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By the time Renee Smith left high school, she was triple D cup and struggling with pain caused by her large breasts.

She had to deal with constant, debilitating back ache and tried everything, from hiring a personal trainer to a chiropractor, so they would shrink.

The events coordinator even lost eight inches off her waist, but her chest continued to grow.

Now 24, Renee has spoken out about her decision to get a breast reduction after the size of her mammary glands left her struggling to breathe.

Renee, who is from Michigan, said that in the Autumn of 2021, the situation became so severe that she had to go to A&E.

It was then, she says, that doctors discovered she had a cyst on her spine.

She said: “I had an extensive list of health issues that my breasts caused me.

“I was suffering from a lot of lower back pain, achey shoulders and neck, which progressed into sharp shooting pains, as well as divots in my shoulders from bra straps.

“My MRI showed a cyst on my lower spine pushing up against my nerves.

“I started talking about it with my personal trainer and my chiropractor and they both kind of came to the conclusion that maybe my back pain was coming from the weight of my breasts.”

Renee was frustrated that she had been putting a lot of work in at the gym, only for her breasts to continue to grow.

Then in March 2021, she decided to take matters to a surgeon, and scheduled a consultation for a breast reduction.

But the demand for the surgery meant she would have to wait months for it.

Finally, in December 2021, she was able to have the procedure and could pay just $998 as the rest was covered by her insurance providers.

She is now a D cup and says she had the “instant feeling she could breathe easier and feels like a new person”.

Renee said: “For some women, working out and living a healthy lifestyle does decrease your breast size.

“For me, none of that mattered. I had grown three cup sizes within close to two years.”

During the op surgeons removed 660 cubic centimeters (cc) out of one of Renee’s breasts and 760cc out of the other, which equates to over 3 pounds.

She said: “Almost all of the tissue that was removed during my reduction was in fact, glandular.”

Following the procedure, Renee is getting used to her body and has donated and sold hundreds of her old tops and dresses.

Prior to surgery she struggled to find clothes that would fit comfortably.

Her reduction also included a lift and Renee says her breasts now feel perkier than ever.

She said: “My breasts were taking over my whole upper body. All of the room in my tops were just filled with boobs.

“They are perkier than ever! I feel like I finally have the body I deserve to have.”

Renee has shared her journey on TikTok as she wanted to reach a wide audience to document her experience.

“I just want to break down the stigma, stop the taboo subject, and be open about such a necessary and life-changing procedure for many women (and men, too!).

“I want people to know that they have someone who supports and loves them if they are interested in pursuing the surgery,” she said.

This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.