Will a Breast Reduction Eliminate My Back Pain?

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Frederick H. Watkins, MD, encounters many women dealing with physical discomfort due to their large breast size. 

One of the most frequent complaints is back pain, and the most common question is: Can a breast reduction take away my back pain? 

The answer is yes!

Here, Dr. Watkins explains why your breasts affect your back and how he can provide relief with breast reduction.

The relationship between large breasts and back pain

Several studies show a correlation between large breasts and upper torso pain, including back pain, but you probably don’t need official research to tell you that. As a woman with large breasts, you know from firsthand experience the connection is real.

Here’s what happens. The weight of your breasts strains your neck, shoulders, and back muscles, and the constant strain leads to chronic discomfort and pain — it’s as simple as that.

Over time, the extra weight affects your posture, leading to other musculoskeletal issues. It can also make certain activities, such as exercising, uncomfortable or even painful.

Other issues associated with larger breasts

In addition to back pain, large breasts can cause other problems. For example, many large-breasted women experience:

• Skin irritation and sores
• Excessive sweating
• Chafing under their breasts 
• Difficulty exercising without pain
• Difficulty finding supportive bras
• Wardrobe challenges

You may feel self-conscious about your appearance due to your large breast size, which can lead to psychological distress.

How can breast reduction surgery help?

Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, may relieve your back pain and other issues. 

During the procedure, Dr. Watkins removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin to achieve a breast size proportionate to your body. He performs the surgery using two methods: liposuction and traditional surgical excision. 

Liposuction is less invasive and leaves smaller scars, but it may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with very large breasts or a significant amount of excess skin. Dr. Watkins uses liposuction alone when he determines that you only need fat removal.

Traditional surgical excision, on the other hand, allows him to reduce your breast size more significantly. It also addresses sagging and allows Dr. Watkins to reshape your breasts and relocate your areolae and nipples so your breasts look perfectly proportioned and symmetrical.

If you suspect your back pain has something to do with your large breasts, you’re probably right. Fortunately, Dr. Watkins can help. Request a consultation online or call our location in McLean, Virginia, or Rockville, Maryland, today.