Can having large breasts cause a partial shoulder separation?

Question

I have very large breasts, size 32 J, and I have significant pain in my right shoulder that feels like my arm is slowly being pulled off. I do not play sports and have no recent falls or injuries. I have deep intentions in both my shoulders from my bra straps digging into them due to the weight of my breasts. Please help?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Disproportionately large breasts can cause a lot of problems; whether or not your shoulder separations  is caused by the large breasts cannot be determined online. Best to be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in this area for proper assessment and advice. Based on description, you sound like you may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery at some point. Generally speaking, the “ideal” patient for breast reduction surgery is one who presents with relatively large breasts in proportion to the remainder of her torso.  These patients often present with neck, back, shoulder discomfort, bra strap grooving, postural changes, and occasionally with rashes/infections. This operation tends to be one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.
  Your next step may be in-person consultation with well experienced board certified plastic surgeons.  Ask to see lots of examples of their work and make sure you feel comfortable with the quality and consistency of the work performed. During these consultations, you may be able to see other patients ( similar to yourself) who have undergone breast reduction surgery.
Ultimately,  you will need to decide whether the “pros” ( benefits) of breast reduction surgery outweigh the potential “cons” ( potential risk/complications).  You may find the attached link helpful to you as you educate yourself about the pros/cons of the breast reduction procedure.
Then, it will be important that you communicate your goals clearly with your plastic surgeon and make sure that you have realistic expectations prior to proceeding with any type of surgery. In regards to breast size desired, also communicate carefully. In my practice the use of goal pictures are helpful in this regard; a discussion of cup size can be confusing and imprecise.   Therefore, I would not suggest that you communicate your goals and/or base your satisfaction with the outcome of surgery on achieving a specific cup size.
 I also find that the use of pictures is more helpful than the words “natural” or "proportionate” etc., which can mean different things to different people.
Many of my patients choose to have enough breast tissue removed to help alleviate symptoms while retaining enough breast tissue to remain proportionate to the remainder of  bare torso.
  I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Jon Ver Halen, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. I am sorry for your recent difficulties... it sounds as though you seriously need a breast reduction! Preoperative visualization and surgical simulation with the Crisalix system may help with your decision. Any treatment plan should be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you and your surgeon.    Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation in person with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon.  Good luck!

Best,
  
Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Can having large breasts cause a partial shoulder separation?

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Can having large breasts cause a partial shoulder separation?

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