The weight of excess breast tissue can make it difficult to lead an active life. The emotional discomfort and self-consciousness associated with having large, pendulous breasts is as detrimental to many women as the physical problems.

The physical pain and discomfort you may experience may include:

• back, neck and shoulder pain caused by the weight of your breasts
• deep indentations from bra straps
• skin irritation beneath the breast crease
• breasts that hang low and have stretched skin
• nipples resting below the breast crease when your breasts are unsupported
• stretched skin causing enlarged areolas

How it's done: Breast reduction is a highly individualized procedure that removes excess breast fat, glandular tissue and skin to achieve a breast size in proportion with your body and relieve discomfort.

Results: A breast reduction can alleviate problems caused by overly large breasts, restore a shapelier breast contour and bring the body into a healthier proportion. Swelling should subside in 2-4 weeks. Breast shape may take 1-3 months to fully refine. Incision lines will continue to flatten and fade for up to 1 year.