Research has shown that women with extremely large breasts are at risk of suffering from back pain. Anyone who has been afflicted with back pain knows how painful and debilitation this condition can be. For thousands of women who suffer from back pain, breast reduction surgery has become a popular choice to helping them alleviate and even eliminate not only back pain, but also neck pain, shoulder pain, breathing problems, and migraines.

For women who suffer from back pain due to extremely large breasts, breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty, is a safe and minimally invasive surgery that will help women get rid of debilitating pain caused by heavy and saggy breasts, and allow them to return to a more active lifestyle. Small incisions that run from the areolas down to the breast crease are made, and through these incisions, glandular tissue, fat tissue, and skin from the breasts are removed. The result is a reduced size and weight of the breasts. There will be a bit of scarring and bruising but over time they will fade. After the surgery, patients will normally return to work in a little over a week and engage in normal activities after about five to six weeks. It is women who mostly have this procedure, but men have also taken advantage of breast reduction.

The benefits of reducing the size of extremely large breasts include: reduction or elimination of skin rash under the breast, improved posture, and a reduction or elimination of neck, back, and shoulder pain. As well, one will become more active and have an improved self image. Clothing will also fit better and one can engage in more daily activities which were once limited when suffering from severe back pain. Women who have breast reduction surgery usually report that they are extremely satisfied with the outcome. As well as alleviating the physical pain and discomfort, the effects make the breasts feel lighter, firmer, and they are better proportioned to the rest of the body.

Several days after the surgery, many women have reported a bit of soreness in the breasts but after about a week, any soreness or pain will usually go away. During recovery, the incisions that were made are covered in gauze and wrapped in a bandage until they heal. As well, a surgical support bra is worn for protection and comfort. In about one to two weeks, the stitches will be removed. If there is a concern about the accumulation of fluid during recovery, the surgeon may insert a draining tube to help with blood and fluid drainage. During recovery, pain relieving medication will be taken, and antibiotics in the event an infection develops. Any bruising or swelling will go away after a few weeks.

Breast reduction surgery has become an effective method of reducing back pain caused by extremely large breasts as well as improving one’s physical appearance. The surgery has improved the quality of life for thousands of women across the country. If you think the size of your breasts is causing your back pain, you should consider consulting with your physician to learn about the benefits of breast reduction.

Not all breast enhancements are synonymous with breast implants. Some women actually benefit from a breast reduction procedure. Perhaps you are one such woman, who has always wished for a smaller chest. The following are some frequently asked questions that might help you decide if a reduction surgery is right for you.

Why Would I Want Breast Reduction Surgery?

Women with overly large chests can face several physical and emotional problems. First of all, if you have over-sized breasts, you may suffer from back pain related to having so much weight in the front. That puts extra pressure and strain on the back muscles.

The surgery can significantly reduce this problem. Another potential problem is dissatisfaction with your appearance. Overly large boobs can produce a very disproportionate figure and can actually overpower your figure, making you seem heavier than you really are.

Again, a reduction surgery can restore a nice hourglass shape to your body, resulting in a more positive self-image for you and potentially leading to more self-confidence in social situations.

What is the Procedure?

The traditional method is for the patient to be put under general anesthesia, after which the surgeon makes an incision along the crease under the breast and around the areola and nipple. The breast skin is pulled back and excess fat is removed. Then the skin is pulled down and the desired amount of extra skin is cut off.

The areola is repositioned for a natural look and the skin is then sewn back in place under the breast, leaving the scars virtually undetectable. When liposuction is all that is needed, the tumescent method allows surgeons to insert a tiny tube into each breast, break up the fat and vacuum it out.

The scarring with the method is obviously minimal. The length of the breast reduction surgery will depend on the method, but can last anywhere from two to six hours.

What are the Risks?

As with any surgery, there is always the risk of infection at the incision site which can cause pain and lead to more serious problems. By following your surgeon’s directions, however, you should be able to seriously limit the risk of infection. There is also the risk of complications while under general anesthesia.

A small percentage of people will react very poorly to anesthesia. While you do need to be fully aware of the risk, you should also know that breast reduction surgery is considered fairly safe and most people come through the operation just fine.

How is the Recovery?

The main complaints after the surgery are swelling, bruising, and pain around the breasts. These are natural responses of the body to trauma and are signs of healing. The swelling make take many weeks to fully subside, the pain can be managed with medications prescribed by your doctor.

You will probably be advised to stay home from work for one to two weeks, during which time you should get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous physical movement. You will also need to wear a surgical bra for several weeks to support the healing and reshaping of the breasts.

How Long Do the Results Last?

The results are permanent! At least in terms of removing extra skin and tissue, but there is the chance that your boobs could grow larger if you gain a lot of weight some time after the breast reduction surgery. The good news is that even if they grow more, they will probably never get as big proportionally as they were before.

The benefits of a breast reduction surgery are very satisfying and the procedure is really quite safe. All other questions can be answered by your plastic surgeon after he or she has helped you determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.