When Bigger is Too Big

Many women have breasts that are so large that they disrupt the quality of their lives. In 2011, the American Society of Plastic Surgery reported that over 63,000 breast reductions were performed in the United States. Patients with large breasts not only have an aesthetic deformity, but the condition frequently results in a functional disability as well.

Women with large breasts complain of back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, and pain within the breasts themselves. They often have skin rashes and skin breakdown beneath the fields of their breasts. Many women have decreased exercise tolerance, and because of this, they have to give up activities that they have historically enjoyed and as a result, gain weight elsewhere. They have difficulty with finding clothes that fit and are relegated to wearing loose fitting garments, such as sweaters and T-shirts. They feel that people frequently stare at them and this adversely impacts self-esteem, self-image, and self-confidence. It can result in anxiety and depression which can cause sexual and social inhibition. It can also significantly impact the quality of day-to-day life.

Is Bigger Better?

Many people say that breast size isn’t important, but is this statement really true, or does breast size make a big difference? In 2011, over 316,000 breast augmentations were performed in patients who were unhappy with their breast size. This made breast augmentation the most commonly performed cosmetic surgery performed in the United States last year.

Recently, a study was done at the University of Florida, which looked at perceptions of sexuality and self-esteem before and after breast augmentation. This study demonstrated a significant increase in sexual activity and self-esteem following breast augmentation. Patients had an 81% increase in sexual arousal, a 78% increase in sexual desire, and a 57% increase in sexual satisfaction.

At Aesthetic Surgical Images, we find that patients seeking breast augmentation often complain of lowered self-esteem, self-image, and self-confidence. They feel that their breast size affects feelings of feminity, sexuality, and how clothes fit. These women are dissatisfied with their breast size and feel insecure about their bodies. They frequently request breast augmentation, not to draw attention to themselves, but instead, so that they fit in. They desire breasts that have harmony, balance, and proportion with other anatomic features. In our experience, this operation results in some of the highest satisfaction rates that we see.

Breast Augmentation with Breast Lift, One or Two Procedures?

At Aesthetic Surgical Images, we frequently see women who have breast hypoplasia associated with breast sag. The majority of these women present because of changes in their body which occur because of pregnancy. During pregnancy, their breasts increase in size and after pregnancy they shrink. This often leads to loss of breast volume and resultant skin sag.

To correct this problem, patients will require breast augmentation with a breast lift. There are basically two approaches to performing these two procedures. The first involves a single-stage procedure in which breast lift and augmentation are performed simultaneously. The second involves a two-stage procedure in which the breast augmentation and breast lift are performed at two separate settings.

The issue of one or two stages for breast augmentation with breast lift continues to represent an area of significant controversy in plastic surgery. This appears to be driven by the large number of variables involved with breast augmentation and breast lift. Some surgeons feel that the additive impact of these variables result in a high revisionary rate. Some surgeons feel that this may be as high as 20%.

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 For more information about Obagi and how to get your hands (or face) on this holiday special, call (402) 390-0100 or toll-free at (800) 331-5001 to schedule a consult with one of our board-certified physicians.