Constant back and neck pain, gouges in your shoulders from bra straps, difficulty with clothing fit, and deteriorating posture and an inability to participate in certain activities rank among the common complaints of women with large breasts. Breast reduction surgery (reduction mammaplasty) may help relieve these symptoms. As technology advances, more women are seeking consultations from plastic surgeons to discuss options for adjusting their breast sizes to a healthier and more comfortable level. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 104,000 breast reduction surgeries were performed in 2006. Breast reduction is often considered a medically necessary treatment due to its interference with the activities of daily life and physical symptoms, so third party payors and referrals from primary care physicians are often involved.

So, what are the indications for breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction surgery is for women who have large breasts and want to resolve one or more of the following associated problems:

* Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain

* Poor posture

* Skin rash under the breasts

* Deep grooves in the shoulders from bra strap pressure

* Restricted levels of activity

* Low self-esteem

* Difficulty wearing or fitting into certain bras and clothing

Women can have breast reduction surgery at any age, but it’s generally advisable to wait until you’re at least age 17 or 18, by which time your breasts are likely to be fully developed. However, sometimes surgery is performed in teens who suffer significant emotional and psychological effects of having too-large breasts (called juvenile breast hypertrophy). Patients are often advised that if they want children and wish to breastfeed, they may consider postponing breast reduction surgery until afterwards. Changes to breast tissue during pregnancy could alter your surgical results. Also, after the surgery, breast-feeding may be difficult.