While breast augmentation continues to be a cosmetic procedure that's much sought after, interestingly, plastic surgeons are receiving queries for breast reduction surgeries. And the reason for this is more physiological than physical. Swati Patil (name changed to protect privacy), now 42, says that she first experienced severe and constant pain in the shoulders 15 years ago. Unable to fathom why, she visited her general physician who came up with a reason she thought bizarre. The heaviness of the breasts were taking a toll on her posture, the bra strap digging into her shoulder bone, causing discomfort, day in and out. Surgery seemed radical at the time, and Patil hoped the discomfort would subside. But when she moved to Mumbai four years ago, her problem was aggravated. "Due to the city's humid weather, I also began experiencing rashes."

Creams and painkillers brought temporary relief, but eventually she decided to consider breast reduction surgery. The procedure which was done this March, has relieved her of the pain, she says.
While the problem is one that women have grappled with for long, surgeons say that more women are choosing to consider surgical intervention. Dr Shraddha Deshpande, plastic surgeon at Wockhardt Hospital, says the rise in surgeries is equal to the rise in awareness about the possibilities that medicine offers. "Over the last five years, I've seen the number of patients grow from two cases a month to once a week. There was a certain hesitation and embarrassment women grappled with. They seem to be more confident now [of their bodies] and wish to seek solutions," she says. Other surgeons we spoke to agreed that they operate on women for breast reduction about 20 times a year.