Our appearance can have a dramatic affect on our confidence levels. Feeling like your body does not reflect who you are inside can damage your self esteem. Though breasts have long been associated with feminine beauty some overly large chested women find their breasts make them feel self conscious. Overly large breasts can pose a variety of problems both psychologically and physically. That is why more and more women who feel their breasts are too large are opting for breast reduction surgery, with the surgery becoming more popular every year.
If you are considering a breast reduction there are several things you should consider first.
- Large breasts can cause physical pain
Carrying a significant amount of weight on your chest can be incredibly uncomfortable. Women with very large breasts often experience chest, back, neck and shoulder pain as well as headaches because of the extra strain on their bodies. This constant discomfort can overflow into other aspects of a woman’s life and can affect their sleeping patterns and their ability to exercise. - Large breasts can cause emotional pain
Overly large breasts can make a woman incredibly self conscious. Large breasts can attract a lot of unwanted attention and many women try to deflect this attention by avoiding certain cuts of shirts and dresses. Unfortunately, this tactic is not always successful and often means women can’t wear all the styles of clothing they would like to. Luckily, most women with overly large breasts who choose to undergo breast reduction surgery are pleased with the results. According to a 2012 study done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 80 percent of women rated the results of their surgery as either “good” or “very good”. - You still might not get the breasts you really want
Every body is different, which means the “perfect” breasts you are envisioning might not be possible. After surgery your breasts will not only be smaller but may also have a different shape and sit differently on your chest. Before you commit to surgery make sure your have a very clear picture from your plastic surgeon regarding what your new breasts will look like. - Consider the recovery time and long term effects
Breast reduction surgery has a typical recovery time of 2 to 6 weeks depending on the individual. Breast reduction surgery can also affect your ability to breastfeed should you decide to have children. If your nipples are completely removed and then reattached you will be unable to breastfeed. However, even if your nipples are not removed during the procedure you may still experience some difficulty breastfeeding, but a study done by McGill University found that a woman’s odds of being able to nurse after the procedure were roughly the same as those of other mothers who had not undergone the procedure.
Before you decide on any form of plastic surgery you should consult with your plastic surgeon. He or she will be able to properly assess if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure you are interested in and will be able to tell you what sort of results you can expect.
Dr. Brian Peterson is a board certified plastic surgeon based in Kelowna, British Columbia. His specialties include facial rejuvenation, body contouring, breast enhancement and non-surgical skin care. Contact Peterson MD at 250.868.9099 to book your consultation.
