What is breast reduction surgery?
Breast reduction surgery entails the removal of skin and tissue from the breast, followed by reshaping and elevating to create a smaller, more proportionate bust size.
Many women struggle with the decision to have a breast reduction, but afterwards consider it one of the best decisions they ever made for themselves.
Women pursue this surgery for various reasons, but all with the goal of enhancing their overall quality of life:
Improved confidence and self-expression
Many women say that after a breast reduction they are more confident in themselves and more comfortable in their own bodies.
Easier to shop
Women often report that finding clothes that fit them becomes much easier and they can shop at almost any store they want.
Back feels better
Women almost always report that having smaller breasts significantly reduces back pain and gives them newfound energy throughout the day.
Bras don’t hurt
By removing weight from their breasts nearly all women experience a significant reduction in bra strap pain.
Exercise with ease
Women frustrated with the pain and discomfort of having overly large breasts can finally exercise in the way they want.
Skin feels better
For women with very large breasts, skin irritation under the breasts is common; this is significantly reduced after a breast reduction.
Easier to breathe
Women find it easier to breathe with smaller, more proportionate breasts.
Why it’s done
Breast reduction surgery is meant for people who have large breasts that cause the following:
- Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Chronic rash or skin irritation under the breasts
- Nerve pain
- Not being able to take part in some activities
- Poor self-image due to large breasts
- Trouble fitting into bras and clothing
Breast reduction surgery generally isn’t recommended for people who:
- Smoke
- Are very obese
- Don’t want scars on the breasts
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age — sometimes even as a teenager. But breasts that aren’t yet fully grown might need a second surgery later in life.
Reasons to postpone breast reduction surgery include:
- Planning to have children. Breastfeeding might be challenging after breast reduction surgery. However, certain surgical techniques can help keep the ability to breastfeed.
- Planning to lose weight. Losing weight can often result in changes to breast size.
