NEED TO KNOW
- Sports Illustrated model Gigi Robinson underwent breast reduction earlier this year
- Robinson — who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome — says the surgery, which saw her go from a 34E to a 34B, has positively impacted her overall health after years of chronic pain
- “My goal was rooted in my desire to overcome chronic illness,” the 28-year-old told the New York Post
Sports Illustrated model Gigi Robinson is speaking out about the positive effects her breast reduction surgery has had on her health.
Robinson, who appeared as a SI Swim Search finalist in 2022, had breast reduction surgery to reduce her cup size from a 34E down to a 34B after years of experiencing chronic pain amid her diagnosis with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, per the New York Post.
“It was never a cosmetic thing for me. My goal was not to get a breast reduction to be smaller or to lose weight,” the 28-year-old told the outlet. “My goal was rooted in my desire to overcome chronic illness.”
Robinson was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome at around age 10 or 11, per the New York Post. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition weakens the body’s connective tissue, affecting the skin, muscles and joints. Symptoms include bruising easily, scarring, overly flexible joints and joint and muscle pain.
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Robinson told the New York Post that growing up with her condition was “really challenging” as she suffered “chronic migraines, fatigue and brain fog.”
“I could not exercise without a lot of pressure in my neck and my shoulders and my back,” she continued to the outlet. “And getting imaging and trying things like acupuncture and cupping, cold plunge, sauna — all those things have helped me with my pain and fatigue, but it was so specific to my upper abdominals and upper body.”
“By the time I got to college, I really realized how much of an impact living with a chronic illness had on me,” she added.
The 5-foot-4-inch tall model underwent other surgery in 2022 and switched to an organic diet, but she was still experiencing severe neck and shoulder pain.
It was then that she decided to undergo a breast reduction, with the surgery taking place earlier this year.
“I had three or four different consults and all the doctors said, ‘We think you could benefit from this,’ ” Robinson told the New York Post. “They have a certain amount of tissue that they have to keep alive and keep in order to make your body still function the right way.”
While Robinson explained that the doctors couldn’t guarantee how many cup sizes down she’d be after surgery, she confirmed in a TikTok video posted in January that she was now a size 34B as she posed in lounge wear indoors after the surgery.
“The 34E to 34B shift is wild to me,” Robinson wrote alongside the clip. “I’m so happy. Can’t wait to be on this journey with you❤️ #itsgigirobinson #surgeryrecover #breastreduction.”
Robinson had soreness during the first week post-op, which she said was “really hard” and was slow to heal as a result of her condition, she told the New York Post. Despite this, she shared that she’s very happy with the results and said “things fit way different than they used to — in a good way.”
“You have to think about the limitations that people living with a larger chest and/or a chronic illness may be suffering,” she said. “Losing weight is not necessarily a great option. It also perpetuates the idea that you’re getting a breast reduction because you wanna be smaller.”
Robinson added that “the only regret I have — like many other women — is I wish I did this sooner.”
Read the full article here
