Interview with Anđela Đurđević
Anđela Đurđević, a young and promising gymnast from Novi Sad, underwent breast reduction surgery at our clinic earlier this spring. Her decision attracted considerable media attention, and the public response was largely positive.
However, far more important than public opinion is one question: how does Anđela feel now, several months after her surgery?
That’s exactly why we sat down with Anđela for an open and honest conversation, which we’re sharing with you in full.
First of all, tell us a little about yourself. What is it like to be a young, up-and-coming sports star?
I think training in any sport is difficult, and achieving results requires a lot of sacrifice, persistence, and determination. This is perhaps especially true for gymnastics, where training conditions in Serbia aren’t particularly favorable.
On the other hand, there are so many wonderful experiences that come with it: friendships, traveling, success, and winning medals.
Despite your impressive sporting achievements, what made you start considering breast reduction surgery?
It was becoming increasingly difficult for me to maintain my balance on the beam and perform high jumps and somersaults on the apparatus. I also felt uncomfortable wearing a leotard during competitions.
I simply knew I could perform better, but my large breasts were holding me back. I was also experiencing increasingly frequent pain in my shoulders, neck, and back.
I started thinking about how much happier and more successful I might be if my breasts were smaller, like those of the other girls.
How and why did you decide to have your breast reduction surgery at Clinic Olymp?
I did a lot of research, but once I came across Clinic Olymp, I didn’t have any doubts about my choice.
Even when I first discovered your clinic online, I immediately liked what I saw. There were so many genuine photos, useful information, and videos of the doctor explaining his surgical procedures.
I could sense a warm, welcoming atmosphere at the clinic, with friendly, smiling nurses. All of this gave me confidence and made me feel comfortable about my decision.
Were you nervous or afraid before your first consultation? How did your consultation with Dr. Matejin go?
I scheduled my first consultation without much hope that I would be able to have surgery anytime soon or that my dream would actually come true.
I was prepared to be disappointed. I thought I was simply going to find out how the procedure was performed, how long recovery would take, and how much this type of surgery would cost.
You can’t trust just anyone with a procedure like this. You need to have complete confidence in the entire medical team.
But when I arrived, I was genuinely surprised in the best possible way.
Everyone was incredibly kind, patient, and willing to help me in every possible way. When I left the consultation, I was overjoyed. I realized that, with the help of these wonderful people, my dream could actually become a reality.
Dr. Matejin isn’t just a professional surgeon. He’s a genuinely kind, compassionate, and caring person.
I’ve experienced many sports injuries and met numerous doctors throughout my athletic career. He was the only one who made me truly feel that he wanted to help me become better at my sport, rather than simply performing a routine procedure.
His sense of humor, stories from his surgical experience, and patient answers to every question made me feel completely safe and comfortable.
He is an exceptionally professional and dedicated surgeon, but at the same time, he’s a warm, down-to-earth person who always has a smile on his face.
Were you worried about how other people would react? How did your friends and family respond to your decision?
My family and friends were genuinely happy for me because they knew what I had been going through.
They understood how much my breasts affected me, how they were holding me back in sports, and how withdrawn and unhappy I had become.
As for other people’s opinions, sports have made me mentally stronger. I’ve learned that whenever I fall, I need to get back up and not worry too much about what others think.
Sometimes people only look at situations superficially. I heard comments such as, “She’s so young, why would she need that?” or “She’s reducing her breasts just for sports without thinking about her health.”
What I want people to understand is that I didn’t undergo surgery solely because of sports. I also did it for my mental well-being.
Now I’m happier and more confident. I no longer hide under oversized sweatshirts.
I don’t experience pain when I run anymore, and my back, shoulders, and neck no longer hurt.
Many people are curious about what actually happens on the day of plastic surgery. What was your experience like, from arriving at the clinic and receiving anesthesia to waking up and going home? How did you feel after waking up?
Preparing for surgery involved an ultrasound, an ECG, blood tests, and an examination by the anesthesiologist, who explained everything.
Dr. Matejin had already explained the entire process to me in detail, so I arrived feeling prepared, and everything went smoothly.
The atmosphere at Clinic Olymp is warm and friendly, from chatting with the nurses and meeting the incredibly kind clinic manager to speaking with the doctor, who is always smiling, joking, and knows exactly how to help someone prepare for surgery without feeling pressured or afraid.
I wasn’t scared at all. I felt as though I was surrounded by friends.
The operation lasted approximately three hours.
When I woke up from anesthesia, I was in a comfortable, tidy room with a huge television in front of me and a nurse who stayed with me throughout the night.
The doctor came to see me, and I got to look at the photos from my surgery. I was absolutely delighted.
I didn’t experience nausea or any significant pain, even though I had two surgical drains, which I carried with me while walking around my room that evening.
How did your recovery go, and how long did it take? How did you cope with having to rest? When were you able to return to everyday activities and eventually to training?
My follow-up appointments were scheduled for the seventh and fourteenth days after surgery.
I didn’t experience any significant pain, and after just two or three days, I was already going for walks. After seven days, I returned to my usual daily activities.
The main requirement was wearing a supportive postoperative bra for one month.
It was very comfortable, and I still often wear it during training.
I returned to stretching exercises and the gym after about a month, while running and light training sessions followed after two months.
What was it like returning to the gymnastics gym? How did your body respond to the exercises and physical challenges?
It still feels quite unusual, and I haven’t completely adjusted yet because everything is so much easier now.
My jumps are much better, I feel so much lighter, and I can finally train comfortably in all my leotards and sports tops.
The quality of my training has improved significantly, and I’m happier both during training and in my personal life.
Over the past few months, I’ve been working on rebuilding my physical fitness after enrolling at university.
I’ve just started returning to the gymnastics apparatus after a break of almost a year, first because of an injury and then because of surgery.
The first apparatus I’m returning to is my favorite, but also the most challenging: the balance beam.
I’m hoping to compete in two major World Cup events in Slovenia and Turkey in September.
I might not be ready to perform my most difficult routine, but what’s important is gradually getting back into competition. 🙂
And finally, how do you feel in your “new” body? 🙂
I feel so much more satisfied, happier, and more beautiful.
I’m ready to pick up where my oversized breasts had held me back.
I’m incredibly happy that I’ve managed to free myself from both the physical and emotional burden.
Watch the video below to get to know Anđela even better and learn more about her breast reduction surgery experience:
