We all come in various shapes and sizes, not just in height but also in other parts of our anatomy. Breasts are a topic of conversation for many cosmetic surgeons, whether it be women who want to go up in size or men who wish to reduce their size. And yet female breast reduction is thought not to be a choice many women make due to the current beauty standards. There are many reasons why one would want or need breast reduction surgery, starting with physical pain.
The breast is the tissue overlying the chest muscles. Women’s breasts, in particular, are made of specialized tissue that produces milk as well as a fatty mass, which adds more weight. This weight can cause years of back, shoulder, and neck pain. A breast reduction surgery removes the excess fat, tissue, and skin from the chest, all of which help ease discomfort. Choosing to have this cosmetic procedure doesn’t have to be just for health benefits, it could be for the reasons that someone would want larger breast all to feel that you look your best.
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age if your breasts are fully developed. If you smoke, are obese, or have certain conditions such as heart problems, this surgery is not recommended. You may even want to postpone surgery if you are planning to give birth or are interested in losing weight. Some risks come with breast reduction surgery such as bruising, scarring, and removal or loss of sensation in the nipples. As always, this is more reason to discuss with your surgeon if you are an ideal candidate for this procedure.
Breast reduction surgery is done under general anesthesia, and the specific technique can vary depending on the size of your breasts. The procedure goes as follows: your surgeon makes an incision around the areola and down each breast; the excess breast tissue, fat, and skin is removed to reduce the size of the breast; as the surgeon reshapes the chest, the nipple and areola get repositioned.
Recovery after surgery means taking off at least a week from your usual activities, such as work. Needing more recovery time varies in every individual situation. You should expect to feel tired and have some breast pain, which is all normal, although there are other side effects. If you are experiencing signs of infection, unusual discharge from the incision site or any of the stitches come out, you must contact your doctor immediately.
Through the possible risks, there is a silver lining. In most cases, insurance covers breast reduction surgery because it’s considered reconstructive. Discuss all your options before deciding on breast reduction surgery with an experienced surgeon.