"Modern Family's" Ariel Winter on breast reduction
Actress Ariel Winter wants to be known for her acting talent, not her large chest.
After Internet bullying, back pain and difficulty finding clothes, the 17-year-old "Modern Family" actress decided she'd had enough and went under the knife for breast reduction surgery on June 4 to go from an F-cup to a D-cup.
"I wasn't hesitant at all," she said of the surgery to Glamour. "I wasn't sad. I was really so thrilled about it and the idea of not being burdened with these any longer."
Winter said she isn't the first in her family to get breast reduction; large breasts run in her family, and some of her cousins have also had the surgery.
Winter said it was emotionally difficult for her to have F-cup sized breasts at the age of 15, and on the set of "Modern Family," she found herself wearing baggy sweaters or having her breasts strapped down because her chest made her look older than her character.
While she insists she didn't get the surgery because of online bullying, Winter did say, "On the inside, I wasn't feeling so happy," after reading hundreds of comments on the Internet about her breasts.
Moreover, Winter also said it was extremely stressful for her to shop -- the day she was shopping for a swimsuit was the day she decided to get the surgery.
"I went to a swimsuit store with my cousin a few months ago and couldn't find a bathing suit that fit me," she said. "I really felt bad about myself. I didn't feel happy." She added that it was hard to find appropriate dresses for awards shows, as well.
Winter explained that her large breasts also caused her great physical pain.
"I really couldn't stand up straight for a long period of time," she said. "It started to hurt so bad that I couldn't take the pain. My neck was hurting so bad and I actually had some problems with my spine."
Now, Winter said she feels great. Her sister and boyfriend kept her company while she recovered, but Winter said recovery was very short: "I was up and running within five days. The feeling of not having so much there was such a relief!"
Winter, who is emancipated from her mother, said she did not tell her mom about the surgery, but said she is "surrounded by people who love [her]."
The actress thanked Glamour and reporter Jessica Radloff on Instagram: "Thank you so much @glamourmag and @JRadloff. I feel so blessed that you gave me a chance to share my story. I am extremely humbled. Jessica you are amazing!!!! To my fans, you guys have all been so supportive and I couldn't thank y'all more."
