Breast reduction surgery: who needs it, why, and how much

The saying “the bigger, the better” is not always true, especially for women’s breasts.

More and more celebrities are getting breast reduction surgery, with Erika Poturnak, the daughter of actress Ina Raymundo, most recently sharing it was the “best decision” of her life.

Although Erika mention why she pushed through with the surgery, many women can relate to how happy she must be with her breast reduction.

In an episode of Dapat Alam Mo! which aired on Tuesday, Crisalie Obtial said breast reduction surgery might be what she needs. Her 36D-sized breasts give her constant back and shoulder pains, as well as prevent her from getting quality sleep. "Pag nakatihaya ka, para talagang may nakadagan. Masikip sa dibdib," she said on the show.

That's not mentioning the inconvenience of being unable to buy proper clothing. "Puro panlalaki lang," she said, adding she can only buy correct-sized bras in ukay-ukay because department stores don't have her size.

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Jun Caparas said breast reduction surgery is a procedure done on women with Macromastia, a condition where a woman's breasts grow too big, they're no longer proportioned with the rest of the her body. 

Symptoms of Macromastia include "back pain, severe sa iba, shoulder pains, including yung pag-iimprint ng bra sa shoulder," Caparas said.

Still, the doctor warns an important side effect to breast reduction surgery: the possibility for reduced breast milk production.

“Pwede pa rin mag form ng milk ‘yun pero significantly reduced. There’s a chance na baka hindi ka na makapagpagatas sa baby mo,” he added.

According to Dapat Alam Mo!, breast reduction surgery ranges from P200,000 to P300,000. — LA, GMA News