Does Breast Reduction Surgery Reduce Neck And Back Pain?

Breast Reduction Surgery Is Not Just An Aesthetic Procedure

Breast reduction surgery is often considered only as an aesthetic procedure, but in fact, it can provide significant health benefits for many patients. Especially in individuals with very large breasts, a serious weight can occur in the neck, back, and shoulder area.

This weight can create a constant load on the spine over time and lower the quality of daily life. Therefore, breast reduction surgery can be evaluated not only as an aesthetic choice but also as a functional treatment approach for some patients.

Among breast aesthetic operations, breast reduction is one of the procedures that can significantly increase the quality of life of patients in terms of both appearance and physical relief.

Effects of Large Breast Structure on the Spine

Large and heavy breasts can create a significant load, especially in the upper parts of the spine. This load is mostly felt in the cervical (neck) and thoracic (back) spine regions.

Since the weight of the breasts constantly pulls forward, the spine begins to take a different position to maintain the balance of the body. This situation can cause posture disorders and chronic pain over time.

Many patients may experience the following complaints:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Feeling of pressure on the shoulders
• Bra straps leaving deep marks on the shoulders
• Posture disorder
• Difficulty in daily activities

These complaints can become chronic over time and seriously affect the patient's living comfort.

How Does Breast Reduction Surgery Reduce Spinal Load?

In breast reduction surgery, the excess tissue and weight of the breast are reduced. In this way, the total weight of the breasts decreases, and the pressure on the spine is significantly lightened.

After the surgery, many patients express that they experience significant relief, especially in the neck and back area. Because when the constant load on the spine is eliminated, the body can gain a more balanced posture.

Therefore, breast reduction surgery can be evaluated not only as an aesthetic procedure but also as a health intervention that increases the quality of life for some patients.

Breast Reduction Surgery According to Prof. Dr. Osman Kelahmetoğlu’s Clinical Experience

According to Prof. Dr. Osman Kelahmetoğlu, one of the most important effects of breast reduction surgeries is the reduction of the load on the spine. Significant relief can be achieved, especially in the cervical and thoracic spine regions.

Stating that many patients who have breast reduction surgery in his clinical practice are referred by physicians from different branches, Prof. Dr. Osman Kelahmetoğlu states that especially neurosurgery, physical therapy, and orthopedics specialists refer some patients experiencing neck and back pain to plastic surgery for evaluation purposes.

Therefore, breast reduction surgery can be evaluated as a part of the treatment process of neck and back spine problems in some patients.

What Health Problems Can Large Breasts Cause?

Large breast structure is not only an aesthetic problem. In the long run, it can also cause different health problems. Especially as the load on the spine increases, various problems may arise on the musculoskeletal system.

Some problems that large breasts can cause are:

• Chronic neck pain
• Back and shoulder pains
• Posture disorder
• Bra strap marks on the shoulders
• Discomfort during physical activity
• Difficulty exercising

When such complaints continue for a long time, patients may even have difficulty in daily life activities.

How Do Patients Feel After Breast Reduction Surgery?

After breast reduction surgery, many patients state that the load on the shoulder and back area has decreased starting from the first weeks. Especially with the elimination of the weight created by large breasts, it becomes possible to move more comfortably.

Patients usually notice the following changes:

• A more comfortable posture
• Reduction in neck and back pains
• Ease in physical activities
• Clothes looking more compatible with the body

In addition, a positive change can be experienced psychologically for some patients. Balancing body proportions can make the person feel more comfortable.

Who Might Be Suitable for Breast Reduction Surgery?

Breast reduction surgery can be considered especially in the following cases:

• People experiencing neck and back pain due to large breast structure
• Patients with bra strap marks on the shoulders
• People experiencing posture disorders
• Patients experiencing difficulty in daily activities
• People who are uncomfortable with the weight of the breasts during physical activities

Whether this surgery is suitable or not is determined after a detailed examination.

For patients with a lack of volume in the breast, a different approach may be required. In such cases, different breast aesthetic operations such as breast augmentation surgery can be planned.