According to new research presented at an American Society of Plastic Surgeons conference, women who have breast reduction surgery may be at a decreased risk for spine and other back disorders. Macromastia, overly large breasts, can cause a variety of medical problems: significant shoulder pain, back pain, and curvature of the spine. Many of my patients who are candidates for breast reduction have suffered with bad posture and deep shoulder grooves caused by bra straps. In this study, women who had mammoplasty, breast reduction, experienced decreased stress in their lower back while performing a physical activity. The women also reported dramatic improvements in their ability to move. My patients have reported similar experiences after breast reduction surgery.

Large breasts can cause more than just a body-image problem; they can literally restrict your lifestyle, impairing a person’s ability to lead an active life. Procedures such as a breast reduction can drastically boost confidence and improve well-being. And today these procedures require less downtime and smaller scars. I have developed a number of breast reduction procedures to reshape breasts and improve self-image. I perform breast reduction as an outpatient procedure in my fully accredited operating room where patients have sedation so there is no need for general anesthesia. Small incision surgery and scarless breast reduction mean quicker recovery and virtually no scarring. I use these techniques to surgically remove excess breast tissue while providing a pleasing breast contour and shape. Click here to see before and after photos of my patients who have had breast reduction procedures.

Research on the impact of breast movement and size on running recently determined that breast sway does  have a significant effect on the women’s running making it physiologically more demanding. This data, reported in the New York Times, confirms what many of my patients have told me for years – that when breasts are so large, exercise is a miserable, if not impossible, option. Many of my patients are able to exercise comfortably for the first time after breast reduction, and find that it has opened them up to a much healthier lifestyle.

The study also highlights the need for better sports bras for all women. Breasts will remain firmer, with less sagging skin,  if they are well-supported by a bra that is durable and fits well.

See photos of before and after breast reduction

The Doctors TV show presented solutions for sagging breasts yesterday.   Breast reduction is a life-changing surgery for many patients who have struggled with large breasts. Many patients have come to me despondent, after being turned away by other surgeons who refuse to perform breast reduction surgery on them until they lose weight – a position I find ridiculous. Although breasts are comprised partly of fat, even drastic weight loss won’t result in more than a negligible shrinkage in that area (and even then, breasts will still be saggy.)  Many doctors ignore a crucial dilemma: When your breasts are so large, exercise is miserable, if not impossible,  so it is very difficult to lose weight.

Being overweight does not exclude you from having breast reduction surgery. In fact, it will motivate you to lose weight by improving your body image and freeing you to exercise with minimal bouncing and flipping.  It’s always great when my patients come back after breast reduction surgery and I see how they are getting in shape and can finally enjoy exercise.

For before and after pictures of breast reductions click here.