In the ever-evolving world of sports, athletes constantly look for ways to stay ahead of their competition. Whether spending more hours in the gym training or hiring nutrition experts to help them build a diet according to their physique, innovations in sports have made it possible for athletes to explore options that can help them perform at their highest level.
However, some female athletes face an additional obstacle that prevents them from participating in sports: a discomfort that is strongly related to their breast size. Breast size can affect how women of all ages play sports or engage in physical activity. It also has an impact on whether they choose to play sports at all.
This issue often presents a problem such as discomfort and excess weight for female athletes that hinder them from performing at the top of their game. Due to this, women opt for breast reduction surgery during their off-season to give themselves adequate time for recovery and increase their performance in time for the beginning of the training season.
How Large Breasts Can Negatively Affect Athletes
While some women who are longing to enhance the appearance of their breasts consider breast augmentation and implants, women who are born with large breasts seek the opposite in the form of breast reduction surgery.
More than its aesthetic benefits, many women explore their breast reduction options as a means to manage the various problems they endure on a daily basis, such as chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, skeletal disorders, and even emotional problems such as constant anxiety that can eventually lead to low self-esteem.
For women with overly large breasts, the excess weight forces their bodies to compensate. Their shoulders roll forward, putting strain on the upper back and cervical spine muscles. For female athletes, this affects their exercise routine. They feel uncomfortable, and in pain, which prevents them from doing their best, because being a top athlete depends a lot on the strength and skills they need to build up in the period leading up to a competition.
When to Get Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin to reduce and reshape the breasts. This procedure can help women who are currently experiencing:
- Chronic discomfort (Back pain, neck pain, and other discomforts)
- Rashes under the breasts that are caused by the accumulation of moisture
- Difficulty in shopping for clothes that fit
- Difficulty in performing physical activities
- Lack of self-confidence
While women often wear sports bras to support the weight of their breasts during extensive training, the support that sports bras provide is insufficient and doesn’t pose as a viable long-term solution in dealing with the problems that come with large breasts.
How Much Time Off Do I Need After Breast Reduction?
Athletes who undergo breast reduction surgery can return to their normal training regimen sooner than with other breast surgeries because the breasts are lighter and there is less tension on the incisions after surgery. Minimally invasive techniques allow patients to recover more quickly and enjoy their more proportional bodies.
However, it is highly advisable to refrain from intense exercise until 12 weeks after surgery to allow the wounds to heal and avoid complications that require revision surgery.
Schedule Your Breast Reduction Consultation Today
Breast reduction is often perceived as merely an aesthetic procedure, but it offers women numerous functional benefits. Breast reduction provides long-lasting relief to women who suffer from constant discomfort that prevents them from comfortably going about their daily activities. Thanks to the openness and first-hand testimonials of today’s female athletes, more and more women are considering breast reduction surgery as a solution to becoming the best version of themselves.
Contact Memorial Plastic Surgery today and experience quality care in the hands of certified experts who have performed hundreds of life-changing surgeries. Learn about your treatment options now by calling 713-633-4411 and scheduling a first consultation today.
