These women are doing this operation due to the pain induced by having large breasts. Dr. Robert T. Grant, who is the chief of plastic surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, says,

The pain that women with large breasts can have has been compared to when someone gets metastasized cancer of the spine. Besides the pain, there is restriction of activities. You can imagine if you tied two five-pound weights around your neck and tried to do things, how uncomfortable that would be.

Dr. Alain Polynice, who wrote “Your Complete Guide to Breast Reduction” (Addicus Books) and practices in Manhattan and Albany, say that aside from pain that one could experience in the upper back and shoulders, macromastia (large breasts) can also intervene with some physical activities. He adds,

Usually a patient is very satisfied right after the surgery because the weight and the pain are gone right away. I’ve removed up to four pounds or more per side, which is like having an eight-pound baby strapped around your neck.

Up to about a couple of years ago, a scar shaped like an anchor that is relatively obvious under clothing was left by a surgical incision from a breast reduction procedure. However, newer methods lead to smaller incisions and less evident scars.
Medical director Dr. Allen Rosen, of the Plastic Surgery Group located in Montclair, N.J., and also an American Society of Plastic Surgeons spokesperson, says, “I call it a lollipop lift.” He also states, “With my technique, there is a much more limited scar and it limits the scarring in the fold of the breast, which is usually the most uncomfortable. By the third day, most women are up and around and doing most of their activities.”

Dr. Grant also mentions that the procedure usually lasts about two hours. It also has a recuperation period of four weeks.
There are times that breast reduction procedures may not be covered by insurance policies. Dr. William Samson, who is the associate chief of plastic surgery at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, says that if that is the case, women still have a few other options. He states,

They can wear special bras that have a wide strap since narrow straps can cause grooving in the shoulders. Sports bras keep the breast close to the chest and some women like to wear two bras for extra support. Other than that, women can take analgesics for pain management and treat rashes with topical ointment.

Dr. Rosen adds that a breast reduction procedure is “more common than you think.” He also says,

Many patients have had symptoms for years, and it becomes very difficult for them to do everyday tasks. A lot more women suffer from macromastia than actually seek treatment.