Breast Reduction Can Make A Big Difference

Undergoing breast reduction may seem rare, but this is an operation that continues to rank high on lists. In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conducted studies that placed this surgery among the top five surgical procedures by American women during 2008. It happens commonly, and the reasons behind making breasts smaller usually has little to do with how they look and often has a great deal to do with reducing pain.

And it's pain in the upper body that is nearly a guarantee when a woman's breasts are large in proportion to the rest of her. In these cases, the weight can cause aches in the neck, back or shoulders, and can lead to skin abrasions caused by tightened brassiere straps. Breast size that is excessively large can go beyond causing pain and can produce a burden of weight that makes it difficult for some women to move quickly or perform certain physical activities.

More rarely but still commonly seen, some women seek to have only one breast reduced since it has somehow grown larger than the other. And, of course, there are women who have large breasts and want them reduced since their large cup size makes them feel self-conscious or objectified in a sexual manner.

The most common procedure of breast reduction tends to be very close to that of the breast lift, since both surgeries include incisions in similar places. During the traditional reduction, the surgeon will make three key incisions to both breasts: one that circles the areola, one that goes along with the given curve of the breast crease, and one that extends from the bottom point of the areola to the crease that is underneath each breast.

From that point, the surgeon reduces the breast mass by removing fat, breast tissue and excess skin. Liposuction is regularly, but not always, part of breast reduction. Finally, the surgeon will move the nipple and areola to a higher point, and give the smaller breast a natural shape by adjusting and firming certain portions of skin. The recovery time for this operation is typically only a few weeks.

Women of any age can undergo breast reduction, though they are advised to attempt it at an age where their breast development is complete. And unlike other forms of breast augmentation, reduction is a procedure more likely to be covered by health insurance. This is because the patient can prove that the excessive breast size is causing injury - brassiere strap wounds, as one example.

But as always, certain factors can hinder coverage, such as the amount of tissue the patient wants removed. One added advantage of a breast reduction surgery is that it makes successful screenings for breast cancer easier to conduct.

You can find up-to-date spotlights on the world of breast reduction and other methods of augmentation by setting sights on The Plastic Surgery Channel.