Five Ways Breast Reduction Surgery Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Posted December 25, 2023 in Breast Reduction Surgery

Large breasts are often considered to be a body ideal to strive for–just ask the nearly 300,000 women who underwent breast augmentation procedures in 2022. However, one size doesn’t always fit all; there is also a population of women who have naturally large breasts and are unhappy with them.

If you’re one of the women in the latter group, it might be time to consider a breast reduction. Breast reduction is not just for women who believe their breasts to be overly large; in fact, women seek this procedure for many reasons. Below, we address some of the motivations behind why women choose breast reduction surgery.

How Does Breast Reduction Surgery Work?

Breast reduction surgery aims to reduce the size of your breasts by removing excess fat, skin, and tissue. The surgery also restores a more attractive shape as the remaining tissue is lifted and sculpted, leaving you with more attractively shaped, smaller breasts.

During the surgery, incisions are made in the crease under your breasts and around your areolas. Excess breast tissue is removed, and your nipples are repositioned in a higher, more aesthetically pleasing position. In some cases, liposuction breast reduction can be performed. However, while it is less invasive, it is also less common and is not always the best alternative to breast reduction surgery.

In all, breast reduction surgery offers balanced, natural-looking results that enhance your comfort and boost your confidence. Read on for four reasons women seek breast reduction surgery.

Breasts That Cause Pain

You may have seen or heard that size DD breasts weigh as much as 23 pounds each. Even though it may feel like you have close to fifty pounds of extra weight on your chest, it’s not true. The reality is that DD-size breasts weigh closer to two and a half pounds each, and even that estimate varies from person to person because everyone’s breasts are made up of different ratios of fat to breast tissue.

But it doesn’t ultimately matter how much extra weight large breasts add to your frame; what matters is if they’re causing you pain. That includes back and neck pain from poor posture, shoulder pain or indentations from bra straps, and even pain as a result of chronic rashes. If you’re suffering from any of the conditions mentioned above, a breast reduction can change your life for the better by reducing or eliminating those issues.

Breasts That Are Hard to Dress

While large natural breasts are finally getting a little more love via more inclusive sizes, it can still be hard to find clothes that accentuate vs. hide. Let’s face it: some clothing items just don’t check the boxes of “fits nicely” and “looks pretty.” Bras fall into this category because attractive bras that fit correctly can be both challenging to find and extremely pricey. And when did you last wear a button-down shirt without worrying about popping a button? Maybe you finally found a button-up with adequate room in the bust area, but it does not look flattering. It feels like you can’t win. Large breasts can make it frustrating to go shopping and can affect how you think about your appearance.

Breasts That Are Out of Proportion With the Rest of Your Body

You may or may not know, but genetics play a significant role in determining breast size. Other factors also influence how large your breasts become (hormones, weight, age), but there’s a good chance that if someone in your immediate family has large breasts, you will, too. In some cases, your breasts may be out of proportion with your body, leaving you looking top-heavy. If you have overly large breasts that don’t fit with the rest of your physique, understand that it’s often out of your control and can only be remedied with a breast reduction.

Asymmetrical Breasts

When looking at the human body, most people look pretty symmetrical. However, when it comes to breast size, not everyone is perfectly balanced. In fact, over half of women have some degree of breast asymmetry, whether it is readily apparent or not. Genetics and hormones (again) may be the culprit, but several other factors influence breast asymmetry, including:

• Traumatic injury to the chest
• Weight fluctuations
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding
• Uneven rib cage or chest muscle development
• Tubular breasts

A breast reduction can restore balance to your bustline, make it easier to find well-fitting bras and give you confidence in your curves.

Breasts That Hinder Your Lifestyle

If you are an athletic person, large breasts can be a big problem. Not only is it challenging to find a sports bra that fits AND offers the right amount of support, but even the best sports bra doesn’t completely stop bouncing during a run or other impact exercises. Besides the embarrassment of the bounce, it can also cause pain. Additionally, large breasts can hinder your range of motion in weightlifting and other activities. You can only get a chest press bar so far down or reach a certain point in a push-up, and bicep curls are extra tricky. A breast reduction can improve your quality of life by allowing you to freely exercise without worrying about what your boobs are doing.

Learn More About Breast Reduction Surgery in Coral Gables

Breast reduction surgery is not only performed for aesthetic reasons but also because it is an excellent option for relieving the physical and often emotional pain of living with disproportionately large breasts. To learn more about breast reduction surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Careaga or Dr. Durand by calling (305) 574-9262 or filling out the online contact form.