Who Would Benefit from Breast Reduction?
Women who suffer from the following symptoms are good candidates for undergoing Breast Reduction Surgery:
Chronic Neck, Back, and Shoulder Pain
A woman with size F cup breasts is carrying approximately six pounds more than a woman with a D cup of extra weight. This additional weight is sustained by the neck, upper back and shoulders. Imagine constantly carrying a two-liter Coke bottle by a strap around your neck. You would definitely develop neck, shoulder, and upper back pain within a short time. This makes Mammary Hypertrophy a physical disability; one that is a severe health problem and yet is being increasingly disregarded by the health insurance companies.
Women who suffer from inherently painful backs and necks — such as those with cervical disc herniation — are at even greater risk. Very often, these women find relief only through strong narcotics and muscles relaxants. This is a painful addiction problem, and causes a feeling of hopelessness. I have personally treated many patients like this who were able to cease the use of all narcotics and medications for their chronic back pain following Breast Reduction surgery.
"Ever since I was 12, I have been tormented by my breasts. Women who envied me didn't know the reality – constant back aches, not being able to exercise or play sports, embarrassment because the first thing people always noticed about me were my E cup breasts. Then, there were people who were cruel. Intentionally or not, their descriptions of my breasts as "jugs," "melons," and "udders" were cruel and had a horrible psychologically impact on me. There hasn't been a day since I had the surgery that I've regretted having smaller breasts. I am free now to live my life."
— Nancy, age 34 |
Disproportionate Breasts
Some women develop breasts that are disproportionate to their overall size. For example a petite woman with triple D cup breasts will be very "top heavy," and would have an extremely difficult time finding clothes that properly fit her.
Inability to Exercise
Many women with very large breasts or Mammary Hypertrophy have difficulty engaging in any kind of exercise routine. The mere weight of their breasts limits their ability to jog, climb, bend, or jump. Therefore, they seek Breast Reduction surgery so that they can lead a healthier lifestyle, while enjoying sports and other activities along with their peers and their loved ones.
Skin Rashes rand Chronic Skin Infection Beneath the Breasts
"I had very large breasts by the time I was 12. When I went to play at a friend's house, her father treated me differently from the other girls. His attention was creepy, and affected the way that I felt about male attention for many years. Until I had my breasts reduced, I never felt comfortable with my body."
— Nancy, age 31 |
Large and pendulous breasts cause excessive sweating in the folds beneath them. This results in constant skin irritation (chronic dermatitis) and even fungal and bacterial skin infections in the Inframammary fold. The wires in most support bras further irritate this area, resulting in long-term disintegration of the skin and agonizing pain. Breast Reduction can easily eliminate this disabling and tormenting medical condition.
Emotional Trauma
Breast Reduction is a life-changing treatment for those women who have suffered from the extreme self-consciousness that result from having extremely large breasts. Many are unhappy that the first thing people notice about them is their breast size. It becomes a problem that overshadows all other areas of their life – work, friendship and romance. Some are simply tired of trying constantly to think of new ways to disguise their large breasts – "reducer" bras, large and baggy tops, and even taping their breasts for a flatter appearance. For these women a Breast Reduction is a procedure that allows them to have a life with quality, rather than chronic suffering.
Painful Shoulder Grooves
Women with very large breasts must wear full support bras with tight straps at all times, even to sleep. This causes them to suffer perpetually from painful and uncomfortable indentations over their shoulders where the straps are situated.
Breast Ptosis and Sagging
Often women with large breasts have a pendulous breast shape, with nipples and areolas (the colored area around the nipple) that point downward. Their heavy breasts sag to a point that they must always wear a bra and cannot wear revealing clothes. These women not only would like to have smaller and more proportionate breasts, yet would like to have them lifted so that at times they can choose to be "braless."
Breast Asymmetry
Breast asymmetry, or having uneven breasts, is very common among those with Macromastia; especially in women who develop this condition as a result of pregnancy. This makes finding bras and clothes difficult. They always feel "lop-sided." A breast reduction can correct breast asymmetry while making the size more proportionate.
Insomnia and Other Sleep Difficulties
Many women with excessively large breasts report difficulty with breathing during sleep and the inability to fall asleep (insomnia). They often resort to sleeping upright while wearing their bras to bed. Reduction Mammoplasty enables them to have a good night's rest.
Who Should Not Consider Breast Reduction?
Women who do not have disproportionately large breasts – a "D" cup or larger – or who do not suffer from the above noted symptoms of large breasts are not good candidates for Breast Reduction. You shouldn't undergo a breast reduction if you don't have large breasts and just want to have your breasts lifted. Instead you should undergo Mastopexy, or a Breast Lift. Also, if you are planning another pregnancy, you should postpone Breast Reduction surgery. Your ability to breast feed can be reduced by this surgery. In addition, women who are in the process of losing weight should delay their reduction mammoplasty until their weight has stabilized.
Is Macromastia or Overly Large Breasts Hereditary?
While this is often the case, it is not always true. For example, some women who had a relatively small breast size before pregnancy experience a dramatic and uncomfortable increase in their breast size following childbirth.
"I was a 32 A before I became pregnant. But after having three children, my breasts increased to a 34 DDD. I became extremely uncomfortable and self-conscious, especially since the rest of my body was still quite slender."
— Cynthia age 40 |
At your consultation Dr. Younai will examine you for signs of Mammary Hypertrophy, and will explain to you, your treatment options for Breast Reduction, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of Reduction Mammoplasty available in our photo gallery.
Dr. Younai is a board certified plastic surgeon who receives patients at the California Center for Plastic Surgery from the Northern as well as the Southern California region. Some of these cities include Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Pasadena, Glendale, Valencia, Palmdale, Fresno, and Oxnard.
