Smaller is better, women say

Most New Zealand women who have breast reductions experience a better quality of life, a new study says.

Christchurch plastic surgeon Rachel Smith released her survey of 388 women at a meeting of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Australia this week.

It found 85 per cent of the women felt their lives had been improved by the reduction and 10 per cent said they should have had the operation sooner.

The women said they experienced improvement in their physical and mental well-being.

Dr Smith said reductions could alleviate back, shoulder and neck pain and prevent infections.

"There are also a multitude of social and psychological reasons why many women choose to have the procedure .

"Many of the patients struggle to live a normal life because of the social embarrassment they experience."

The women surveyed were aged from 15 to 74.

- NZPA