Large breasts can be a blessing—or a burden. For many women, they come with constant neck and shoulder pain, tightness in the upper back, and undesirable changes to their posture.
Sometimes, the heavy weight can cause women to skip workouts and limit their movements in general. For most, it feels like their bras never fit quite right, no matter how expensive or supportive they are.
That’s where breast reduction surgery can make a real difference.
It’s an important reminder that plastic surgery isn’t always about how you look. Sometimes, it can help you feel more at ease with your body.
At our Milwaukee, Wisconsin clinic, Dr. Mark Bosbous works with patients dealing with chronic pain and physical discomfort caused by breast size.
In this article, we’ll walk through how breast reduction can help relieve pain—and cover other important information you should know.
Why do large breasts occur?
Breast size can be impacted by a combination of things like genetics, weight, hormones, and pregnancy history.
For some women, large breasts are just something they were born with. But changes like sudden weight gain or hormonal shifts during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause can also trigger an increase in breast size.
Age can play a role as well. As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity, and the effects of gravity become more noticeable.
The constant downward pull can stretch out the breast skin and cause sagging— especially if your breasts already carry some weight. On top of that, your body’s fat distribution tends to change with age, which can add even more volume to the area.
Why do large breasts cause pain?
It comes down to weight. When breasts are too large for your frame, your spine and shoulders carry that load entirely.
This can lead to muscle strain, nerve compression, headaches, and, in more severe cases, long-term changes to the curvature of the spine.
Some patients have also reported tingling in their hands or arms from nerve impingement caused by the constant pull.
Women often come to our clinic with deep bra strap indentations, chronic tightness through the traps, and discomfort that gets worse with movement—not better.
What can you expect during a breast reduction procedure?
Breast reduction removes excess breast tissue, fat, and skin to create a lighter, smaller, and more proportional shape. The nipple is repositioned, the areola may be resized, and everything is reshaped to fit your frame.
The surgery is done under general anesthesia, and you’ll go home the same day.
As for recovery, it usually takes four weeks for you to go back to your more rigorous activities, but your surgeon will give you clear instructions to help everything heal smoothly.
Does a breast reduction procedure actually relieve pain?
Most patients feel a difference almost immediately.
That heavy, dragging sensation will eventually lessen, and you’ll be able to feel the shoulder tension easing up.
Only a small percentage of patients report continuing back or neck pain post-op—usually because of unrelated issues.
Who is a good candidate?
You’re likely a good candidate if you’re in good overall health, want a lighter, more balanced silhouette—and especially if:
- You feel weighed down by your breasts
- You’re dealing with regular upper back, neck, or shoulder pain
- You’ve got skin irritation or grooves from bra straps
- You’re not planning any major weight changes or future pregnancies
Aside from pain, many women choose this surgery simply to feel more comfortable in their bodies again. Maybe you’ve felt self-conscious for years or just tired of clothes never fitting right. Those are completely valid reasons to choose to undergo a breast reduction procedure.
Final thoughts
If your breasts are causing daily discomfort, you don’t have to just “deal with it.”
At our Milwaukee clinic, Dr. Mark Bosbous offers thoughtful care for women considering breast reduction surgery. He and his team walk you through what’s possible, what recovery looks like, and whether this could be the right option for you.
A consultation is the best place to start— and you can book one by clicking here right now.