Monday 11 November 2013

Study: Breast reductions improve quality of life

Women who get procedure done have less pain, more confidence
BALTIMORE —A recent study shows that the majority of women who have breast reduction surgery end up having a better quality of life than those who may need it but don't get it done.

Many plastic surgeries are done for cosmetic reasons, but when a woman undergoes breast reduction surgery, her reasons are often due to physical and/or emotional issues.
Manon Wilkinson had large breasts ever since she hit puberty, and for her, it was difficult.
"It's something I've been uncomfortable with my entire life. It's caused me back issues. Most recently, it's caused me shoulder issues. I'm a hairdresser, so I'm on my feet all day long, and my arms are raised. My bra straps are pressing on my shoulders constantly, which was causing me a lot of pain," Wiklinson told 11 News.
She decided to have breast reduction surgery.
"This is something I've been wanting to do for about 20 years," she said.
A recent study in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal revealed that overall, breast reduction surgery improves a woman's quality of life significantly.
"When you reduce the weight of the breasts, you're really relieving a lot of tension to the upper back, neck and shoulder area, and that improvement has indirect effects in that it improves the way you feel," said Mercy Medical Center plastic surgeon Dr. Brendan Collins.
Collins said a patient can feel that improvement right after surgery.
"Sometimes that improvement is immediate upon waking up. A patient in the recovery room with a larger volume reduction will feel that difference right away," he said.
Wilkinson said it's changed her life dramatically, both physically and emotionally.
"I started off as a 34G, and I'm now a 34D," she said. "Since my surgery, I've had no back pain whatsoever. My shoulder pain is gone. My overall confidence has been greatly affected. The way my clothes fit -- I'm not embarrassed anymore. I stand up straighter because I'm not embarrassed to show my body."

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