Breast reduction surgery is known to offer significant benefits to women who suffer from overly large and pendulous breasts. Outcome studies show that for many women the operation provides relief from symptoms such as neck and back pain, headaches and shoulder grooving from bra straps. In addition, it may improve self-esteem and provide better quality of life as patients are better able to engage in physical activity and exercise. One group of women who may also benefit from breast reduction is women athletes. In many sports, carrying excess weight in the breasts may interfere with performance, as upper body movements and agility may be impacted by the size of the breasts. Some athletes have given the procedure increased public exposure, like tennis player Simona Halep who underwent breast reduction surgery at the age of 18 in order to improve her game. In some sports, such as running, track and field, cross country, and fencing, young women may feel encumbered by large breasts. Wearing jogging bras, sometimes even 2 at a time, does not always offer a permanent solution to the problem, and breast reduction surgery may be an option.
Breast development begins during puberty in pre-adolescence, and for some teenage girls breast enlargement develops extremely rapidly. For others, it takes longer for their breasts to achieve their final size. For those young adult girls who engage in sports either in high school or college, and who feel that they have significantly larger breasts than they are comfortable with, breast reduction surgery may be contemplated. There are numerous techniques available to reduce the size of the breasts, and some are performed with tiny incisions. These procedures, referred to as limited incision surgery or short scar surgery, yield smaller scars that are less noticeable. In some patients, liposuction may be performed in conjunction with or instead of traditional breast reduction surgery to provide the best results and shortest recovery.
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board certified female plastic surgeon in NYC and specializes in aesthetic surgery of the face, breast and body. Her office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is equipped with a fully accredited AAAASF certified Operating Room for the safety, comfort and privacy of her patients. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, please contact us or call us at (212) 452-1400.
