We’ve entered an era where comfort and functionality reign supreme. From slicked-back buns to athleisure-inspired office wear and sneakers doubling as formal attire, practicality has become the norm. The new mantra is clear: feel good first, look great second. This evolving mindset is contributing to a surge in breast reduction surgeries, a procedure that combines cosmetic and physical benefits. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 71,000 breast reductions were performed in 2022—a staggering 54 percent increase from 2019.
“They might be even more common than those stats show, but it’s the same story every single time: neck pain, back pain, shoulder grooving, not being able to find bras that fit, can’t exercise,” says Raleigh, NC plastic surgeon Duncan Hughes, MD. “Patients typically, say ‘I can’t lose weight because I can’t exercise because my breasts are too big. My back hurts. It’s almost a quality-of-life procedure more than a cosmetic one.”
Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Mark Jewell, MD echoes the sentiment: “Back pain from large breasts is a woman’s health issue that affects quality of life. The reduction mammaplasty operation is extremely effective in addressing this problem while producing great outcomes for patients.”
Featured Experts
- Dr. Duncan Huges is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Raleigh, NC
- Dr. Mark Jewell is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Eugene, OR
- Dr. Alireza Najafian is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Eugene, OR
- Dr. Emily Hu is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Tualatin, OR
The Physical Toll of Macromastia
A growing body of research highlights how disproportionately large breasts, or macromastia, can be the hidden culprit behind chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. A recent study in The Spine Journal reveals that nearly 85 percent of patients experienced a dramatic reduction in back pain following breast reduction surgery.
“In many occasions, these patients are treated for back pain by spine surgeons without considering the root cause of the problem, which is the unnatural forces imposed by large breasts,” says Eugene, OR plastic surgeon Alireza Najafian, MD, one of the study’s authors. “Breast reduction can help with these issues, especially if done early on before the changes and injuries to the spine are irreversible. By reducing the weight of the breasts on the back, neck and shoulders, we can help women have better posture.”
A Surgery for Every Age
The benefits of breast reduction aren’t limited to a specific demographic. Surgeons nationwide are seeing a growing number of younger women seeking the procedure. “We’re seeing more women in their late teens to early twenties coming in,” says Tualatin, OR plastic surgeon Emily Hu, MD. “They’re large and full-breasted, so they’re like Double D, Triple D, G, H and very affected by this. They are very symptomatic and they’re very self-conscious. It affects their self-esteem.”
The evolving approach to surgery also reflects a desire for balance and functionality. “There’s been a shift toward smaller, more functional sizes,” says Dr. Hughes. “Many women are opting for B or C cups to fit bralettes and go braless more comfortably.”
Emotional Freedom
While the physical relief is undeniable, the emotional and psychological transformations are equally powerful. For many women, large breasts have long been a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness. However, the comfort-first era is here to stay, promoting the idea that feeling good is the ultimate goal—and looking great naturally follows. “One of my patients told me she hated hugging people because her breasts made her feel awkward,” recalls Dr. Hu. “After surgery, she was ecstatic—hugging everyone and radiating confidence.”
In fact, the overwhelming majority of patients are happy with their results. According to BREAST-Q, a widely used survey that measures how breast surgery impacts a patient’s quality of life and satisfaction, 95% of women report long-term happiness after breast reduction. “That’s how all my reduction patients are,” adds Dr. Hu. “They’re so happy.”
