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Breast reduction surgery reduces excess breast tissue and reshapes the remaining tissue to a smaller breast size. Although breast enhancement is a popular procedure around the world, breast reduction surgery also happens to be a commonly performed plastic surgery procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 41,000 cosmetic breast reductions and more than 62,000 reconstructive breast reductions were performed in 2014. How do you tell if breast reduction surgery is right for you?

Although there is no particular guideline on how big is “too big”, Dr. Michelle Coriddi a fifth year plastic surgery resident at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center says that any woman over the age of 18 can undergo the procedure as long as they are healthy enough. Women under the age of 18 are not advised to have breast reduction surgery due to the fact that their breasts might still be growing. In addition, women who are considering pregnancy should put off having breast reduction until they are done having children because of the potential inability to breastfeed.

One of the more common reasons to undergo breast reduction is that the patient is experiencing macromastia symptoms. Macromastia is a medical term for large breasts which accompanying pain in the neck, back and shoulder regions as well as a lack of confidence in social or intimate situations.

When all or some of these symptoms are prevalent in a patient, insurance companies may deem breast reduction medically necessary and help offset the cost. However, a patient who exhibits depression, anxiety or unrealistic views of themselves might be referred to a psychologist for consultation prior to breast reduction. Patients, who feel their life is guided by how they look now or that their life will change dramatically after the procedure, might not be ready psychologically for surgery.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and scheduling a consultation appointment is the first step in ensuring a successful outcome. Although discussing your ideal breast size during the consultation is a good idea, patients should understand there is no guarantee the final results will be as expected. The surgeon’s job is to make the most appropriate choice during the surgery to make sure the breast tissue is reduced and reshaped suitably. Choosing a surgeon with elite credentials can help minimize the risk of infection, scarring, asymmetrical breasts and changes with breast and nipple sensation. Breast reduction performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon is normally safe and gives patients excellent results. In general, breast reduction surgery patients tend to be satisfied with their results because the procedure has a large impact on how they look and how they feel. Breast reduction allows patients to resume regular exercise which also helps with their mental health as well.

– SP