Women with large breasts may consider breast reduction surgery (or reduction mammoplasty) for several reasons. Some women have disproportionate, heavy breasts even though they are average-sized people. In these cases, their large breasts make it difficult to comfortably engage in normal activities like playing sports or exercising. This condition also makes it hard for them to find clothing that fits properly. In addition, they experience a great deal of pain in the neck and back. Many women feel embarrassed by their large breasts, especially when they are out of proportion to their height and weight. They can feel self-conscious when wearing bathing suits or other types of clothing because of the unwelcome attention they receive.
If you experience the following, it's an indicator that breast reduction surgery may benefit you:
- You have backaches, neckaches or skin irritation due to pressure
- You have difficulty breathing
- Your bra straps leave grooves in your shoulders
- You have numbness in any portion of your breasts or upper chest from the excessive weight
- You're displeased with the appearance or dislike the general size of your breasts
Women with any of these circumstances are not good candidates for breast surgery:
- A history of irregular mammograms, undiagnosed lumps or other types of masses
- Severe obesity
- Diabetes
- Wound healing disorders
- Currently breastfeeding or just recently stopped
- Smokers
- Clotting disorders or a family history of them
- Heart or circulatory disorders
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) classifies breast reduction surgery as a reconstructive, rather than cosmetic, procedure because it’s performed to correct a physical or medical problem. If you’re considering a breast reduction, contact your insurance company. They may cover part or all of the costs if the surgery is performed for medical reasons, like to relieve back pain, skin problems, or other problems. If the surgery is strictly for the sake of appearance, the insurance company will probably refuse to cover it.
If you’re considering breast reduction surgery, please contact us. A full examination by a qualified plastic surgeon can help you determine if breast reduction surgery is an option for you.