Can breast surgery for cosmetic purposes be lifesaving, life changing, neither or both?
Some suggest that only medical surgeries can be life-saving, whilst cosmetic surgery can only ‘sometimes’ be life changing. Others argue that cosmetic surgery is purely for aesthetic purposes and can never be either of the above.
Let’s discuss…
Whilst it’s definitely true that medical surgeries are lifesaving when you think of heart surgeries, removal of cancerous tumours or any emergencies that need fast immediate surgical intervention like head traumas, respiratory problems, ruptured appendix and so on, we wholly believe that, albeit a non-emergency procedure, cosmetic surgery can indeed save lives in the long run too.
Looking specifically at breast reduction surgery in this instance, this is a cosmetic surgery regularly done for medical reasons, one often prescribed on the NHS too.
But why?
If you suffer with large breasts, you will know all too well how cumbersome, uncomfortable and laden down you can feel whilst carrying around oversized boobs.
Let’s look at how big, bulky breasts can have adverse effects on our bodies, affecting us physically;
- The weight – it seems obvious, but transporting around big sacks of fatty tissue, muscle, ducts, blood vessels, lymph nodes, lobes, lobules, and ligaments can be tough; especially if they are too big for our frames. If a person is small, and their breasts are large and out of proportion, they’re going to be extremely heavy to haul around.
- Sore back, neck and shoulders – large breasts can affect the muscles that are trying to carry them, which could contribute to much pain and tension in those areas.
- Misaligned / bad posture – Having sore neck, back and shoulders, or having to sit / stand in particular ways to support your heavy boobs, can cause slouching and poor posture which can lead to spinal dysfunction, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders and more.
- Rashes, chafing or infection – folds in or under large breasts can often succumb to chafing or rubbing, and because they’re hard to reach or access areas they can be harder to keep clean, and thus infections can form.
- Bra strap marks and sores – often, even if you are wearing the correct sized bra, the bra straps can cut into your shoulders if the weight they’re bearing is too heavy. This can cause pain, infection and prevent one from wearing a bra, which would lead to other pain issues.
If we are to look at just the above examples of how having breasts that are too big for our bodies to carry, can affect us so much physically, one can certainly see how, medically, a breast reduction would be the best way forward. To help alleviate and lessen the pain caused by carrying breasts that are too large / heavy, is no doubt life changing in this case?
- Unwanted looks or comments – we speak to many women who are looking for breast reduction surgery, for the main reason of removing the unwanted attention their large boobs bring to their life. Be it professionally or personally, all women can say that they have had people look at their boobs in their lifetime. Nearly all those with large boobs will report that they get remarks, looks, comments (positive and negative), daily. Being constantly known for your breasts instead of yourself as a person, people looking at your chest instead of your face, can adversely affect your self-esteem.
- Constant need for a bra and underwire – many women rejoice as they enter their house after a long day, as they look forward to whipping off their bra. When they go on holiday, they like to sunbath in an unwired bikini (or topless if possible), when they’re having sex they might take it off for their partner seductively, when they sleep or relax they get ‘comfy’ and remove it. This isn’t the case for most large breasted ladies. In the words of Sali Hughes in a fabulous Vogue article about her own breast reduction, “To go braless was to feel horribly uncomfortable, chafed, insecure, indecent, so weighed down that every task was immediately more difficult.” For bigger breasted women, the bra is necessary, the underwire is very much needed, almost all of the time.
- Forced fashion – although these days there are more brands that accommodate larger breasted people, these can often be catering for larger ladies in general too, meaning if it fits the boobs, it can be huge on the torso, and if it fits the waist, it can be far too tight for the breasts. Bikinis and bras are similar, if they’re large in cup, they’re large around the chest size. This means that it’s extremely hard to find clothes / underwear that you like, or that make you feel like you in them. You end up wearing clothes that are comfortable rather than sexy, catered for your breasts rather than your personality. How are you supposed to feel confident and self-assured if you can’t find clothes that suit your style or character?
- Inability to exercise or compete in sports – sports bras, however good and strong they are, unfortunately just don’t do the trick with very large breasts. Running or doing any form of jumping, leaping, or competitive sports can be extremely painful on a person’s body, and actually cause the breast to sag more. Not being able to run properly, compete in sports or be part of a team, or to get fit solo can harmfully affect a person’s mind, body and soul. This can also lead to unwanted and unnecessary weight gain, which could cause further insecurities too.
- Men / non binary people and breast reduction – for those who choose to be identified differently and thus have breasts that may not make them feel like themselves, or for males who have larger than average breasts (Gynaecomastia or male breast reduction), they can both receive negative looks, jokes and comments and feel extremely insecure and unlike the person they want to be, or feel like they are.
With just a few examples above, you can clearly see how having and dealing with large, oversized breasts can cause emotional distress, anxiety, and be detrimental to a person’s self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence.
Some may be able to handle the physical pain around large boobs, but others may severely struggle with psychological effects that can come with oversized breast issues. This is where breast reduction surgery can save a person.
We feel that giving someone the chance to feel more like themselves, to wear the clothes they choose, to express themselves how the wish, to be able to walk down a street with confidence and poise, play sports and work out, meet friends and colleagues and not feel self-conscious, not constantly have unwanted comments or stares, to be able to take off their bra if desired, to feel self-assured as the person they are and want to be.
This is the reason we do what we do, this is the reason we truly believe that breast reduction surgery cannot only be life changing, but lifesaving too!
If you suffer with oversized breasts that are getting you down, physically and mentally, if you’re a male or non-binary person who wants to reduce their breasts to make you feel more like the person you really are, if you yearn for getting your confidence back…come and see us for a free breast reduction consultation and we can talk over the options for you as an individual.