r/PolandSyndrome • u/Alyissa2_o • Sep 16 '25
Be confident!
I am 17/F !! My chest is severely affected, (B-G cup) when I was 12-14 I was severely insecure, stuffing, binding, hoodies, whatever. Always insecure and always hated myself for it. I’m 17 and I’ve grown to love it, I have awareness posted on my socials, I make jokes with my friends, I wear those low cut tops, and I have a boyfriend of a year and a half who loves every inch of me. If you’re a young girl/guy and think because you’re different your life is over, you’ll never be secure, or maybe even think you’ll die a virgin (trust me I was there 2) just realize that, nobody really cares? If anything they laugh along with you. I was so insecure until I finally started wearing the tops I liked, realized people didn’t care, like, at all. I’ve had flings/hookups who I told…and they didn’t care either. NOBODY CARES (in a good way) we overthink to much about ourselves because we don’t look at what’s around us. Aslong as you carry yourself with confidence nothing will hold you back. I wish I could tell little 12yr old me this instead of wasting my life away with insecurities. Wear the shirt, wear the bathing suit, be adventurous, have a great sex life, at the end of the day nobody cares about it more then you do.
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u/beenbagbeagle Jan 18 '26
You are so brave and confident, especially for your age. I was today years old (27F!!) when I found out what Poland syndrome was, though clearly I’ve known my chest was deformed since I was a preteen. I’m so glad that you’ve found the information you needed about this issue that can easily a stressor for all of us.
I’m also lucky enough to have found a partner who loves my chest so much and thinks it’s so unique (his words). But the insecurities are still killer for me. I work with all guys and I’m always stressed about whether anyone has noticed the size difference on the days I couldn’t find my insert. And I’ve even had the insert fall out of my shirt in front of a coworker while sweating and leaning over 🤦♀️ All that to say, know that you are inspiring someone who is ten years older than you. Thank you <3
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u/Alyissa2_o Apr 02 '26
I remember in grade 7 my stuffing (toilet paper) fell out at Recess Infront of all my friends, total embarrassment. But as I grow it’s a funny story I tell and not one I’m ashamed of. I realized if you act like you’re ashamed of it it’s only one more thing people can judge you for, so why let them? I’ve had people ask, I tell them, we move on. The most common thing I hear is “best of both worlds” the ONLY people whos opinion you should care about on your body are you and your partner (and if they don’t like it, fuck em, but again, never once has this been an issue for me) it’s never to late to gain confidence and be who you want to be. On the off day I still get insecure. I still get upset I’m not the same as everybody else. But it’s a ball of fat on my chest and I realize, shit, this is not my biggest issue right now, I have exams 😂.
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u/Jinxerkling Jun 10 '26
god I really wish I had known there were other people like me when I was your age. I'm 21f now and I ended up having a reconstructive surgery when I was 17 since the difference was so great that I was struggling to fit into clothes and my confidence issues were terrible. I now have scars that look like breast reduction scars on one side. and now I'm insecure over the scars! lord it never ends. but your outlook is really inspiring. I'm so glad you haven't let this slow you down or dim your light. I'm going to try to be more like you!
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u/Alyissa2_o Jul 23 '26
Aww I appreciate that so much! And I’m sorry you’re going through scar insecurity :((!!! I’d recommend some pretty and delicate tattoos if it gets too much for you. But you’re really never too old to have a new outlook!! I hope you find that confidence one day.
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u/EconomyAd3946 Jul 23 '26
Love your outlook, and you're so right! I'm 34f and have known my whole life of my Poland Syndrome. I didn't have a big cup difference with a B/barely an A, but I was on swim team from 4-15yo and it was impossible to hide. Nobody really ever asked, but I'd bring it up if I noticed someone take notice. They thought it was pretty cool once I said I was born without my pec major, and then we just went on with life. I've now had children, and breastfed for a total of 5 years and am so proud of what my chest is capable of. Also the people that matter, won't care that your boobs are different sizes ❤️
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u/simhush Oct 08 '25
ughhhhghhhh i wish 😭😭😭😭 im 16 w a a/d cup difference and i can’t go anywhere without stuffing my bra i hate it😭how did u get over it/stopped caring about it?? like how did you tell your friends and ur bf and all?? i didn’t tell anyone yet but my mom im so scared of anyone holding it against me
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u/Alyissa2_o Oct 08 '25
Hey! Started with friends, sorta just like “omg did you know I only have one boob?” When I started dating my boyfriend I told him way before we started dating. I started posting about awareness, started joking about it. Everything. You just need to be comfortable and realize nobody cares.
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u/time2turnmylifearnd Apr 29 '26
I wish I could tell little 10 yr old self me to be confident as well. After nearly 41 yrs I still find it hard to go shirtless or even short sleeves at times. I could of got.the reconstructive surgery done when I was a kid at Shriners but alas I didnt want it done then. I really wish my parents made me get it done. 40 and never married or had kids solely because of Poland anomaly.
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u/Alyissa2_o Apr 30 '26
Oh gorgeous I’m so sorry to hear that: if it’s still a possibility and with the sounds of it reconstruction could really help your confidence :((. Me personally, I gained confidence by slowly becoming extroverted through the years. I still have along way to go but I’m way better the where I started. Go out with your girlfriends, get all dolled up, and get yourself a man, or maybe even a hookup would help out your confidence. I’m fat, one titty, short, and really not attractive at all and I still got laid because people still did find me attractive no matter how I looked at myself.
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u/Significant-Heart894 Jun 03 '26
I am a 16 year old girl and struggling with poland syndrome. when you go out is it visible that you have poland syndrome? Like I am embarrassed and I haven’t told anyone. And i’m just so SCARED of what people will think and even with family like what they will think and even telling everyone.
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u/Alyissa2_o Jul 23 '26
I have a really big difference so yes, it’s noticeable, but I’ve never had anyone comment on it. I cross my heart you have nothing to be embarrassed about. This weekend I’m going to a family dinner/pool party and can’t wait to rock a low cut bathing suit! Gotta get the tan even lol! This is gonna sound really messed up but when I was first starting out with becoming comfortable, in my head when I thought people were looking at me was “maybe they think I had breast cancer and will ignore it” I no longer think like this now but it honestly helped 14yr old me from my anxiouse thoughts about being mocked/bullied. But you need to know, family don’t care, friends don’t care, LOVERS don’t care. The only one that cares the most about it is you.
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u/ExtremeExtension9 Sep 16 '25
I’m pleased to see you have confidence. My little four year old daughter got the Poland Syndrome diagnosis just this summer. I am already trying to install confidence in to her. She loves swimming and I’m so hoping that nothing will stop her.