My Big Breasts Make My Back Hurt

Back pain is not an uncommon occurrence. Upwards of 65 million US adults have had a recent bout with back pain and some 16 million have chronic back pain. Typically, we blame back pain on injuries, intense exercise, and even degenerative conditions. But what we don’t talk about enough is the role large breasts can play in back pain. 

Our experts at Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island in Roslyn Heights, New York know that back pain is complicated and can stem from a variety of factors, including large breasts. So, we’re laying out the research about breast-related back pain and showing you how you can find relief. 

Your boobs and your back

The relationship between larger-than-average breasts and back pain is complicated and involves a few factors. Bigger breasts throw off your center of gravity and cause you to strain the ligaments and muscles in your back. Furthermore, if you’re postmenopausal and your bones are more brittle as a result, the likelihood of your breasts causing back pain increases. 

However, it’s important to know that there are usually a few other things at play. For instance, being overweight can also contribute to breast-related back pain. 

It’s also been found that women with larger breasts are more often than not wearing an incorrect bra size. Without the right support, your posture suffers and your back pays the price.

Other breast-related woes

Back pain isn’t the only trouble that can come from larger breasts. They can keep you from participating in everyday activities and lead to frequent skin irritation under your breasts. 

What you can do about it

There are a few ways you can manage breast-related back pain. You can attempt to strengthen your back and core muscles, fortify your bones with a calcium-rich diet, and even take the time to invest in bras that fit perfectly. 

However, the only way to truly guarantee that your back pain becomes a thing of the past is to consider breast reduction surgery. We understand if the word surgery makes you second guess addressing your breast problem, but rest assured this procedure isn’t as aggressive as you’re picturing. Here’s how it works. 

The Plastic Surgery Associates of Long Island surgeons begin by administering general anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. 

For mild to moderate decreases in breast sizes, we employ the short scar technique. This requires a small incision around your areola and vertically down to the breast crease. Through those incisions, we carefully remove excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue to reduce your breast size. 

If you need a more dramatic reduction in breast size, we may need to make additional incisions underneath the breast crease. 

Regardless of which surgical technique we use, we take great care in minimizing as much post-surgical scarring as possible. 

During your surgery, we also perform nipple and areola repositioning as well as other skin-lifting techniques to ensure that your breasts look symmetrical. 

A note on liposuction

If you have extra breast fat and little to no sagging, we may suggest that liposuction, not surgery, is the best route for breast reduction. It’s important to know that liposuction only removes fat and doesn’t provide a lift, so it’s not always the best option.

What to expect after breast reduction surgery

As with any surgery, you spend some time recovering after breast reduction surgery. Most women are back at work within a week of their procedure, while others require up to two weeks. We recommend that you avoid physical activity that involves your upper body for at least a month and follow all post-operative care instructions our team gives you. 

Want to see if you’re a candidate for breast reduction surgery? Call or click to schedule a consultation at our Roslyn Heights, New York, office today. 

We are a Plastic Surgery center, and offer Breast Reduction, Tummy Tuck, and mommy makeover services. Call us to book your appointment today.