6 Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery You Need to Know

So many women suffer from chronic back pain. Sadly, few realise that the size of their breasts could be the problem. Breast reduction surgery helps reduce the size of the breasts to ease symptoms caused by overly large breasts that lead to discomfort and pain in the back, neck and shoulders. Larger breasts also interfere with some activities and can lead to rashes and upper-body numbness. Some women also opt for breast reduction surgery, not because they are in pain but because they want smaller breasts.

Understanding Breast Reduction Surgery

Before you undergo breast reduction surgery, it’s important to understand what the procedure entails. 

Some breast reduction surgery complications may include: 

• Visible surgical scars
• Loss of nipple sensitivity 
• Inability to breastfeed in the future

Your plastic surgeon should address all the concerns you may have. Ask as many questions as you can, and make sure you discuss your expectations with them. Breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes 2 to 3 hours. What this means is that you can go home the very same day. It is performed under general anaesthetic. 

The plastic surgeon first makes an incision around the nipples that continues to the breast crease. Sometimes, the surgeon might make another incision in the crease beneath your breast. 

In most breast reduction procedures, the nipple remains intact and attached to the nerve and blood supply during the procedure. However, in cases of really big and heavy breasts, the surgeon may need to perform a nipple graft where they remove the nipple and attach it at a higher point. After making the incision, the surgeon will remove excess fat, skin and glandular tissue. Sometimes, the surgeon may perform liposuction to remove excess fat. Liposuction is usually enough to reduce the size if the breasts aren’t too big. The surgeon will then put stitches deep inside your breast tissue for added support before closing the incision.  

After the surgery, your breasts will be swollen, bruised and tender. Your surgeon will also give you some post-surgical instructions that you should follow. The outcome and recovery period after breast reduction relies on this. Over time, the swelling will go down. The resulting breast reduction scars may take up to 18 months to fade. The results of breast reduction surgery are almost immediate, but full results will show once you’re completely healed. The results are mostly permanent, but pregnancy, ageing, weight fluctuations, gravity and hormonal changes may change the results. 

Who is the Best Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?

You can undergo breast reduction surgery at almost any age. You may want to consider holding off on breast reduction surgery:

• If you don’t have children yet and plan to have them in future. Breastfeeding is sometimes challenging after a breast reduction surgery, so you might want to wait until you’ve had children. The same goes for women who already have children but want more in the future.  
• If you want to lose weight through either diet or exercise. Significant weight loss can affect the results of a breast reduction surgery. 

With that in mind, you are an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery if:

• You are healthy but don’t like the look of your breasts
• You suffer from chronic back pain, shoulder or neck pain due to your large breasts 
• You have chronic skin irritation or rash under your breasts 
• You have restricted movement because your breasts are too large
• There is nerve pain 
• You have difficulties fitting into clothes, bras and swimming costumes 

The surgery is not for you if you:

• Smoke since smoking increases your risk of developing complications during the surgery and when recovering. 
• Have certain medical conditions like heart problems and diabetes 
• Are obese 
• You don’t want any scars on your breasts because breast reduction surgery leaves scars that may fade but not completely over time. 

Breast Reduction Before and After

6 Benefits of Breast Reduction Surgery 

Breast reduction surgery helps ease several issues. Here are six breast reduction benefits. 

1. Alleviates Back Pain

Some women with large and dense breasts have to deal with chronic back pain. This can be very uncomfortable and can even affect your quality of life. Breast reduction surgery helps reduce not only the size but weight of the breasts. This helps improve your quality of life since you don’t have to deal with chronic back, neck or shoulder pain. 

2. Proportion and Balance

Large breasts can sometimes make the body look less proportional. Breast reduction surgery helps create a much more proportionate body. A well-proportioned body can help improve your confidence and self-esteem. 

3. Easier to Engage in Physical Activity

Breast size affects women’s exercise and how they can work out. This is because large breasts can cause discomfort and sometimes pain. All women deserve to enjoy an active life if they want, and that’s where breast reduction surgery benefits many. 

4. Reduces Skin Irritation 

Large breasts can cause skin irritations like heat rash and chafing. Irritation usually occurs due to rubbing and friction around and under the folds. It can be quite uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Breast reduction helps reduce skin irritation by reducing the size of the breasts and lifting them. 

5. Improves Posture 

Large breasts tend to create a pulling effect that may result in rounded shoulders. It can end up affecting your posture in the long run. Breast reduction surgery reduces the size of the breasts. This decreases the weight, which can help to improve your posture. 

6. Improves Hygiene

Large breasts mean increased sweating and friction at the breast creases. This can lead to rashes as well as yeast infections. Reducing the size decreases the amount of friction and sweating, improving your overall hygiene. 

While large breasts can be aesthetically pleasing, they are a health concern to some women. Breast reduction surgery improves your quality of life by eliminating pain and discomfort associated with large breasts. Book a consultation today at the Harley Clinic on Harley Street, London, to start your breast reduction journey.