Medically reviewed by Dr. Omar Tillo MD, MS, EBOPRAS, FRCS (Plast) Breast reduction addresses aesthetic as well as functional concerns caused by oversized breasts. This article will highlight tell-tale signs that you may need a breast reduction and how the procedure can improve your quality of life.
1. Upper Back, Neck, and Shoulder Pain
Heavy breasts can cause discomfort in the upper back, neck, and shoulders due to tension in the trapezius muscle. These areas rely on the spine to keep them aligned, but the heavy weight on the chest places strain on the spine and, accordingly, on the neck and shoulders. In most cases, if this pain is not solved by painkillers, a breast reduction may be necessary.
2. Difficulty Exercising
Some patients seek out a breast reduction due to their breasts becoming an obstacle during exercise. As breasts have little connective tissue, they take on a large amount of impact when exercising, which can be painful. An ideal candidate for breast reduction may be used to opting for low-impact exercises such as yoga or may avoid exercise entirely due to fear or embarrassment.
3. Dissatisfaction in Size
A lot of people with a more prominent chest may not feel comfortable in certain clothing due to the size of their breasts. If you are someone who feels dissatisfied by their breast size, often feeling as though they have to dress modestly or can’t wear certain items, a breast reduction may make you feel a lot more confident and satisfied in your body.
4. Difficulty Finding Bras
High-street stores and popular brands do not always stock, or even manufacture, bras in larger cup sizes. Typically, mainstream labels cater only up to size 44DD, which is not suitable for all customers. Furthermore, larger bras do not often come in all available styles due to the use of more material. Therefore customers may have to compromise on style because of their breast size.
5. Rashes Beneath Breasts
Rashes beneath the breasts can be caused by intertrigo, which is an inflammation of the skin where it folds. Excess breast tissue results in trapped moisture and a lack of air circulation, which in turn often causes itching and a burning sensation beneath the breasts. These rashes may be recurrent and increasingly troublesome.
6. Uncomfortable Sleeping
Large breasts can often limit the number of positions one can sleep in comfortably. For example, sleeping on the stomach puts too much pressure on the breast tissue, whilst sleeping on the side can cause friction between the breasts, also creating rashes and wrinkles on the chest over time. More so, some women may resort to wearing a bra when sleeping to increase comfort, which is an added inconvenience.
7. Nipples or Areolas Point Downward
The heaviness of disproportionately large breasts can make the nipples and areolas sag and point downward. Some people may believe a breast lift is the most appropriate cosmetic surgery for this. However, in the case of large breasts, a breast reduction may also be needed to rectify the issue.
8. Poor Posture
Poor posture is also symptomatic of large breasts. Heaviness in the body’s centre of gravity, which is the chest, can cause spinal discomfort and explains why those with larger breasts may hunch forward. Some women also develop a habit of hunching to hide their breasts due to embarrassment, which can exacerbate the problem. Straightening the back can be strenuous, resulting in disfiguration.
Benefits of Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery is a diverse and often life-altering cosmetic procedure. It is proven to alleviate the aesthetic, physical, and functional symptoms of overly large breasts mentioned above. After your recovery, you can reap the benefits of breast reduction surgery, such as increased mobility, dissipated bodily pain, corrected posture, and ease in simple activities such as sleeping, exercising, and finding the right clothes.
This cosmetic surgery also pairs well with procedures like breast augmentation (known as the ‘additional subtraction’ technique, this combination is ideal for patients with large and sagging breasts and less volume in the upper poles) and breast lift, which means it can be a step towards improving your upper body proportions and increasing self-confidence.
Schedule a Consultation with CREO Clinic Today
Dr. Omar Tillo is a specialist in reconstruction surgery and has extensive experience in conducting breast reduction surgery using a variety of different techniques.
His expertise means that you will have full transparency and guidance throughout the breast reduction process, and his clinical knowledge will give you the best chances for a speedy recovery and positive results. Book a consultation with CREO Clinic today to start your journey.