For women, breast size and shape play a key role in the body’s contours. When well proportioned, they provide balance and symmetry, and can lend women a sense of confidence and poise.
However, not all breasts create that ideal bust line. Breasts can change shape over time due to medical treatments, pregnancy, genetics, or the aging process. Some women’s breasts are so heavy from early development onward that they may cause spine problems, including back pain.
Cosmetic breast surgery can help improve body proportion, breast appearance and overall self-image.
Breast surgery typically can be divided into two general categories:
- Augmentation ( augmentation mammoplasty ) : for increase the size, change the shape, and alter the texture of the breasts of a woman.
- Reduction ( reduction mammoplasty ) : is the plastic surgery procedure for reducing the size of large breasts (men and women)
Most breast augmentation patients choose implants for at least one of the following reasons:
- boost self-esteem
- disproportionately small breasts
- recently lost weight
- breasts changed shape following pregnancy
- mastectomy
Breast reduction surgery is meant for women who have large breasts and want to resolve issues such as:
- Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain that requires pain medications
- Chronic rash or skin irritation under the breasts
- Nerve pain
- Restricted activity
- Poor self-image related to large breasts
- Difficulty fitting into bras and clothing
In some women, the skin is not strong or resilient enough to support the weight of the breast, causing the breasts to sag. With this condition, called ptosis, there is too much skin compared to breast tissue. To give the breast a lift, or what is known as mastopexy, the excess skin must be removed.