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Bigger Bosoms Are Not Always Better – A Look at Breast Reduction Surgery

Women around the globe are often quite eager to undergo breast augmentation, but why would they want to reduce the size of their bosom? There are several reasons for breast reduction surgery.

Factors in the Decision to Reduce Breast Size

First of all, very large breasts can make a woman look disproportionately top heavy, especially if she is shorter in stature. She may even appear overweight. A proportionate figure contributes to overall beauty, and breast reduction can help achieve a well-balanced look.
Secondly, the weight of oversized breasts can strain the back, shoulder and neck muscles, causing pain and even permanent damage. The health risks can be very real and long lasting.

Another decision, although less pressing, is that clothes are simply hard to find. Women with large breasts may feel self-conscious, especially when clothes are ill-fitting. In social and professional situations a large-chested woman's physical awkwardness may result in her not being taken seriously. Breast reduction can reduce not only the breast, but also physical and emotional pain.

What Will Happen?

Sometimes breast reduction can be done with a simple liposuction procedure. The surgeon uses a tube and vacuum device to break down and extract fat from the breast. This may be effective when the enlargement is not too great.

However, more often than not, the patient needs a complete breast reduction surgery in which skin, fat and glandular tissues are removed. The incision is cut around the areola, then upward into a small circle. This circle is where the areola will be repositioned. The surgeon then takes the incision down along the breast crease, peels the skin back and excises the extra fat and tissue. He or she raises the areola to its new position and sews up the cut. Sometimes he or she will also perform a breast lift, cutting away extra skin and pulling the remaining skin taut and firm, before he closes up.

The bandages will stay on for two or three days. After that, the doctor may suggest a surgical bra to hold the breasts in place until they heal. The stitches come out after about two weeks. Strenuous activity, especially lifting, must be curbed.

Men do it Too?

Men may also need breast reduction. More men than you would think contract gynecomastia, enlargement of the breast. Most are too embarrassed to talk about it. Gynecomastia may be caused by certain medications, recreational drugs or a medical condition. A man of normal weight, whose skin is still fairly elastic, is the best candidate for breast reduction. Obese men, or those still taking the drugs that cause the problem, should probably not have the surgery.

Almost New You

The physical results of breast reduction are almost immediate – less back and shoulder pain, new dress size. The social and emotional results may take longer, and may not be what you expect. There are no cure-alls. You will still have to work at your social life. Post-surgical depression is not uncommon, but it does pass. Overall, you will be glad that you had breast reduction.