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‘I just felt so much better’: Why more women are downsizing their bust

19 September, 2023 . 0

Experts say the number of women choosing breast reduction surgery is on the rise. Here’s why.

Having ample breasts has traditionally been considered a positive by many.

But for those who have to live with them, the perils of big boobs can include unwelcome attention and chronic pain.

And those are just some of the reasons some women are turning to breast reduction surgery.

What is breast reduction surgery?

Also known as reduction mammoplasty, breast reduction is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of larger breasts.

Research has found breast reductions can help boost patients’ self-esteem and alleviate physical pain and discomfort caused by heavy breasts.

Breast reduction may also improve confidence to exercise and engage in a more active lifestyle, a new Flinders University study suggests.

Reasons for breast reduction surgery

Specialist plastic surgeon Dr Richard Bloom says more Australian women are undergoing the procedure every year.

“It’s actually a very common surgery,” Dr Bloom, of Re Plastic Surgery says.

“Often, it’s done for three factors – physical, psychological, and aesthetic. It can be quite life-changing.”

Dr Bloom says breast reduction can help resolve issues such as:

Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain
Poor posture
Rashes or skin irritation under the breast
Shoulder grooving, where the bra straps grind into the skin
Nerve pain
Restricted activity
Needing to wear double bras to do normal activities or play sport
Poor self-image

Dr Bloom says with heavy breasts there is often an associated droopiness.

“A lot of women also feel quite embarrassed by the size of their breasts,” Dr Bloom says.

His patients range in age from from teenagers to women in their 70s.

Specialist plastic surgeon Pouria Moradi says the goals of a breast reduction surgery are to reduce volume, reshape and reposition.

“Figure out the cup size you are now, and which you want to go to, but have photos of what you like from the surgeons’ galleries or social media feeds, because what you think is a C or D cup may be different to the surgeon,” Dr Moradi says.

Dr Bloom says he has removed up to 2kg of breast tissue.

Typically, the surgery takes two hours and includes an overnight hospital stay with a six-week recovery period.

How much does breast reduction surgery cost?

The average all-inclusive cost of breast reduction surgery could be from $18,000 to $20,000 in Australia, Sydney Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic senior clinical advisor Angela Velonas says.

“This would include the plastic surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee and hospital costs,” she explains.

“However, your total out-of-pocket cost could be reduced if your breast reduction meets Medicare’s criteria of eligibility and qualifies for a partial Medicare rebate.”

Other things to consider about breast reduction surgery

Limited research suggests that breast reduction decreases the risk of developing breast cancer.

“Principally by decreasing the quantity of breast tissue in which cancer can develop,” Angela says.

While the procedure may lead to scarring, Angela says scars tend to fade over time.

“Your plastic surgeon will be able to provide an indication of scarring at your consultation,” she adds.

While a common concern for women is the inability to breastfeed after the operation, Dr Moradi says the risk is low.

For all reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery, consult an approved specialist plastic surgeon.

‘I just felt so much better’

The pitfalls of having extremely large breasts are all too familiar for Queensland mother and daughter Kathy and Tegan.

Both experienced unwanted comments and self-esteem issues growing up.

They also had back problems, struggled to get bras in their sizes and found it challenging to go for a run.

“I got to my late 30s, and I thought I don’t want to keep doing this,” Tegan says.

Tegan, 39, found a local plastic surgeon and downsized her bust “to a more average size”.

“I just felt so much better. My back pain was gone,” she says. “I could wear a bikini, which I’ve never been comfortable doing before.”

Kathy, 65, followed suit after seeing how the surgery change her daughter’s life.

“I’d thought about it when I was younger,” Kathy says.

“But I felt like getting an operation on your breasts wasn’t something you had done then.

“But after my daughter had hers done, she just seemed so much happier and confident, so I had the surgery too.”

More on breast care:

Updated September 2023.