Back pain, neck pain, skin rashes under breasts, and chronic shoulder pain from bra strap indentations, poor posture, low self esteem and not being able to participate in some activities without discomfort: these are some of the reasons women elect to have "reduction mammaplasty", a surgical procedure which reduces the boob size.
It is a more common problem than one might think. Over 100,000 women elected to reduce the size of their breasts in the year 2006, according the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
While it can be done at any age, it is wise to wait until age twenty, when one is fully physically developed. At times, however, it is appropriate to perform the surgery in teens, especially if they are suffering emotionally from it.
The first thing a woman should do if considering this would be to schedule an appointment with a reputable plastic surgeon for their professional evaluation and advice.
What would this appointment entail? The physician would give a detailed description of the surgery, where scarring would occur, what type of anesthesia would be used, where the procedure would take place, as well as to discuss factors specific to each particular patient, including age, skin type, nipple and areola positioning and amount of tissue to be removed.
Some insurance companies cover this procedure, as it is not solely deemed cosmetic.
Many health concerns can be alleviated through the procedure, making it a medical necessity rather than merely cosmetic. It is important to check with your insurance provider prior to having the reduction surgery.It is a good idea to have a list of questions to ask your prospective surgeon on your initial appointment.
You will also need to be prepared to give your family and medical history to insure proper care.If you smoke cigarettes, now is a good time to give them up, at least for a while, because nicotine affects the speed of healing due to altering blood flow around the nipple.
There are a variety of techniques that doctors use, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed as well as patient and physician preference. The most common procedure is an incision around the areola that allows the removal of the excess fatty tissue.
On occasion, the nipple would need to be removed and repositioned at a higher and more aesthetically pleasing level. This is something to discuss during that first office visit, as well.
Certain risks should be acknowledged and thought about before the final decision to have reduction surgeries. They include possible loss of sensation around the nipples, inability to breast feed, some asymmetry in the two breasts.
But the benefits outweigh the risks. Freedom from chronic aches and pain, the ability to fit into clothes and bras with ease, improved self image: all of these are important outcomes. With reduction surgery, many women have gotten a new lease on life, feeling that the weight of the world has been lifted, literally, from their shoulders.