes when you realize you haven't given it a single thought in months. Happy to bond, internet stranger! :D

polandsyndrome159 karma

Thank you (: It's been wonderful meeting you!

CANOODLING_SOCIOPATH770 karma

At first when I read your post I thought you had one giant breast with one nipple in the middle of your chest.

I'm glad to see I was wrong.

Also if people ask you if you got a boob job do you tell them the reason why? I'd love to be able to make extremely smug judgmental people feel really bad about being snarky.

polandsyndrome334 karma

I am also glad that wasn't the case! As far as people asking I don't mind telling people. I felt a little judged going into the surgery because no one knew why I was getting it at the hospital until I showed them. Generally people want to feel afterwards which I am also not opposed to. I think it's rare that people my age have a boob job.

crazy4finalfantasy174 karma

Wait, you let people feel you up when they ask about it?

polandsyndrome252 karma

Not really feel me up but people are generally curious to how it feels. So it's really like a nonsexual touch.

Flight714490 karma

So it's really like a nonsexual touch.

... for science, as it were.

polandsyndrome219 karma

exactly!

crazy4finalfantasy254 karma

Oh, I see. In that case can I see how it feels? Haha.

EDIT: Downvotes? Really? It was a fuckin joke.

polandsyndrome87 karma

hahahaha very funny!

catherinehavok32 karma

The after pictures reminded me of my post-reduction surgery, I was so scared to touch my boobs for so long, lol. Happy healing!

polandsyndrome72 karma

hahaha I was the opposite! I just wanted to look at them and touch them all day! Thank you so much!

Keasby_Knight8 karma

I read somewhere that boob jobs are the #1 gift given to girls as a graduation gift. So, not that uncommon.

polandsyndrome14 karma

I guess I meant uncommon in the sense that I don't personally know anyone else my age with a boob job. I'm sure there are many people though!

LeopardPrintLaye400 karma

I believe I have the same issue. Been struggling with it for years but never consulted a doctor about it after puberty. Thanks for being brave and informing me of something I should look into about myself. Cheers.

polandsyndrome197 karma

If it's something that really affects how you feel about yourself I'd recommend looking into it! I'm really glad I could help through my story! Best of luck (:

InformalDinner273 karma

Breast of luck* FTFY

but in all seriousness, you're awesome for trying to help people out

polandsyndrome139 karma

hahaha that's hilarious! Thank you so much! Breast of luck to you as well!

drunk_otter338 karma

o_0

polandsyndrome359 karma

_^

LostMyPasswordNewAcc125 karma

Use a \

before the ^

to prevent ^_^

from turning into

_^

polandsyndrome62 karma

THANK YOU! I was wondering what was happening there

NazzerDawk42 karma

Oddly appropriate, though, isn't it?

polandsyndrome7 karma

Yes!

SanneWrites323 karma

You are going to have a bitchin' rack when that all heals up completely.

polandsyndrome209 karma

hahaha LETS HOPE!

FlipStik141 karma

Going to require updates on the bitchin'-ness.

For science, of course...

polandsyndrome264 karma

hahahahahaha I now understand this for science thing!

blewgoat290 karma

My first daughter was born with Polands. She is almost 7 now. When she came out and the dr. threw her on my ex wifes chest, her hand smacked my wife right in the face. Thats when we noticed it was smaller and all the fingers were webbed, like one big finger. We said whats that, the nurse said "oh looks like shes got a little something going on". And right then my mother in law burst into the room all happy and shouts "let me see those ten little fingers and ten little toes". This all happened in about 1 minute. The good natured comment from the mother in law and what it must have felt like when she realized what we said in response was pretty distracting from the situation.

They immedialty started doing scans on the baby, took her away a few times, then sent a genetisist from childrens hospital to talk to us. We were told it was Polands within a few hours of birth.

After going through the major tests for problems with organs and heart we were able to go home. We had an appointment at childrens hospital a few days later. They told us all they could find was the hand deformity and that she was missing her right pectoral major muscle. In her hand she had all the bones, but she had no joints in her fingers, just her thumb. And the skin and muscle was all fused as one peice of flesh, like the palm of a hand. The small hand is about half the size of the other. After a few more appointments they scheduled her first surgery. At 6 months old they seperated her thumb and pinky. She had her 5th and last surgery for now when she was 4. She now has 5 fingers that bend at the palm, all 5 nails, and can use it without much difficulty. Still no joints in the fingers so grabbing large or round objects can be hard.

Each surgery was very scary for us. Not for her. She had trouble waking up once. About 2 weeks after her last surgery, she got a sliver in her toe from a picnic table at a beach. From it a month later she had a staff/strep infection in her blood and heart which damaged a valve. This caused juvanile rhymatoid arthritous. She had to be on steroids and all sorts of stuff a couple times daily. They wanted to amputate her leg at one time. Luckily it has been knocked down enough that she has no problems from it besides sore joints occationaly. But she will have complications for ever. She does have strength issues with her arm and chest, cant do a pushup. She is smart, active in sports and dance, well off socially, and seems to always be the "alpha" in her groups.

So after all those shannanigans in her early life, what scares me shitless and the most out of any of it is that her right chest is litterally sunk in and her mom had large breasts early in life. She handles people saying things about her hand just fine. Even when other kids pick on her. But I am petrified that as she gets older being made fun of will alter her personallity and take away all that she is now. I have accepted that in 10 years im going to go to jail for punching the shit out of some punk kid that breaks her soul.

However, seeing that you made it through your teens with one breast and judging by your comments you are not a social hermit and have a bright outlook on life, I have a renewed hope for her quality of life. Seriously, thank you for your post. It has settled a fathers mind. Thank you.

Btw, yes, Polands is somewhat considered genetic because some families will have generations with it. And with a different mother I have had another daughter and another daughter due next month. It was intense waiting to see that one come out and find nothing wrong, and just as intense waiting for this one.

polandsyndrome106 karma

Wow!!! Your daughters story is so much more serious than mine but I'm really glad that everything is going well for her! Honestly if you can teach her that looks aren't everything and that she has a personality to die for and regardless of what anyone else thinks she is beautiful I know your daughter will live a wonderful and happy life like I have! I can tell by your post that you are a great father and that she will be just fine! Congrats on having such an awesomely unique kid! If she can get through school she can do anything! Congrats on your newest child! I hope everything works out wonderfully for you and your family!

DanDub81282 karma

What does Poland have to do with only having one breast?

polandsyndrome33 karma

well Poland syndrome deals with the circulation while babies are developing. The issue is the flow from the chest to the hand which can lead to underdeveloped breasts.

DanDub8171 karma

I meant the country Poland. Sorry for the bad joke.

polandsyndrome70 karma

hahah that was my first thought... but I didn't want to respond that way if you hadn't meant it! It was a good joke!

iamesauce178 karma

you're so adorably new to Reddit, aren't you.

polandsyndrome90 karma

yessssss TT_TT

arghhmonsters15 karma

Leave while you still have your innocence.

polandsyndrome15 karma

haha but it seems so fun~

SwEcky18 karma

That is how it starts...

polandsyndrome14 karma

seems worth it

Deccie232 karma

I am a 21 year old male with this on my right hand side. It has always occurred to me how much of a bigger deal this must be for girls. I forget I have it until someone reminds me. Glad you feel better now!

polandsyndrome84 karma

Thanks so much! I hope you haven't had any major issues with it either!

Deccie61 karma

Haha, it's nothing really. Felt very lucky when I found out how it affects other people.

polandsyndrome55 karma

me too! I am definitely on the side of it being really mild!

PissedFurious189 karma

[deleted]

polandsyndrome54 karma

hahahaha

monptitfeu172 karma

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS Ever since I joined reddit I've contemplated doing an AMA on this, but frankly I was too afraid. I also have Poland syndrome, but it sounds as though a lot of what I've gone through has been quite different from you. I hope you don't mind if I share my experience to give another perspective :)

Prior to surgery, I was less than flat on the right side. Picture starving African child ribs and you'll have an idea of what it looked like. I also don't have a nipple or mammary glands. In an attempt to appear normal, I wore prostheses during my adolescence. I made the mistake, however, of telling a "friend" when I was about 8, who later spread it to other girls. So I was bullied, and it really fucking sucked. I had zero confidence and hated my body. But it did help me learn to pick better friends.

When I was 19, my plastic surgeon decided I was ready for surgery. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you're my boyfriend) my natural breast is rather large so trying to make both sides even has been a challenge. In just over two years I have had five surgeries (yay Canadian health care system, haven't paid a cent.)

Ever since I began my reconstruction, my confidence has skyrocketed. I was also lucky enough to find an amazing boyfriend who couldn't care less, and I think that has also played a large part in helping me love myself. I've come to terms with the fact that I will always be different, but that doesn't mean I'm not beautiful.

Oh and I also let my friends that know about my implant touch it haha I would be curious too if I were them! Thanks again for posting and best of luck with your new rack! :)

polandsyndrome51 karma

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I'm sorry that you had a harder time with it growing up but it's great that you are happy with your results now! Also props to your boyfriend for being so understanding! I know it is really nice having someone to love you for you!

TheGreatPastaWars147 karma

You could have been a champion archer prior to the surgery. Sigh.

Question: any idea on if this affects your ability to nurse should you ever want to have a child and breastfeed that child?

polandsyndrome73 karma

Could I? haha My surgeon told me that it shouldn't affect anything with nursing when the time comes. I still do have one natural breast so I would imagine that if I can't on the underdeveloped side that I would be able to on the normal side.. hopefully that makes sense.

UnrelatedComa76 karma

I think it was a reference to female warriors that would deliberately amputate one breast to fire a bow better. Ancient thing. Can't recall the culture it originates from.

polandsyndrome35 karma

Ah! Thanks for telling me... being new to reddit and apparently random information I definitely answer things inappropriately!

DrMoomoo14 karma

i hadn't even thought of this, does Poland effect the mammary glands or is it only the pectoral muscle? And if the condition only effected the muscle did the surgery effect the glands? I guess its really only a big deal if you have twins that are hungry at the same time though.

polandsyndrome24 karma

I was told that it only affected the pectoral muscle. All else with the glands should be a-ok! As far as the surgery goes they said that I should still be able to breast feed. Also, thank goodness for breast pumps!

lolzergrush101 karma

Do they make informational pamphlets for breast augmentation to correct Poland syndrome, and if so, what are they like? Maybe I'm just a horribly deranged person after midnight but I envision it would go something like this:

One breast,

Two breasts,

Old breasts,

New breasts.

Cut breasts,

Bruised breasts,

Black and blue breasts.

This one has a little scar.

That one's almost healed by far.

Say! What a lot of boobs there are.

Yes. Some are big. And some are small.

Some are short. And some are tall.

Some hang low. And some are tight.

And some are very, very white.

Why are they tight and small and white?

That is only the one on the right.

Some are thin. And some are round.

The left one has a shapely mound.

From there to here, from here to there,

different boobs are everywhere.

Here are some who like to wiggle.

When the girl runs they give a jiggle.

Oh me! Oh my! Oh me! Oh my!

What a lot of bouncy jugs go by.

Some have two bumps and some have four.

Some have six bumps and some have more.

Where do they come from? I can’t say.

But I think they're perfectly fine that way.

Say!

Look at her nipples! One...two...three?

How many nipples do I see?

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

She has eleven! Eleven! This is something new.

I wish I had eleven, too!

Why are they that way?

I cannot say?

But society has come a long, long way!

Boobs will come, and boobs will go,

They stay the same or they will grow.

Some are far apart, and some almost connect.

Some seem like their nipples are always erect.

Some have splotches and some are flecked,

But there is no such thing as boobs that are "perfect".

It's okay to reshape your boobies anew,

But you should only aim to please one person; that's you!

(To be fair I've been going through a bit of a Dr. Seuss phase lately...I should get some sleep.)

polandsyndrome12 karma

You have a gift my friend!

Bat_turd101 karma

Good for you to raise awareness. :) Hope you are happy with your surgery.

polandsyndrome60 karma

I definitely am! Thanks so much (:

orthogonality25 karma

Just curious: were you given an option to have the right breast reduced, instead?

Edit: I mean this as a serious question about the possible medical interventions for Poland syndrome.

polandsyndrome53 karma

I went in to the plastic surgeons office wanting an implant so I didn't even ask about the other option. I'd rather have full B cups than AA!

bkkc8786 karma

Do you think you'll enjoy being motorboated?

polandsyndrome170 karma

I know I do :D

polandsyndrome31 karma

hahahahhaa

britters1167 karma

I too am a female that was born with Poland syndrome! I have 2 breasts but am pretty concave on my left side (missing side) the doctors aren't sure what the breast tissue has attached it self too but we aren't complaining! I also have an extra rib or two, and my spine is fused- only 6 vertebrae but it makes things interesting none the less. These are all related as Poland syndrome is kind of a catch all for various deformities. I'm very athletic and active so I definitely feel the lack of strength in my left side but have never let it stop me! So awesome to meet someone else that understands!

polandsyndrome36 karma

That is really awesome! I'm glad you haven't let it stop you from doing anything. Hopefully our stories can help other people do the same (: It's great meeting people who have similar cases!

britters1145 karma

Totally! Your awesome for being such a strong woman! When they diagnosed me at around age 7 the nurse (total bitch) looked at my mom and said "well she'll never wear an evening gown". When I was a Frosh in highschool I went to my first dance and damned if I didn't wear an evening gown!

polandsyndrome22 karma

haha I'm glad you stuck it to her! It's great meeting people who can get over appearance and live a happy life regardless of these things. I hope you continue to live your life to the fullest!

captbringdown60 karma

Did you ever feel "less womanly?" because of this? A lot of people, men & women both, put a lot of stock in the size of a woman's breasts. I personally think that is a silly idea.

polandsyndrome105 karma

I definitely felt less confident in myself because of it. I was really worried that men wouldn't find me attractive for it if they noticed or if I were ever in a situation with my shirt off. As far as women go they didn't really care. I feel much sexier after the surgery and I think I could confidently take off my shirt even with the scars.

captbringdown64 karma

In the end, it's really all about how YOU feel. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of yourself. As a lady, they look great.

polandsyndrome35 karma

Thank you very much (:

amigodemoose13 karma

In the least creepy non sexual way imaginable, I get the vibe that you're cute. I'm glad you've got the confidence now and I hope everything works out for you kiddo.

polandsyndrome18 karma

Not creepy at all! I appreciate the positive vibes! Thank you

tunersharkbitten6 karma

you should never feel less than other people. you are you, and they are them. be yourself and to hell with those that judge you. so you were born with a condition. most people have SOME form of condition or abnormality. yours just so happened to be a bit more noticeable. doesnt make you any less of a human being.

chin up beautiful. be confident in yourself, or fake it if you have to. sooner or later others may catch on...

polandsyndrome7 karma

Thanks so much! Your kind words are very uplifting to a young woman!

lafox49 karma

I know you probably won't get to read this..but your story sounds exactly like mine (even down to your age and the timing of the operation) except I was never diagnosed and am making payments on my surgery. I knew there was a syndrome of some sort but when I asked my plastic surgeon if there was any way insurance would pay for it he said there wasn't. I posted a few months ago asking opinions on my surgery before I had it, and everyone dogged on me for wanting to change myself. I went ahead with it and am much happier, but now frustrated that I'm a college student paying for a surgery that should have been paid for. If you know any other information from doctors about this condition, could you let me know? I'd at least like to have some knowledge of it. Then, maybe, I can mention it to my surgeon at my next check up and see what he says.

polandsyndrome35 karma

That is really such a bummer that your surgeon didn't know about it. The first surgeon I saw also had no idea what it was and didn't mention it at all! Luckily my mom being a nurse wanted a second opinion and that is really the first time I'd heard about it. Even still today I'm really not that educated on what it is because the only problem it gave me I had fixed. I hope that you can discuss it with your surgeon and maybe there is something that could be done? Best of luck!

Fora_Fauna47 karma

Obligatory plug for /r/ABraThatFits, especially now that you've had surgery and may need different bras.

Any idea how detectable it is in males? Obviously for girls we've got breasts and notice the difference, but guys don't really grow unless they're working out. Also, was there any sign of this before puberty?

polandsyndrome25 karma

As far as males go I only have googled pictures. It is also pretty noticeable for them. Most of the pictures of google you can tell because of nipple placement or the other muscle is bigger. I honestly didn't notice anything before puberty seeing that I was flat chested all around at that time.

ThemBonesAreMe41 karma

F1 2x World Champion Fernando Alonso also has Poland Syndrome

polandsyndrome17 karma

I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing!

PounderMcNasty28 karma

Do they feel similar to each other, or are they noticeably different?

polandsyndrome73 karma

They feel really different. My plastic surgeon said that with time the saline implant will eventually feel softer (I have to massage it). Even though they feel different I think they are more pleasing to the eye which helps a lot with confidence.

PounderMcNasty32 karma

You look great. Good work.

polandsyndrome21 karma

Thank you very much!

shark_eating_unicorn27 karma

Are they still slightly different sizes and shapes?

polandsyndrome49 karma

The shape is the biggest difference visually. My natural boob obviously sags more and implants aren't all the way sunk in until a year is up. So for now my implant is still a little higher but nothing a bra can't fix!

shark_eating_unicorn27 karma

I didn't know implants did that. Thank you

polandsyndrome28 karma

Yeah in the pictures you can see that the implant looked like really ridiculous after the surgery but it seriously drops little by little over time. You're welcome!

shark_eating_unicorn24 karma

It does look better already! Good luck with your drooping!

polandsyndrome38 karma

hahaha only with the left side! The right can stop drooping and I'd be REALLY content. Thank you!

Jrook2 karma

I'm sure you're aware that most girls have different sized/shaped breasts anyway, so it really wouldn't be that noticeable from the perspective of a lover

polandsyndrome2 karma

My case was really severe and honestly I got it done more for myself not for others.

is45toooldforreddit37 karma

Pretty much every pair of breasts are slightly different sizes. At least every pair I've ever seen...

polandsyndrome27 karma

Yeah that is what I've heard but in my case it was very extreme. A lot of people I told didn't really understand the severity of it so they would just tell me that every has different sized boobs.

is45toooldforreddit34 karma

Oh yeah, I know. What I meant was, don't worry if they're still slightly different sizes after surgery, because that's perfectly normal.

polandsyndrome21 karma

well thank you very much for the consolation!

murderwaffle23 karma

My younger sister also has Poland syndrome and is considering getting an implant. Thank you for doing this!!

polandsyndrome16 karma

You're welcome! Please share my story with her and let her know it really is worth it if you are self conscious about it!

MattyD12321 karma

awesome ama. So the people who know you and your conidition, do you they ever call you biggie smalls?

polandsyndrome24 karma

I WISH! I need an awesome nickname! My sister once called me strawberries and pancakes... because it looked like a strawberry on top of a pancake.

MattyD1238 karma

Ill tag you as biggie smalls and you can use it all you'd like haha

polandsyndrome16 karma

whoop whoop! NOTORIOUS!

Vertskater10121 karma

How has this affected your relationships? Especially after your surgery. Thanks!

polandsyndrome69 karma

As far as relationships go I've only had one boyfriend and he really didn't mind the difference. He actually told me he would prefer if I didn't have the surgery but that relationship didn't last. Now I have an on going joke that I'm the best of both worlds.

Vertskater10116 karma

Thanks for the answer and good luck with your future relationships!

polandsyndrome17 karma

Thank you :)

L-Alt19 karma

I have/had the same thing. I didn't get the free lift! Medical covered the implant, but lifting the other and resizing the areola was deemed cosmetic and wasn't covered. You're lucky.

polandsyndrome21 karma

Yeah I was really really lucky!

eboss2816 karma

Is one more sensitive than the other?

polandsyndrome19 karma

The left side with the implant is much more sensitive!

BloodQueef_McOral14 karma

Not to troll, but is your ass symmetrical? What parts aren't?

polandsyndrome36 karma

haha everything else is symmetrical! It only affected my boobs.

BloodQueef_McOral19 karma

You sound confident, so I won't ask for proof.

polandsyndrome12 karma

I appreciate that! haha

Jaromero4354 karma

I don't believe you.

polandsyndrome8 karma

this seems to be a common thought! I guess you'll never know then!

Jaromero4352 karma

Making a joke about the post about pierced nipples.

polandsyndrome2 karma

All jokes aside. It's a possible future adventure!

Jaromero4353 karma

Pierced nipples for everyone!

polandsyndrome4 karma

holllaaa!

xopher31413 karma

My fiancee has something similar to this. She has one A cup breast and one C, almost D cup. Never knew there was a name for it.

She has no desire to get an implant or anything. She's fine with it and so am I.

I call it the "best of both worlds".

polandsyndrome23 karma

the breast of both worlds!!! Thanks for sharing!

learningtowalkagain12 karma

Wow. The bruised up pics gave me chills. I was like, "ohhhh you poor baby!!"

Seems like you're doing good, though. I'm happy for you. Congrats on reaching your goal. :D

polandsyndrome7 karma

Haha it looks worse than it felt! I'm doing great! Thank you very much!

Saysbadman12 karma

Thanks for the post! It was an interesting read. It's always cool learn about something new especially with a good out come. My family has a rare genetic abnormality called hht that also goes un diagnosed. Good luck in your journeys!

polandsyndrome12 karma

I'd be interested to hear about it! I'm glad you gained something from my post! Thanks and you too!

JulieCakes7 karma

Before discovering you had this, did you ever find that exercise requiring the use of your left pectoral muscles seemed harder on that side than on the right? Did you achieve the same amount soreness after say, doing a lot of push-ups, or none at all?

polandsyndrome13 karma

Well I mean I am definitely weaker on my left side... but I honestly believed that it was because my right side is my dominant side. I can't really confirm if that were the case or if I felt weaker because of Poland syndrome. In terms of exercise I generally felt the same amount of soreness (:

JulieCakes3 karma

Haha that's good! I just had this dreaded image of being in a gym class and not being able to do something and well...kids be mean. Thanks for answering and best of luck in everything!

polandsyndrome2 karma

Thank you!

Televisions_Frank6 karma

Ugh, the internet has ruined me and I can't help thinking, "You forgot Poland!" You also forgot a breast, God.

Thanks for teaching me something new today. Here's to everything turning out right for ya, lady.

(now excuse me while I look up why it's called Poland syndrome and not Amazonian syndrome)

polandsyndrome6 karma

hahaha thank you! I'm happy to have shared my story! Thanks for taking the time to learn about it!

NeedToSay6 karma

Damn it, for some reason I thought that meant you had one breast in the middle of your chest like a cyclops.

polandsyndrome5 karma

A lot of people seem to think this... I guess the title was slightly misleading!

heyheythroemaway5 karma

My Wife was born with three. One on the back, two in the front. It was weird at first, but then I realized it was great for slow dancing. Thanks, Evolution!

Seriously though. Most people have one kid. Seems like your ahead of the curve biologically speaking, OP.

Shame on everyone who thought Hitler invaded this fine future boob.

polandsyndrome4 karma

hahah your wife sounds frickin awesome! Thanks for the sense of humor! It's always nice to hear!

ScubaSteeeve5 karma

One of my ex-girlfriends had a breast that was significantly smaller than the other and was self-conscious about it, though I told her it didn't other me at all. I didn't realize until I saw your post just how seriously it can affect your self-esteem and body image.

My only question was going to be about whether you had the hand abnormalities or not, but looking below, it seems like you didn't have any of that, thankfully. I hope your recovery continues to go well!

polandsyndrome5 karma

Thanks so much! Yeah.. it's really more of a personal self esteem thing! I'm sure your not caring helped console her! Thanks for being non judgmental!

Joshua_Seed4 karma

I knew a girl like you. We slept together. She was super cool.

polandsyndrome6 karma

that's very interesting! I'm glad you enjoyed her

viciousmanjunk3 karma

If you like, i can confirm if you too are super cool. You know... For science!

polandsyndrome4 karma

hahahaha this for science thing gets funnier every time!

ga-rebel3 karma

I had a few questions but I've read the comments and they've already been answered. Think you looked very unique before the surgery. In a good way. Glad you're open minded about it. Go boobies!!

polandsyndrome3 karma

Well thank you! GO BOOBIES!

naruto32652 karma

Does it feel any different after having the surgery? And good for you on raising awareness

polandsyndrome4 karma

They do feel different but I think it was worth it. Also it's really weird having an implant because I can occasionally feel the implant move >.< Thank you!

ta9g2 karma

How much do you hate the movie total recall

polandsyndrome5 karma

Would it be shameful to say I've never seen it?

Illinformedpseudoint2 karma

I went a'Googling to figure out why it's called Poland Syndrome. FYI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland_syndrome#History

polandsyndrome3 karma

very interesting! Thank you for contributing that information! I've learned something new.

Scrapshark1 karma

Based on what you've seen how often is Poland syndrome as mild a case as yours?

Also just imagine, if you would have ended up with webbed finger you could be the best swimmer ever! I have 2 of my toes webbed on both feet sadly not enough to help with swimming.

polandsyndrome2 karma

Honestly, the only cases I've seen other than my own have been more extreme. I'm not really certain how many people have such a mild case because I think even amongst many people and even plastic surgeons it isn't known. The first surgeon I went to didn't say anything about Poland syndrome so I'm assuming it isn't very well studied.

polandsyndrome3 karma

hahahaha I wonder if that is actually a disappointment....

Dzdimi141 karma

I knew monoboobs existed!!!!

polandsyndrome4 karma

haha you're in luck!

meatballs121 karma

Ate you able to do push ups or any other excersises using both pectorals?

polandsyndrome2 karma

Haha I think the only reason I'm not really capable is because my upper body is just pretty weak! I have however been able to successfully do push ups and any other upper body exercises. I think my struggles are just from being out of shape (:

redditthefort1 karma

my roommate freshman year of college didnt have a right pectoral muscle, or possibly it was underdeveloped like yours is. he had a lot of issues with kidney and liver diseases (I wish i could remember exactly what they were). Did you have anything connected to your case like this?

polandsyndrome3 karma

I fortunately haven't had any other issues related to Poland syndrome. I'm pretty sure my case is extremely mild. I guess I'm very lucky in that sense!

Brown_Mustard1 karma

Look on the bright side... you have half the chance of getting breast cancer!

polandsyndrome2 karma

I'll add it to the list! Thank you :D

nothin_gold1 karma

How did this affect your balance?

In all seriousness, I didn't know this was a thing so thanks for posting. Happy recovery!

polandsyndrome4 karma

I don't think it did at all! You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to learn about Poland syndrome!

Foolrussian1 karma

Has your interaction with men increased since your surgery? Are you more apt to allow someone to touch your breasts? What's changed emotionally?

polandsyndrome7 karma

I recently got out of a long term relationship so my interaction with men hasn't really increased yet. If someone is interested I don't mind if someone takes a quick poke because I know if the tables were turned I'd also be curious. Emotionally I feel more confident in myself and am also more outgoing.

destinybond1 karma

Why did he operate on your right breast, as opposed to only altering the left one?

polandsyndrome3 karma

He did operate on my right breast. He did a slight lift and also changed the size of my areola because it would have been different even after the implant was placed on the left. Basically he did his best to make sure they would look as similar as possible in the end.

seal_raider1 karma

Very interesting. Was anything else effect by Poland Syndrome as well?

Also, it is my understanding that kids, girls in particular, can be quite mean about physical differences. Did you find this to be the case?

polandsyndrome2 karma

For me the only things affected were my pectoral muscle and my breast development. For other people there can be issues with hand development and that can include smaller fingers or webbed fingers. As far as people being mean I never experienced it. A lot of people didn't notice or didn't tell me so I never experienced any cases of bullying or anything.. luckily!

JoshAU1 karma

Do people in everyday life notice? I ask because I honestly couldn't really tell when you had a shirt on.

polandsyndrome2 karma

People don't really say anything to me about it. Before my surgery I would tell my closest friends and then they would notice. I had a few guys ask me about it so I'm assuming people noticed.

xDRxJoKeRx1 karma

Was your recovery painful ?

polandsyndrome3 karma

Recovery was tolerable. I had pain pills so it was really just very tight. I think being young it was easier for me. It felt a lot like someone had my left arm strapped to my body because lifting it was near impossible because of the tightness(because the implant is under the muscle).

MrNyroc1 karma

Has the surgery increased your confidence?

polandsyndrome3 karma

Oh 100% I feel way better about myself. It's nice being able to wear clothes and not having to worry about the twins.