Though many women may dream of having fuller breasts, those with overly large, heavy breasts don’t always see it as a blessing. For these women, their breasts can be a source of discomfort, both physical and social. Ariel Winter, star of the popular TV show Modern Family, knows all too well the struggle that large-breasted women face. Winter recently made news for undergoing breast reduction surgery to minimize her previously size F breasts. Though there were many reasons for her decision, physical discomfort was a main one. “It started to hurt so bad that I couldn’t take the pain,” Winter told Glamour magazine last August about the toll her overly large breasts took on her posture, causing her to hunch over as a result.
If you can relate to these sentiments, you’re not alone — most women with large, pendulous breasts experience difficulty in one form or another. The good news is, many of these women are able to find relief through breast reduction surgery. In this post, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Michaels lists ways his breast reduction patients have found relief through this procedure.
Relief from Chronic Back, Neck and Shoulder Pain
Heavy breasts can lead to all kinds of problems with pain. Women report chronic pain in the form of neck, back, shoulder and chest pain. Headaches, problems with poor posture and shoulder grooves from bra straps that are working overtime are all common issues as well. In fact, doctors have found that excess weight on the chest causes a woman’s body to pull forward, compressing nerve fibers in the back. Not only is this painful, but it may lead to serious nerve damage in the long term. In fact, studies have found that, as they age, many women with a breast cup size of D or larger experience changes in the curvature of their spine, creating a sort of “hunchback” effect.
Doctors agree on the solution: the only surefire way to alleviate these symptoms is breast reduction surgery.
Relief from Discomfort While Exercising
A study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health reported that, of the 249 women surveyed for the study, 17 percent avoided exercise because of their breasts. Their explanations included problems such as difficulty finding a sports bra that fit them and effectively minimized bounce and breast/back pain caused by movement; and embarrassment about their breasts bouncing while working out. Bari Lieberman, Fitness and Wellness Editor of the website Refinery29 and a woman with D-cup sized breasts points out that “gym shyness” is a common problem among large-breasted woman. “I, for one, will avoid the front row in indoor cycling class so that everyone doesn’t get a mirror-view of my endless cleavage while I’m bent over the bike,” she says.
Women who’ve undergone breast reduction surgery have noticed an immediate difference in their workouts, post-surgery. These women have reported no longer suffering from the painful bouncing, arm tingling and shoulder and back pain that they used to suffer from while working out.
Relief from Self-Consciousness
While, for some women, the idea of a larger bust line sounds like a dream, many women who live this reality find that it can be a nightmare. These women, some of whom are teenagers dealing with peers in school, know all too well the attention — often unwanted — that women with big breasts endure. Issues such as men unabashedly staring at your chest (not your face), people asking you what your cup size is (as if it’s their business!) and well-meaning but unaware friends exclaiming, “I wish I had your boobs!” all get old after a while. The breast reduction procedure can help these women achieve a more proportionate frame, boosting their self-esteem in the process.
Talk to Dr. Michaels about Breast Reduction Surgery
Do you have questions about the breast reduction procedure offered at Michaels Aesthetic & Reconstructive Plastic Surgery? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Joseph Michaels and get your questions answered. Contact us today by calling our Bethesda office at (301) 468-5991 or our Fairfax office at (703) 957-8610.
