Why Have Breast Reduction Surgery?

Ariel Winter at PaleyFest 2015, three months before her breast reduction procedure.

Ariel Winter made an appearance at PaleyFest LA in March of this year. She is seen above, three months before her Reduction Mammoplasty. Per her interview in Glamour, prior to her surgery she was wearing a 32F bra. If Ariel is anything like the many Breast Reduction patients I have taken care of, her preoperative bra size was probably too small. Women with large breast wear bras that are too small in an effort to control the weight and momentum of their large breasts. A smaller band size is tighter against the chest and helps to control bounce, while a smaller cup size can help hold and minimize the breast itself.

The Problems With Larger Breasts

Ariel Winter at the January 2014 SAG Awards. Not too many cute little teeny-bopper dresses will fit an F-cup.

For most men and women with small breasts, it may be hard to understand why a woman would want Breast Reduction Surgery. Unless you or someone close to you has the problem, ample breasts may seem more like a blessing. The truth is large breasts hurt. Their weight pulls down on the shoulders, causing ruts where the bra straps dig in. The muscles of the neck and upper back often spasm trying to support the torque caused by the large, cantilevered breasts, leading to chronic neck and back pain. Rashes under the breasts are common, especially in hot Walnut Creek summers, from the skin-on-skin contact.

The Pain is Not Just Physical

The emotional pains associated with large breasts may weigh more on the mind than the physical pains. Ridicule and teasing are commonly experienced by women with large breasts. Ariel was often criticized for her weight, due to her out-of-proportion breasts on her 5′-1″ frame. She does great work as an actor on Modern Family, but felt undermined by headlines like “Ariel Winter Shows Huge Boobs At… (fill in the event)!”

Breast Reduction Before and After Pictures

Breast Reduction Before and After Pictures illustrating the typical goals of reduced size and lifted breasts.

Typically, the Reduction Mammoplasty has two goals. The primary goal is to reduce the size of the breast, and the secondary goal is to lift the breasts. Both reducing the breast volume and tightening the skin envelope provide less torque on the neck and back. A smaller breast is lighter, and a tighter breast stops moving when you do, and the improvement is immediate. Most patients notice improvement of their symptoms as soon as they wake-up from surgery.

Ariel Winter After Breast Reduction

Ariel Winter after her breast reduction. The size, while still large, is significantly better proportioned to her body, and her physical and emotional improvement was immediate.

Ariel Winter describes her motivation for Breast Reduction in an article in Glamour Magazine. Quite a bold move from a courageous young woman. I thank her for sharing her story, because she is not alone. There are many young women with similar stories who may now feel more comfortable discussing the subject with someone close to them after hearing Ariel’s Story. Unfortunately, as the benefits of Breast Reduction become more well known, many insurance companies are removing Breast Reduction as a covered procedure. This a real injustice to women who are disabled by their disproportionately larger breasts.

Breast Reduction Consultations

If you or your daughter is considering Breast Reduction Surgery, there are several options. A focussed medical history is important to determine whether the breasts’ development has plateaued and to determine a goal size that is most appropriate. To schedule a private Breast Reduction Consultation call (925) 943-6353 today, or send your questions via the contact form on the San Francisco Plastic Surgery Blog.

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