When Less is More by Elvira Maricic For many women, oversized breasts are a load they'd rather not bear print article      send to a friend

According to Alison Masterson, when it comes to breast size, one woman's blessing can be another woman's curse. While many would say that with a 36-D chest measurement the petite 38-year-old bank employee has been amply blessed, she doesn't see it that way. Masterson (not her real name) has recently consulted with a plastic surgeon about having breast reduction surgery. Studies show the level of pain suffered by women with large and heavy breasts can be more severe than that suffered by patients with major health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, or back pain

Technically known as reduction mammaplasty, breast reduction surgery removes fat, glandular tissue, and overlying skin from the breasts, making them smaller and more proportionate with the rest of the body. The surgery takes about three hours, and the price can range between $3,500 and $5,000

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