Dispelling Misconceptions: The Physiology of Large Breasts and Solutions through Breast Lift & Reduction
In a world where the grass always seems greener on the other side, it’s no surprise that many women long for what they don’t have. The desire for sleek, straight hair when yours is curly, a few extra inches of height when you’re short and petite, and women with small breasts wishing they had large breasts, or vice versa.
While many associate larger breasts with femininity and sensuality, those yearning for them may be unaware of the potential challenges and concerns accompanying large breasts. At Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery, we deeply understand these complexities garnered through years of experience and exceptional care.
With nearly half of women wanting larger breasts, we feel it’s essential to provide you with the necessary facts before moving forward — from dispelling misconceptions to potential surgical solutions for large breasts and the importance of surgical expertise.
Our mission for today’s article is to do just that: arm you with the right knowledge to make informed decisions about breast size changes and support you on your journey..
Causes of Large Breasts
Plenty of women with large breasts are perfectly content and comfortable with their bodies. However, in this article’s context, we’re referring to breasts that are significantly larger in proportion to your frame, causing physical discomfort and even emotional distress.
So, what causes uncomfortably large breasts? It could result from several factors, such as:
Genetics
Larger than average breasts may be hereditary. Some genetic factors contributing to large breasts are:
- Family history
- Body type
- Breast density
- Developmental factors
- Hormonal regulation
As for which hormones are to blame…
Hormones
This patient wanted to improve her breasts’ size, weight, and position using her own breast tissue. She did not want implants. Dr. Cat meticulously shaped the breasts to create a full and round-shaped breasts with as much upper pole fullness and cleavage as possible.
Have your hormones gone haywire lately? Here are some hormonal causes of large breasts:
- Estrogen: Higher estrogen levels (during puberty, for instance) stimulate breast tissue growth, leading to larger breasts.
- Progesterone: Progesterone works with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare breasts for a potential pregnancy. Increased levels can contribute to breast enlargement.
- Growth hormones: Growth hormones, like the human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), can influence breast size.
Pregnancy
Here’s a look at both pregnancy and breastfeeding’s impact on breast size:
- Hormonal changes: Pregnancy triggers incredible hormonal shifts (like elevated estrogen and progesterone) that can cause breasts to enlarge as they prepare for milk production and breastfeeding.
- Increased blood flow: Increased blood flow to the breasts during pregnancy can result in swelling and engorgement, further contributing to a temporary increase in breast size.
- Milk production: Once your milk comes in, your breasts’ mammary glands enlarge, causing breast tissue to remain swollen and larger than their pre-pregnancy size.
- Post-breastfeeding changes: Once you discontinue breastfeeding, your breasts continue changing. Often, they return to their pre-pregnancy size with a slight decrease in volume. In contrast, other women may experience a permanent increase in breast size.
Weight Fluctuations
Weight fluctuations can impact breast size, especially in those with large breasts.
When individuals gain weight, they may experience an increase in the overall size of their bodies, including their breasts. Since breasts contain fatty tissue, weight gain can lead to an accumulation of fat in the area, causing them to enlarge.
Having heavy and large breasts her whole life, this patient decided she was ready to improve her comfort and confidence. After a life-changing breast reduction with Dr. Cat, this patient now has better symmetry, perfect round nipples, and a thin and barely invisible incision.
Drugs
Some medications or recreational drugs (like anabolic steroids or cannabis) can cause large breasts or puffy nipples in both men and women.
Other meds that can trigger breast enlargement include:
- Hormonal medications: like estrogen or testosterone therapy
- Antipsychotic drugs: such as risperidone or olanzapine
- Antiandrogens: used to block the effects of male hormones
- Prostate medications: such as finasteride or dutasteride
- Certain antidepressants: for instance, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants
Medical Conditions
There are underlying medical conditions leading to large breasts, such as:
- Gynecomastia: a rare condition that causes excessive breast tissue growth in both men and women.
- Extreme obesity: excess body weight and obesity can accumulate fat in the breast area, resulting in uncomfortably large breasts.
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): a hormonal disorder with various symptoms, including hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, and breast growth.
- Tumors or growths: sometimes benign or malignant tumors or growths in the breast tissue can also cause breast enlargement.
Despite these common causes of larger breasts, there are a few myths or stereotypes about larger breasts. Let’s address some of these misunderstandings and cut straight through the noise.
Misconceptions about Large Breasts
Hollywood has long romanticized the allure of large breasts, perpetuating certain misconceptions that warrant dispelling. It’s important to recognize that all body types are equally beautiful and worthy of admiration.
However, in our commitment to delivering accurate information, we want to debunk these myths and perpetuate realistic expectations of what it means to have larger breasts.
Let’s jump right in…
Myth 1: Large breasts produce more milk after pregnancy
Reality: Ultimately, the breastfeeding relationship plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining adequate milk production, not your breast size.
This patient dealt with severe back and shoulder pain due to the size, weight, and position of her breasts. Dr. Cat meticulously reduced the size of her breasts and areolas, lifted them, and created a better overall shape. She has incredible symmetric results after her Breast Reduction transformation with Dr. Cat.
Myth 2: Large breasts are a sign of good health
Reality: While breast size varies from person to person, large breasts don’t inherently indicate good or poor health.
Myth 3: Large breasts are solely a result of weight gain
Reality: Weight gain and large breasts can be related, but it’s not the determining factor. People with similar body weights can have entirely different breast sizes and shapes.
Myth 4: Large breasts don’t cause physical discomfort
Reality: Contrary to popular belief, large breasts can be physically uncomfortable. The excess weight can lead to back, neck, or shoulder pain, skin irritation, or bra strap grooving.
After multiple pregnancies, this young-mom was experiencing discomfort due to breast size. Meticulous breast reduction and breast lift by breast specialist, Dr. Cat Begovic.
That said, not everyone with larger breasts experiences physical discomfort.
Myth 5: Large breasts are universally attractive and desirable
Reality: Beauty standards aren’t one-size-fits-all. While large breasts may be celebrated in some contexts, attraction comes in all shapes and sizes. We believe each person’s body is unique and should be embraced and appreciated for its beautiful individuality.
On that note, we’ve learned that disproportionately large breasts often come with their own set of challenges, both physical and emotional. If you’ve been struggling with discomfort, self-consciousness, or limitations because of your breast size, it’s important to know you have a range of solutions available.
Surgical Solutions for Large Breasts
Breast augmentation with implants or fat transfer is commonly talked about. Surgeries for reducing breast size, however? Not so much.
The truth is that breast reduction surgeries are just as significant as augmentations.
Whether you want to enhance your appearance or alleviate physical discomfort, both paths lead to empowering transformations that uplift your well-being.
Due to the physical issues that large breasts can create, the goal of these procedures is to improve your quality of life just as much as your confidence.
With that in mind, let’s discuss your surgical solutions for large breasts.
1: Breast Lift
Breast lift surgery (or mastopexy) is a procedure for reshaping large or sagging breasts. It aims at restoring a more youthful and perky breast contour.
Think of it as your built-in push-up bra.
If Dr. Cat feels too much volume will be lost, she may suggest a breast augmentation be combined with the breast lift to restore fullness and improve overall results.
Procedure
Under general anesthesia and local numbing, Dr. Cat will either make a lollipop-shaped incision around the areola to the breast fold or an anchor-shaped incision around the areola down and into the breast fold.
She then tactfully removes excess skin around the breast to lift and contour.
Once done, she carefully closes the incision to keep scarring as minimal as possible.
Recovery
This patient experienced significant asymmetry of her breasts before surgery, and she wanted to make them even and lift them without using implants. Incredible mastopexy before and after result by breast specialist, Dr. Cat Begovic.
Thanks to Dr. Cat’s exclusive technique, breast lift recovery is fairly quick and painless.
Here’s what you can expect:
- You’ll be required to wear a specialized, custom-fit bra and be restricted to minimal activity for the first two weeks.
- Dr. Cat will introduce scar therapy after two weeks.
- Tightness, soreness, or swelling is expected within the first month.
- After two weeks, you can introduce moderate exercise (like walking) and more vigorous exercise (like running) after a month.
- In four to six months, you’re fully healed.
Breast Lift Benefits
Think breast lift surgery may be right for you? Here are some benefits worth considering:
- Restored breast shape and position
- Improved breast symmetry
- Increased confidence
- Clothing fits better
- Alleviate physical discomforts
- Long-lasting results
Breast Lift Drawbacks
Some potential factors that you’ll want to consider before proceeding include:
- Visible scarring
- Changes in nipple sensation
- Breastfeeding challenges
- Emotional adjustment
- Complications (infection, poor wound healing, bleeding, etc.)
At times, Dr. Cat will perform this procedure with breast reduction surgery.
2. Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery (or reduction mammoplasty) is a transformative procedure that beautifully sculpts and reshapes large breasts, giving you the freedom to embrace a more proportionate and harmonious silhouette.
Procedure
Like breast lift surgery, Dr. Cat performs breast reduction using general anesthesia and local numbing.
She begins with an anchor-shaped incision around the areola, extending below the nipple and breast fold. She then removes excess fat and breast to make them smaller and firmer.
This young patient has not had children yet, but her breast size and weight were extremely uncomfortable and made everyday activities like getting dressed and exercising difficult. Life-changing mastopexy results by Dr. Cat.
Together with a breast lift, Dr. Cat artfully reshapes and contours the breasts to ensure they are naturally symmetric.
She then closes the incision precisely for minimal scarring.
Recovery
Like breast lift surgery, Dr. Cat’s surgical approach means minimal pain and a quick recovery.
Here’s what that’ll look like:
- You’ll have drains in for about a week.
- You’ll wear a custom-fit compression bra and minimize arm movement for the first two weeks.
- After two weeks, you can participate in moderate exercise (like walking) with vigorous exercise (like running) after four weeks.
- There may be some soreness and swelling for the first month, but most patients feel back to normal after just one week.
- You’ll be fully healed in four to six months.
Breast Reduction Advantages
The biggest perks to breast reduction surgery are:
- Quick recovery
- Alleviation of physical discomfort
- Better posture
- Enhanced physical activity
- More clothing options
- Increased confidence and quality of life
- Long-lasting results
Breast Reduction Disadvantages
Some potential downsides of breast reduction include:
- Visible scarring
- Loss of nipple sensation
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- Emotional adjustment
- Surgical complications
One way to bypass these drawbacks? Choose a trusted surgeon who will navigate your journey with expertise and care.
Dr. Cat’s Specialized Approach
Breast reduction and breast lift specialist, Dr. Cat Beogivic is highly sought out for her ability to artistically shape the breasts to create a symmetric, round, perky shape without the use of implants.
When it comes to surgical solutions for large breasts, your surgeon’s expertise and knowledge mean everything to achieve your desired results.
For example, Dr. Cat approaches each patient for breast lift and reduction uniquely. Her meticulous process ensures you’re well informed and comfortable, while tailoring a customized surgical strategy for your body type and goals.
She goes above and beyond with care and precision to create precise symmetry, perfectly rounded nipples, and nearly-invisible incisions. The result? A beautiful, natural appearance and unparalleled surgical experience.
At Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery, your comfort comes above all else. From the moment you step through our doors, we prioritize your relaxation, peace of mind, and well-being. We deeply appreciate the trust you’ve placed in us and consider it our privilege to embark on this transformative journey with you.
Reshape Your Story with Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery
At Dr. Cat Plastic Surgery, we strongly advocate for body positivity and loving yourself as you are. But we also know your appearance and comfort are intimately connected to your confidence.
Large breasts, while desired by many, can often come with caveats you didn’t ask for — discomfort, inconvenience, and worst, low self-esteem.
The emotional toll these challenges bring can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to guide you toward a solution that brings you relief, confidence, and a renewed sense of self-confidence.
Ready to redefine your curves? Book a consultation with Dr. Cat today!
