The Benefits of a Breast Reduction
It’s well known that breast augmentation is one of the most popular–and most well known–plastic surgery procedures annually. But what’s less well known is that breast reduction surgery is always right behind it. Breast reduction might not crack the top five every year, but nearly 200,000 patients every year will undergo a procedure designed to mitigate excess tissue in the breasts.
In large part, that’s because the benefits of a breast reduction procedure are so pronounced. Those benefits range from aesthetic to physiological, and are generally widely appreciated by breast reduction patients.
It’s not unusual for the benefits of a plastic surgery procedure to drive the popularity of that procedure (in fact, that’s pretty typical of just about anything). But it’s worth taking some time to really dig into those benefits because they are, in large part, what makes breast reduction relatively unique among plastic surgery procedures.
What is a Breast Reduction?
A breast reduction procedure is designed, simply, to eliminate excess tissue from the breasts. As the name implies, this means reducing the overall size and volume of the breasts. Excess tissue can develop for any number of reasons:
- Genetics can simply cause one to develop overly large breasts, even from a younger age.
- Diet and exercise don’t have a huge effect on breast size, but they can make a slight difference one way or the other.
- Pregnancy and nursing can both influence the overall size of the breasts in a permanent way.
- Gravity combined with the normal and natural aging process can also increase the size and volume of the breasts over time.
Whatever the reason for overly large breasts, many patients want breasts that are more in line with their proportions. This is accomplished by making a small incision in each breast and removing excess tissue. In some cases, a breast lift is performed concurrently in order to give the patient the best possible results.
What are the Benefits of Breast Reduction?
There are multiple benefits to breast reduction procedures–and those benefits come in physiological, emotional, and aesthetic forms. Those benefits include but are not limited to the following:
- Reduced chronic neck pain: Breasts that are too large for your frame can, in effect, tug and pull on your neck and back muscles. This strain can cause chronic pain issues. Breast reduction patients have noted that they often feel relief from chronic neck pain once their reduction procedure has been completed.
- Reduced chronic back pain: Just as overly large breasts can put a strain on your neck, they can also put a significant strain on your back. Breast reduction surgery can often reduce this strain and, as a result, mitigate the chronic back pain associated with that strain.
- A more youthful profile: Overly large breasts are often associated with the aging process. Which means that sagging, larger breasts are often seen as being a sign of age. By reducing the size and volume of the breasts, you are also giving yourself a more youthful looking profile.
- More proportional look: Breast reduction procedures also work to ensure that your final look is proportional–that the final size of your breasts is in proportion to your hips, waist, and the rest of your body.
- Increased confidence and self esteem: As with other plastic surgery procedures, patients often articulate a feeling of confidence and self esteem once their procedure and recovery have been completed. Breast reduction is no different. Patients feel more confident in themselves and happy with their appearance.
Often Coupled with a Breast Lift
A breast reduction is designed to mitigate volume, but in some cases patients would like their breasts to take on a perkier orientation as well. In those cases, breast lift procedures are employed to augment the results of a breast reduction. Patients will often undergo both procedures concurrently in order to achieve the best possible results. In those cases, we might expect the breasts to look smaller, perkier, and more youthful.
Finding the Right Procedure For You
Breast reduction procedures are popular in large part because they work and patients are happy with the results. If you want to know more about what a breast reduction can do for you, or you have questions about how this procedure might change your appearance, contact our offices to schedule a confidential consultation with Dr. Charles Polsen.
As a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Polsen has a significant amount of experience and expertise, and he’s always happy to answer questions from patients. There are a significant number of benefits of a breast reduction procedure. If you think those benefits might apply to you, contact us today to get the process started.
