Breast Reduction: Treatment, Effect & Risks

Many women wish to have larger breasts. However, as our society is getting fatter and fatter, it is quite common that especially overweight women wish for smaller breasts. While slim women with small breasts can cheat their bust size larger with some tricks, women with large breasts can neither reduce their bust size in the short term, nor exchange the back discomfort associated with it. Often, the only thing that helps here is the scalpel. But what exactly happens during a breast reduction?

What is a breast reduction?

Breast reduction is a surgical procedure of the (usually female) breast, which has the goal of reducing the skin of the bust, as well as the breast gland tissue. Breast reduction is a surgical procedure of the (mostly female) breast, which aims to reduce the skin of the breast, as well as the mammary gland tissue. This is performed exclusively by the physician. Breast reduction is often considered a cosmetic procedure, but it is also possible for health insurance to cover part or all of the cost of the operation if it is deemed medically necessary, for example as a result of massive damage to the musculoskeletal system. This is decided by appropriate experts, a general claim to it does not exist on the part of the health insurance companies to their insured.

Function, effect and goals

Breast reductions are performed predominantly on women with disproportionately large breasts. However, it is also possible for overweight men who have lost a lot of weight to have sagging breasts and tissue reduced (see also: gynecomastia (male breast augmentation)). Also, transsexual women who undergo surgery to become men receive breast reduction. This is always a surgical procedure, however there are now many different methods of reducing breast size. The reasons for such procedures can be physical or psychological. While one patient finds her breasts beautiful but suffers from their massive weight, another patient has more of a problem with the cosmetic appearance. So, depending on the initial situation, the function or goal of breast reduction is to increase the patient’s sense of well-being, to achieve an aesthetic appearance, and possibly to eliminate physical discomfort if the breast has actually already damaged the musculoskeletal system. In particular, the back, both the lower back and the neck, may be affected. Breast reduction is only performed in Germany after the age of 18. For women, especially the bust has an important meaning. If it is not “perfect” or does not fit the body, this can be an immense psychological burden for many women. Here, too, health insurance companies may be able to intervene and cover the costs with appropriate expert opinions. However, there is no guarantee for this and all too often the patient is left to bear the costs.

Risks, side effects and dangers

The risks, dangers and side effects of breast reduction are pretty much those that can occur with any surgery. Breast reduction is an extensive surgery that massively interferes with the body. Bleeding, hematoma, inflammation, toxic reactions, thrombosis, and embolism can occur with any surgery, and any surgical procedure can potentially be fatal, although this is very rare. It can also happen that the patient does not like the result after the operation as much as he/she had hoped at first. It is also possible that the back has already been irreversibly damaged to such an extent that there is no noticeable improvement in the symptoms despite the reduction of the breast. In this case, it must always be carefully considered and discussed how sensible the reduction of the bust is. Of course, this does not apply to transsexual persons who want to get rid of their female breasts or to such patients who have lost a lot of weight. As a rule, they feel that they are relieved of a burden. Nevertheless, it should never be disregarded that this is a serious surgery that can have its risks and side effects. Therefore, people who are interested in breast reduction should always consult a doctor they trust and get in-depth advice.Then, even with breast reduction, there is as little as possible to worry about and the result will be a good and satisfactory one.