Big breasts or Small?

Breast Reduction

Whenever the subject of breasts come about, people think the larger the better, but is it really?

When most women consider breast surgery, they think of breast augmentation. However, bigger is not always better especially for women who have large, heavy breasts that interfere with their daily activities and cause serious back problems.
For women with large heavy breasts, many simple daily activities can become a burden and participating in sport is often impossible.

“Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin, to create more proportionate breasts for each woman's body type as well as to alleviate the medical and emotional stress of large, heavy breasts.”

Why opt for breast reduction?

Large, heavy breasts can have a very disabling effect - causing symptoms such as shoulder, neck and lower back pain, sores caused by excessive skin rubbing, a decrease in physical performance, shoulder bra strap grooving and many more. Not only can big breasts be extremely uncomfortable, but it is usually difficult for overly-endowed women to find bras that fit and their clothing choices are severely restricted.

In addition to these physical symptoms, many women with large breasts report psychological effects such as low self-esteem, embarrassment, anti-social behaviour, and in some cases body dimorphic disorder.

Advantages of breast reduction

Breast reduction is a safe procedure with significant results, which may include the following benefits:

• The breasts will be smaller, aesthetically proportioned and in better balance with regard to the rest of the body;
• A reduction will lift the breasts slimming and elongating body shape;
• Bra and clothing choices are enhanced;
• Indentation marks on a woman's shoulders from bra straps may be eliminated;
• There will be less strain on the back and neck, which will often result in the disappearance of associated back and neck pain;
• Irritation of the skin underneath the breasts should be resolved; and
• The patient will feel more self-confident and comfortable about her body.

Are there possible complications to breast reduction?

Reduction mammoplasty is a safe procedure when performed by a qualified doctor. However, like any surgery, it has some uncertainty and risk. Bear in mind, that complications, such as bleeding, infection and an abnormal reaction to anaesthetics, are rare but still possible.

What about scarring?

The scar left from this surgery will depend on the technique employed, which directly relates to the size of the breast reduction. Smaller breast reductions typically require vertical scar (lollipop scar) or inverted ‘T’ techniques which will only be visible when naked because a bra or bathing suit will cover the scars.

Larger breast reductions will require longer scars in order to remove more skin and breast tissue, and we typically employ a ‘wise keyhole pattern (anchor scar).

Breastfeeding after breast reduction – is it possible?

A breast reduction may limit a women's potential to breastfeed - lactation usually does occur but is likely to be insufficient, requiring supplemental feeding.

However both hormonal and weight fluctuations, occurring during pregnancy, may result in breast size and shape alterations and therefore where a women is imminently considering having children, breast reduction surgery should be deferred until her family is complete in order to optimize long term breast shape maintenance.

 Breast reduction can be very liberating, both physically and emotionally, for women who have had to go through life making accommodations for their large breasts. The procedure can also lead to a better quality of life because many women find it easier and more comfortable to exercise and participate in other physical activities following breast reduction surgery.

Reasons to not have the surgery include: medical contraindications to surgery; psychological factors; wanting to breastfeed; not being prepared to accept the possibility of nipple sensory loss or not wanting scars after surgery.

I encourage women who are suffering physically or emotionally because of overly large breasts to seek the advice of a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience with breast reduction surgery to see if this procedure might be beneficial for them.

Thought some people might want to know.