Many women spend their whole lives wishing they were better endowed. Having a large chest is particularly sought after in the entertainment industry, which makes many young women seek breast enhancements.
However, few people know about the harmful effects of having a very large chest. The very reason breast reductions are usually covered under most health insurance policies is because of the negative impact an overly large chest can have on a woman's life.
One of the most pressing issues has to do with self-esteem, which relates to appearance. Most women assume that if they had larger breasts, they would be more appealing, but they have no idea how much unwanted attention naturally endowed women face. This is especially true when women develop early, as they do not know how to react to the attention from men.
Despite the world's apparent obsession with large bosoms, many clothes, including bras, do not come in larger sizes to accommodate well endowed women.
Another concern is comfort.
Women with large chests typically have back problems just after walking, let alone after running. Some bras are so ill-fitting that they dig into the woman's ribcage or shoulders, leaving indentations and bruises on her skin. Such issues are not only uncomfortable, but can also be dangerous long-term, as they can affect a woman's posture.The surgery to decrease breast size, also known as reduction mammoplasty, typically takes three to five hours, and can be performed in a hospital while the woman is put under general anesthesia. There is usually some pain or discomfort for about a week after the surgery, which is typically followed by bruising for a few weeks.
Breast reduction patients are advised to simply take pain reliever during this time, while making sure the chest is always supported and strenuous activity is avoided for up to a month afterwards.
According to most doctors, some scarring after the surgery is unavoidable.
Luckily, most of it is easily covered by bathing suits and regular clothes. Other risks include loss of nipple sensitivity, possible inability to breastfeed, and asymmetrical breasts.Also, not every insurance policy is guaranteed to cover the costs. Typically it must be proven that the breast reduction is medically necessary, not just for cosmetic reasons. For this reason, doctors usually take photographs during the consultation visit and send them to the insurance company to show that the patient's chest size interferes with her quality of life.
While most of the side effects discussed here are common, they don't necessarily happen to every patient. Reduction surgery might not be a walk in the park, but the majority of women who have gone through with it have been happy with their results.