A 22-year-old Brazilian woman, Thaynara Marcondes, is reclaiming her life after an extraordinary 10-hour surgery removed 22 pounds of excess breast tissue caused by a rare condition known as gigantomastia.
The disease led her breasts to grow uncontrollably — nearly 1.7 pounds every month — leaving her in chronic pain and unable to perform daily activities.
Before surgery, Marcondes struggled to find clothes that fit and even faced public ridicule, as strangers accused her of hiding stolen goods in her clothing.
The rapid growth caused severe back and neck pain, forcing her to rely on a wheelchair at times. After raising $7,200 through crowdfunding, she finally underwent successful breast-reduction surgery in October.
Though she has lost nipple sensation and will be unable to breastfeed, Marcondes says the operation changed her life. “I look in the mirror and think, ‘Wow, I look so beautiful,’” she told CNN Brazil. Doctors continue to monitor her in case of regrowth, but for now, Thaynara is celebrating her recovery and newfound confidence after years of physical and emotional struggle.
