How Breast Reductions Affect Your Physical Health

Dolly Parton once famously said on a Johnny Carson show in the 1980s that she had been “blessed” with a naturally bountiful bosom. But many women consider their large breasts to be anything but a blessing. Large breasts can lead to a number of health problems, such as backaches, neck pain, numbness in the fingers in hands, as well as migraine headaches and shortness of breath.

How do large breasts affect a woman’s physical health?

Bethannie Snodgrass, MD, a plastic surgeon and author of the new book, When Less Is More: The Complete Guide for Women Considering Breast Reduction Surgery, says that “As women get older and heavier, their shoulders naturally roll forward, which in turn puts compression in the thoracic outlet — the area where the ribs, shoulder blades, and nerves come through a rather narrow triangle…The larger your breasts are, the more you will pull forward, and the more compression occurs — and over time that is going to lead to some significant discomfort.”

And that’s just on the physical level. There are also issues with day-to-day living, ranging from not being able to participate in sports or aerobic exercise, to searching far and wide for clothing that fits, to difficulty in picking up one’s children. Moreover, being overly large breasted may bring on emotional and psychological problems, caused by embarrassing ogling, inappropriate and hurtful jokes, or not being taken seriously in social or career situations.

How may the surgery affect my health?

Undergoing a breast reduction is not without risks. It is a surgery after all, with all the risks that a surgery entails, and there are a couple side effects to consider. For one thing, the procedure can also lead to some scarring. Some women may also experience a lack of sensitivity in the nipple area after surgery, but on the other hand, some women already have nipple numbness caused by the sheer size of their breasts, and actually gain breast sensitivity after the surgery.

There are far more health benefits than drawbacks when it comes to breast reduction surgery. Eliminating the excess weight in the chest area not only prevents abnormal anatomical changes down the road, but the relief from pain and discomfort improves a woman’s quality of life, leading to more physical activity which means improved general health. Maintaining a healthy body and mind helps lead to a positive outlook on life. It’s far easier to maintain that quality of life when you have a fit and proportionate figure.