Getting Relief Through Breast Reduction Surgery

Women who seek breast reduction surgery often do so due to pain or discomfort caused by their large and heavy breasts. Breast reduction is seldom performed for cosmetic reasons.

Some of the problems caused by heavy or large breasts may include:

back pain
neck pain
grooves in the shoulders from bra straps and shoulder pain
skin irritation, rashes and infections below the breasts
skeletal deformities
excessive sweating
breathing problems
problems finding properly fitting clothing
unwanted attention, staring and comments
depression and low self-esteem.

Breast reduction surgery is most often performed on women who suffer from back pain and neck pain from their large, heavy breasts.

The Breast Reduction Procedure

Breast reduction surgery is done under a general anesthetic. The breast reduction is performed by surgically removing some of the excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breast. The breasts are then reconstructed to form smaller breasts, and the nipples are repositioned. Breast surgery may also even out the size of breasts if one breast was much larger than the other. Some of the short-term side effects of the procedure include:

feeling ill from the general anesthetic
some pain and discomfort for a few days
bleeding
infection
visible wounds
breasts may feel tender and lumpy for weeks or months
temporary loss of sensation in the nipple and part of the breast.

Most of the symptoms listed above will subside following breast surgery, but the procedure almost always leaves some visible, permanent scarring.

Long-Term Risks of Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery also comes with some long-term health and lifestyle risks. Particularly women who wish to breastfeed a baby should take extra care in making a decision to have breast reduction surgery. Some of the risks to consider when making a decision include:

decreased ability to breastfeed or produce milk
decreased ability to detect breast lumps
visible, permanent scarring
loss of sensation
poor shape, size, or position of breasts
unevenly positioned nipples.

It is important to weigh these health risks, as well as the benefits, with your physician before making a decision to have breast reduction surgery. In most cases, the health benefits outweigh the risks of breast reconstruction surgery, but each individual has different health needs that should be evaluated by a doctor prior to breast reduction surgery.

Resources

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2004). Reduction Mammaplasty: Breast reduction.

BUPA. (2004, February). Breast reduction. BUPA Handout.