Breast Reduction – Dr. Marc DuPéré

It’s not everyday that the shows I watch on television and my work as a cosmetic surgeon cross paths. Nip/Tuck ended last year, and the medical shows on these days are more centered around in-hospital relationships as opposed to the potential reconstructive surgery of their patients anatomy.

However, in a recent episode of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, Larry David’s good friend Richard Lewis learns that his burlesque dancing girlfriend looks to get breast reduction surgery. Larry and Richard are both shocked and appalled upon hearing her decision, which spurs from the natural discomfort she receives daily from her large breasts. Larry, Richard, and their friends earlier established that the breasts were the only reason for Richard dating her, to which he of course denies.

The episode, which was not solely focused around the women’s breasts but also divorce, ice cream, theft, a battered women’s shelter, racism, and where dogs poop, brought to light an issue to which I often come across in my line of work. Women with large breasts who feel discomfort or back pain and choose to do something about it to which they are then criticized or pressured against following through because of their male counterparts. It seems that most men don’t fully understand the biological effects of large breasts and therefore misinterpret any action taken by the women when they choose to make a healthy and reasonable decision.

Breast reduction is often done for women with large breasts who seek to eliminate chronic back, neck and shoulder pain as well as chronic rashes that may appear under the breasts. It can restrict activity, bring about poor posture and contribute to low self-esteem. Risks for breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty, are low, although most doctors recommend waiting until at least age 18 when the breasts are fully developed. The surgery could also pose potential pregnancy issues as well as complications in breast-feeding later on.

However, most women who go in for breast reduction surgery come out with relief for their neck, shoulders and upper back. Romanian tennis star Simona Halep underwent this surgery two years after winning the Junior French Open. Her reasons understandably being the discomfort they brought to her professional life. She spoke of how the weight troubled her, and aside from the reactions of a few unreasonable fans, Simona now lives without this pain and says she “would have gone for surgery even if I hadn’t been a sportswoman”. As a surgeon I commend Simona in her decision to go through with the surgery and express her free will.

It seems like there is a societal pressure placed upon women and their breasts. This is not new, but I believe it is changing. Heck, even as I watched the hit movie Superbad, I saw an interesting scene play out when the two high school male protagonists, Seth and Evan (played by Jonah hill and Michael Cera, respectively) chased after a peer to see how she looks after undergoing breast reduction surgery.

The two reactions were characteristic of the two schools of thought that seem to persist amongst males who learn of the surgery. One is the misunderstanding and shocked reaction, summed by Seth’s, “What? That’s like slapping God across the face for giving you a beautiful gift!” Then there is the reasonable Evan who understands the woman’s trouble, responding to Seth with the calming, “She had back problems, man.”

The cast of Curb and Seth’s character from Superbad represent an aged perspective that is slowly and happily fading from our culture. As more people understand the benefits to cosmetic procedures like breast reduction surgery, it will help to eliminate taboos and truly sexist feelings that deny women their right to choose what to do with there bodies. Richard Lewis, who plays a fictionalized version of himself, may not have loved to see his girlfriend wish away her large breasts but he was able to make light of it including a “going away” party the night before the surgery.

Breast reduction surgery is becoming more common as women learn of pro-active measures to deal with symptoms associated with large breasts. Despite negative representations of the procedure that persisted in the past, I believe we will have more necessary understanding in order for women to live pain-free. So don’t be surprised if you get invited to this new kind of “going away” party in the near future.

http://thefastertimes.com/tvrecapsandnews/2011/07/18/curb-your-enthusiasm-recap-season-8-episode-2-the-safe-house/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction-surgery/MY00778/DSECTION=results

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1281502/Teen-tennis-star-Simona-Halep-breast-reduction-surgery-boost-game.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/24/simona-halep-breast-reduction-surgery_n_883710.html

http://plasticsurgery101.blogspot.com/2011/04/addition-by-subtraction-pro-tennis.html