What are some signs I may benefit from a breast reduction?

Having been the resident of your body for your entire life, it can prove difficult to make the decision on whether a Breast Reduction will actually enhance the quality of the life you have always lived. The procedure is rarely an impulsive decision, and has often been on a patient's mind since puberty. This being said, there are some tell-tale signs that Breast Reduction candidates often present with.

Neck and back pain is very common. The size of your breasts can weigh down your upper body and shoulders, causing posture issues and muscle strain. The way you may subsequently carry yourself due to this can also lead to your bra straps digging in and then chafing, sweating or rashes under the breasts as you lean forward or hunch to try and alleviate the pain.

Similarly,in some instances, numbness and tingling in the hands can occur if your breasts are large enough to pull on your torso and affect your neck position. You can end up with nerve pain that radiates down your upper extremities. Similarly, numbness in your arms, and nerve tingling can result from the weight on your shoulders, pulling on nerves behind your collar bone, which in turn can cause headaches and migraines too. Decreased nipple sensitivity is also possible due to the strain and pull your breasts can put the nerves under.

Breathing problems can present, sometimes without you even realising it. Shortness of breath can occur when the weight of excess breast tissue on the chest requires you to work harder to breathe. This is because the breasts are constricting the natural movement of your diaphragm by weighing down your muscles and ribs.

Trouble losing weight due to discomfort when exercising is one of the most common symptoms a woman will present with when considering a breast reduction. Due to many of the physical constraints mentioned above, it can be near impossible for a woman to exercise in comfort, which in turn contributes to a lack of exercise and weight maintenance.

One of the most common complaints is that it can be very difficult to find clothing such as bathers and bras that fit properly. Active pursuits such as swimming, jogging, playing with your kids (if you have them) and even walking are often prevented because of this. It can be a challenge to find everyday clothing as well, particularly shirts or dresses which are appropriate for work.

Amongst all of this, your self esteem can definitely be negatively impacted. A combination of these factors is usually what leads women to enquire about breast reduction surgery.

To find out if you're a candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery, go ahead and complete our survey. 

If you have already completed the survey and have questions for Dr Burt, book your consultation here.