The upper portion of your spine is very strong. Anchored to your rib cage and supporting your entire body, this sturdy joint is still susceptible to pain. At the office of Dr. Gutowski in Glenview, IL, we understand that large breasts can lead to upper back strain and joint pain. That’s one reason why we are proud to offer breast reduction in Chicago.
Physical therapy, upper back exercises, analgesics, and customized bras can all ease back pain. But these pain-reduction techniques aren’t ideal, and they’re not permanent solutions. The only way to truly ease upper back pain caused by large breasts is to reduce the size of the breasts.
According to a study published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, women with a breast size of at least DD experienced chronic pain of the shoulders, neck, lower back, or upper back. After breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, 90% of women experienced no further pain.
Reduction mammaplasty reduces or eliminates the pain caused by large breasts because posture is improved after the procedure. To carry large breasts, the body shifts the back from one awkward position to another. Over time, if you are a breast cup size D or larger, upper back pain can occur due to altered spine curvature.
When your back no longer has to curve unnaturally to support your breasts, your spine is not forced to become more misaligned. With targeted exercise, eventually, your spine can shift back into its appropriate position. Normal posture will become comfortable and natural, and you will no longer suffer from pain.
Reduction mammaplasty can absolutely ease chest pain. There are many reasons why women with large breasts experience chest pain. For instance, bras dig into the chest wall beneath the breasts.
Moreover, many large-chested women are self-conscious about the size of their breasts. Therefore, they will hunch their shoulders to hide their breast size. This can cause upper chest pain. When you are proud of your breast appearance, you will no longer slouch forward, and your upper chest will no longer hurt.
The weight of your breasts can put undue stress on your lungs. If your breasts are unsupported, you may even have abnormal pressure put on your diaphragm. Either of these things can lead to difficulty breathing. Moreover, back pain caused by large breasts can lead to difficulty breathing.
With reduction mammaplasty, posture is improved. This eases back pain and eliminates the risk that you experience difficulty breathing due to back pain. Improved posture also means that your lungs and diaphragm are not being constricted. Finally, improved posture means the weight of your breasts is not crushing the organs required for breathing.
Women with large breasts often find quality sleep difficult to achieve. Breathing is hard. You suffer from neck, back, and shoulder pain. You may even suffer from tension headaches or migraines caused by the stress of pain.
When your breasts are smaller, you can sleep on your stomach or side much more comfortably. You can also sleep on your back without experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing.
If you are self-conscious about your large chest, you may find sex is not as enjoyable as it should be. When the size of your breasts is reduced, you will have the self-confidence to love every inch of your body and find sex to be more enjoyable. Besides improved self-confidence, women with smaller breasts may find it easier to maneuver into more enjoyable positions.
When the size of your breasts is reduced, you will find that exercise is easier. Hydrodynamics is improved, which will make you a better swimmer overnight. Maneuvering a weighted bar is easier and safer when you are performing Olympic lifts. Running does not cause breast, neck, back, or shoulder pain, and indoor rowing and indoor cycling are more comfortable to perform.
Large breasts can lead to mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Many women feel isolated and unloved due to the size of their breasts. This perceived isolation may lead to depression. Moreover, large-breasted women may feel generalized anxiety or social anxiety due to the severity of their self-consciousness.
If the size of your breasts causes you to chronically worry about what people think or say about you, reducing the size of your breasts will assuage these fears. The more self-confident you are, the more likely you are to take social risks by talking to new people and making new friends. This reduces feelings of isolation and self-doubt that cause depression and anxiety.
Before your reduction mammaplasty, Dr. Gutowski will administer anesthesia. Depending on your health, the extent of the procedure and your personal preference, you may receive general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Once the anesthesia and sedation have taken effect, a tiny, discrete incision will be made starting at the areola.
This incision will extend down to the underside of your breast. Through this opening, fatty tissue, glandular tissue and skin tissue are removed. Depending on the extent of the reduction you need, the nipple may be repositioned.
The reduction you can expect from reduction mammaplasty depends on several factors. These include whether liposuction is also used, how much excess skin is removed, and the incision technique used.
On average, clients can expect a reduction of one to two cup sizes. This may or may not sound like a lot to you, but you would be amazed by the difference a single cup size makes.
After your procedure, we will observe you briefly to ensure enough of the anesthesia has worn off. Then, we will send you home for rest and recuperation. Note, you cannot drive within 24 hours of your procedure. Therefore, you should have a loved one drive you home. You should also have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours post-op to care for you.
After your reduction mammaplasty procedure, you should avoid lifting anything over five pounds. This includes grocery bags, vacuums, pets, and children. Avoid these activities for several weeks post-op. You should also avoid wearing a bra with a supporting underwire for the first several weeks post-op.
Furthermore, it is important that you avoid any activity that can elevate your blood pressure. For instance, you should not engage in vigorous exercise, spend too long in a sauna, consume nicotine, drink alcohol, eat too much salt, or take caffeine pills.
After reduction mammaplasty, you should drink plenty of water. We strongly advise our clients to drink at least a gallon of water daily in the two weeks following the procedure. You should also eat healthy foods that are high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients. Finally, make sure you are taking your prescriptions exactly as described.
To determine if you are a good candidate for reduction mammaplasty, come in for an initial consultation. We will review your medical history, assess your current health and consider your aesthetic and medical goals to determine if this is the right procedure for you. Generally, you are a good candidate for reduction mammaplasty if the following apply to you:
Absolutely! At the office of Dr. Gutowski in Glenview, IL, we often perform reduction mammaplasty in conjunction with a breast lift, also known as mastopexy. Mastopexy is required when your breasts sag due to weight loss, aging, pregnancy, or nursing. The amount of excess skin determines the incision technique and the extent of the incision.
There are three incision techniques that may be used during your breast lift. If you require only a small lift, you should only need a small incision along the fold surrounding the areola. If you need a moderate lift, you will receive a small incision around the areola. You will also receive a vertical incision that extends to the natural crease beneath the breast.
If you need a breast reduction to ease back pain, there is a good chance that you will need a dramatic lift. If you require a dramatic lift, you will receive incisions around the areola and down to the natural crease underneath the breast. You will also receive a horizontal incision that follows the breast fold’s direction.
After your procedure, you will be sent home to rest. It is important to note that you should start walking regularly the day after your procedure. While you should avoid lifting anything over five pounds and rest as much as you need, try to walk at least twice a day. Each day, walk a little farther than you walked the day before.
For the first couple of weeks after your breast lift, you should sleep on your back. You should be elevated by two to three pillows. You will need to take all prescriptions, including antibiotics, exactly as instructed. During your initial consultation, we will provide you with a comprehensive overview of what to expect after your breast lift.
Many women are afraid to get a breast lift because they fear nipple repositioning will impede their ability to nurse. However, when repositioning the nipple, we can keep the nipple attached to the skin tissue. When the nipple is not separated from the underlying skin, connective tissue, and glandular tissue, you can nurse effectively.
If you feel that the position of your nipple makes you look older than you are, a breast lift and reduction without nipple repositioning may not be enough to increase your self-confidence. If you plan on having more children in the future, let Dr. Gutowski know and he can reposition your nipple such that your ability to nurse will not be impaired.
The results of mastopexy are not permanent. Unfortunately, the aging process continues no matter how well you take care of your skin. When collagen and elastin are weak, the skin often sags following weight loss. On average, you can expect the results of your breast lift to last 15 years.
Is the size of your breasts causing you back pain? If it is, breast reduction in Chicago may be able to help. To learn more about the incredible benefits of this procedure, please call the office of Dr. Gutowski in Glenview, IL today to schedule your initial consultation.
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