The most common motivation for breast reduction surgery in the United Kingdon is to alleviate back and shoulder problems, neck pain and a host of other health and emotional problems caused by overlarge or disproportionate breasts.
A difficulty in breathing and in sleeping comfortably, poor posture, and chronic rashes due to overlapping or drooping breasts are other uncomfortable disorders that can be minimized or eliminated with boob reduction procedures. Many women also suffer emotionally from poor self image and lack of confidence.
Women who have undergone drastic weight loss may also need boob reduction surgery to bring their breasts into harmony with their new body contours, and to correct overextended and drooping breasts.
Another reason for breast reduction surgery is to correct inborn asymmetry between the two breasts, or in conjunction with reconstructive breast surgery following mastectomy on one side. Reducing the remaining breast in order to achieve a balance between the two is often necessary, especially if the patient is overweight.
Men also frequently seek breast reduction to correct gynecomastia, or enlarged breasts. This is a condition affecting a large number of men that is generally due to an excess of glandular tissue or as a symptom of various other medical conditions.
For whatever reason, boob reduction procedures are now among the top six reconstructive operations performed, with over 100,000 breast reduction procedures performed in the U.S. in 2004, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. According to their statistics most women now seeking breast reductions are young and in otherwise good health.
In cases where the reason is to correct a significant disability or disorder, the reduction surgery may be covered entirely or in part by the patient's insurance carrier. This is an issue that should be discussed at the outset with your surgeon, as specific preoperative documentation may be required