If you’ve been experiencing back pain, the size of your breasts could be the culprit. After all, the excess weight of your breasts can put immense strain and stress on your body. 

Back pain from large breasts is a common health condition that countless women face every day. Experts believe this discomfort occurs when your shoulders begin to roll forward due to the heaviness of your breasts. When your shoulders hunch forward, it can strain your muscles and ligaments and compress the nerve fibers in your back, creating pain in your back, but also potentially in your neck and shoulders, too. If left untreated, it could eventually lead to skeletal deformities and prolonged discomfort.

This chronic pain can interfere with your daily life, making it uncomfortable to engage in everyday routines, especially when it comes to physical activities. Some women avoid exercising all together to prevent further triggering their pain. However, the good news is that back pain from breasts is not something you have to suffer with forever. Many studies have shown that breast reduction surgery provides a way to permanently eliminate back pain associated with overly-sized breasts. 

So what is a breast reduction and how can it help you? Below we’ve outlined more information about this procedure, including what you can expect and how a breast reduction for back pain relief may be the answer to your discomfort. 

What Is a Breast Reduction?

A breast reduction is a procedure in which an experienced plastic surgeon removes excess breast fat, skin, and tissue to reduce the size of one’s breasts. This procedure often involves repositioning the areola, and in some cases, the surgeon may perform a breast lift to help restore the firmness and positioning of the breasts. 

The Benefits of a Breast Reduction

Removing excess weight from your breasts can help alleviate chronic back pain, but it can also promote better posture, improve the appearance of your breasts, and even increase your self confidence. 

Although many women turn to breast reduction for back pain relief, this procedure is not only reserved for those facing health concerns and conditions. Some women choose to undergo this procedure due to cosmetic preferences. After all, breast reduction surgery is a great option for those who want to achieve a smaller size breast due to a variety of reasons, such as unevenness, droopiness, or sagginess. 

Regardless of whether you are experiencing back pain from your breasts or looking to reduce the size of your breasts for personal reasons, a breast reduction may help you feel happier and healthier. 

Is a Breast Reduction Right for Me?

If you’re facing back pain from large breasts, then yes, a breast reduction may be the solution to your discomfort. However, while a breast reduction can offer a safe and effective way of easing back pain, there are a number of factors to consider before turning to this procedure. 

As with any surgery, there are risks involved, so it is important to speak with your surgeon about your health conditions, allergies, medications you are taking, and your expectations. In addition to ensuring you are a healthy candidate, many surgeons suggest waiting until your breasts have finished developing (around age 17-18 or into one’s early 20s), as a premature reduction could lead to the need for additional surgeries in the future. 

What to Expect When Undergoing a Breast Reduction

Before undergoing a breast reduction for back pain relief, you will meet with your plastic surgeon and have an initial consultation. During this discussion, your surgeon will perform a physical examination, discuss your areas of concern with you, and educate you on the procedure. If you both mutually agree to move forward with the breast reduction, you will then attend a pre-operative appointment, in which your surgeon will provide you with more instructions and details on what to expect during and after your breast reduction procedure. At this point, you can then schedule your surgery day. 

The surgery for a breast reduction generally lasts only a few hours and many patients can return home the same day of the operation. After undergoing breast reductions, patients often experience some initial pain, but it will soon reside with the help of pain medication and plenty of rest. It is important to note that the breast reduction can cause scarring from the incision lines that may fade over time, and in some cases, the surgery could alter your nipple sensation. 

After the procedure, you will attend several post-operative appointments with your surgeon to ensure you are properly healing and recovering. Every day you will begin feeling stronger, and your back pain should soon reside. 

Breast Reduction Consultations with Dr. Leo Lapuerta

If you are considering a breast reduction for back pain relief, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lapuerta. Dr. Lapuerta is a triple-board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience performing plastic surgery in Houston, Pearland, and Katy, Texas. He works with his patients to understand their goals and develop a treatment plan that best aligns with their needs. He is always on hand to answer questions and walk patients through the procedures to ensure they feel comfortable and confident at all times. Ready to learn more about breast reductions to help relieve your back pain? Contact Dr. Lapuerta to request a consultation today.