Millions of women across the world suffer with back pain and neck ache as a result of having breasts which are too large for their frame.
Having extremely large breasts can cause other problems, such as breathing problems, migraine headaches and of course can prevent women from doing aerobic activity.
Some women, due to never having a properly fitted bra, do not realize that their breasts are causing their problems, whilst some know instinctively that their breasts are causing their problems. So how do you decide if a breast reduction is right for you? And what are the additional considerations before even exploring going for surgery? In this feature, we’ll explore these questions in detail, while readers might also enjoy the Better Health Channel as well as NineMSN’s resident health expert Dr Jeremy Hunt, and his detailed section and FAQs on Breast reduction surgery.
Large breasts cause a clear and recognizable health issue, and they cannot be addressed by losing weight, or physical therapy. Therefore many doctors suggest breast reduction surgery to their patients who are suffering these problems.
The operation itself can be done in many different ways, but all techniques have the same end result. Surgeons aim to remove a pound or more of breast tissue and fat cells, and cut away the excess skin this leaves behind. It is not generally necessary to remove and replace the nipple during these surgeries, and this is best discussed with a surgeon.
Many women who have had breast reduction surgery have been surprised by how quickly they recover, as the only things removed during the surgery are skin and superficial tissue. This leads to most women experiencing a mild discomfort for a few days after surgery, and a lot of women go back to work after a week.
There will be some scarring with the surgery, however it is up to you how much this would put you off. It is worth remembering however, that some people scar more than others, and women with a history of keloids (excessive scar tissue) are advised to consult with their surgeon who will explain how much scarring they would expect.
If you have a family and are thinking of adding to it, or thinking of starting a family, it may be worth thinking about the effects of the breast reductions surgery on your ability to breastfeed. Whilst doctors say that it is possible, as long as your nipple was left intact during the surgery, occasionally some women can find a reduction of milk supply, and some women find that they cannot breastfeed at all.
However, it is entirely up to personal choice and dependent on how much pain your breasts are causing you, you may wish to go ahead with the operation. Many women find that their quality of life improves greatly after a breast reduction, and it enables them to do much more physical activity than they could previously.
Whatever your decision, make sure you discuss with your surgeon the likely size of your reduced breasts and any concerns you might have.