Reduction surgery relieves complaints.

• Position: Breast reduction surgery

A survey of 400 women who have had breast reduction surgery shows that an overwhelming majority are satisfied with their results, would have the procedure again, and would encourage others to do the same. The study sought to determine if reduction mammoplasty is the solution to the physical complaints that are most commonly voiced by women before such an operation. Those surveyed had bilateral (both breasts) reductions and were an average of 38 years old at the time of surgery. The average length of follow-up was 4.1 years.

"Relief of symptoms was the most common reason women gave for having surgery," notes Steven Ringler, associate director of the plastic surgery residency program at the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Area Medical Education Center, who conducted the study with two other plastic surgeons. "Before having the surgery, women often complain about shoulder grooving from their bra straps and a variety of muscular pains from carrying around the extra weight. The condition can affect their posture and cause back and neck pain that is not alleviated by physical therapy." Reduction offers tremendous relief since it is not uncommon to lose more than two pounds of tissue from each breast during surgery. Seventy-two percent of the women surveyed...