Even Hollywood celebrities such as Loni Anderson, Star Jones, Roseanne Barr, Kim Fields and Jeanne Garafalo have admitted to having the surgery, and as such, de-stigmatizing the operation even more.

'The word is out: there are accessible solutions to all sorts of physical problems. Plastic surgery is no longer just for rich celebrities. It's no longer hush-hush, don't tell. Plastic surgery is becoming a life-improving option for everyday people,' says Dr. Casas. That is especially true for people that live with debilitating emotional and physical in everyday that over-large breasts can cause.

More shapely, less scars

From the time of the first published report of breast reduction surgery (by a Dr. Thorek in 1902) until recently, the focus of breast reduction was simply to remove excess weight and the associated pain. Ugly scars were an unfortunate, but accepted, result of the otherwise successful procedure.

Since Dr. Thorek's crude job (he amputated the breast and sewed it back together), procedures improved throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s but not by much. And so most ob/gyns and internists hesitated to refer patients for breast reduction surgery because of the dramatic scars that resulted from the operation.

'I went into practice in 1990 and had zero referrals from physicians my first few years,' says Dr. Casas. 'Because of the extensive scarring, doctors just didn't bother recommending the procedure to their patients.'

It wasn't until the 1980s that plastic surgeons began paying attention to improving breast shape and reducing scars.

'In the last 15 years, plastic surgeons have really focused on improving breast shape and scars. So now, you can have a functional operation that relieves physical symptoms and the results can be beautiful, too.'

View before & after photographs of breast reduction procedures.

<< previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 next >>

Some of the links that appear in this article may have been sponsored by a third-party for commercial purposes.

This information is not to substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.