Is a Breast Reduction Right for You? 10 Signs You Need a Reduction

While breast augmentation surgery is one of the top cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., breast reduction surgery is gaining in popularity. Breast reduction surgeries spiked by 11% in 2017 compared to 2016. And if you’ve been living with discomfort in your upper body for too long, it’s possible large breasts may be to blame for your aches and pains.

Here are nine signs you may want to consider having your breasts reduced.

1. Your Posture Is Poor

Heavy breasts can literally pull you into a slouching position over time, whether you’re sitting, standing, or walking. Your shoulders may roll forward and you may find it difficult to sit or stand up straight.

Poor posture can lead to back, hip, shoulder, and neck pain, muscle tension, and even disc degeneration in your back. You may get tired more easily and experience headaches. Breast reduction surgery can take some of the weight off your body so you find it easier to remain upright during your daily routine.

2. Your Breasts Are In The Way During Exercise, Sports, and Other Physical Activities

Even while wearing a good supportive sports bra, you may find your breasts are always in the way while working out or participating in a sport. Large breasts can make exercising and some yoga poses challenging or uncomfortable.

Exercise may even be painful for those with large breasts, as a sports bra cannot completely stop movement. High impact and cardio workouts may prove impossible to do. And if you’re a mom with large breasts, something as common as picking up your child may be challenging and painful.

3. You’re In Pain

As previously noted, poor posture caused by large breasts can put a lot of strain on the upper body, especially the shoulders and neck. It’s not unlike “tech neck“, which is caused by constantly looking down at a smartphone or computer.

You may experience soreness between your shoulder blades or in your back as well. A breast reduction operation can help you improve your posture and find some relief.

4. Your Bra Hurts

Your bra straps may not be able to comfortably support large breasts. You need to make your bra straps tight enough so they stay on your shoulders, but big breasts coupled with gravity can pull straps into your flesh, leaving behind grooved indents.

Many bras built for larger breasts also feature underwire, which can dig into your body as well. It can even be painful taking off the bra. If you’ve been noticing these indents every time you remove your bra and you’re experiencing discomfort from them, that’s a sign you could benefit from breast reduction surgery.

5. Cleaning Underneath Your Breasts Is Challenging

It’s not uncommon for women with large breasts to develop skin problems in the area such as rashes, chafing, and itching. Large breasts can make it challenging to clean underneath them. If they’re large enough to hang down over the breast crease, this means the area may not be able to dry properly.

A hot day can make you sweat in the area, creating the same issues. Some large-breasted women also develop yeast infections under the breasts as well. Smaller breasts make it easier to clean and dry this part of the body.

6. Your Nipples Aren’t As Sensitive

While hormonal or life changes such as having a baby make lead to decreased nipple sensitivity, it can also be a side effect of large breasts. Large breasts can put strain on nerve endings in the nipple area, leading to decreased sensitivity. 

7. Difficulty Finding a Bra That Fits

While many bra manufacturers pay extra attention to bra features for larger breasts, you may still have a hard time finding a good bra that fits well. Low-cut cups and similar styles are hard to pull off because your breasts may spill out of them. Women with smaller breasts tend to have more style options when it comes to purchasing comfortable fitting bras.

8. Sleeping Is Uncomfortable

Large breasts can make sleeping on your stomach impossible. You may also be unable to find a comfortable sleeping position. Not getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night can lead to weight gain, anxiety, more colds, and other health issues.

9. You Have Numb Or Tingly Fingers

It may be hard to believe that having large breasts can affect your hands and fingers. Yet, the extra weight on the front of your body can put strain on your shoulders and arms, leading to pinched nerves. These suffocated nerves can create a tingling or numb sensation in your hands and fingers.

So, it may not be carpal tunnel syndrome making your fingers feel funny, but your breasts.

10. People Always Seem Fixated On Your Chest

It may not be a physical problem, but if you feel like people can’t take their eyes off your chest while you’re speaking, it can become frustrating and wear at your self-esteem. Some women may even feel self-conscious about their breast size and the effect their breasts have on strangers. Having breast reduction surgery may help you gain some confidence and encourage others to focus on you, not your breasts.

Is Breast Reduction Surgery Right For You?

You deserve and look and feel your best. If you’ve been experiencing several of the signs above for some time and you have large breasts, you may want to consider having breast reduction surgery. It can give you the lifestyle change that’s been alluding you all this time.

Here at La Belle Vie Plastic Surgery, we’ve relieved hundreds of patients of the discomfort they were experiencing from having large breasts. Check out our before and after breast reduction gallery to see the physical difference this procedure can make for you.