Age 15 - Can I Get a Breast Reduction?

asked 1 year ago by Tammy1504 in Mississauga, ON
Latest answer by Robert Stroup, Jr., MD, FACS
Question viewed 535 times
Tags: age 17 or under, 170-189 lbs, 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in, candidate, DD cup, teenager

I'm a 36DD, my height is 5'7, and my weight is currently 170p. I really enjoy sports but can't do much because of back and neck pains. It prevents me from being the physically active girl I used to be which also made me gain some weight. It lowers my self esteem and makes me really self conscious. I would be ready to go through the recovery process by exercising and I'm mentally ready. The only problem is they might still be growing. Also my menstrual cycle isn't regular. Please help, thank you.

10 answers to Age 15 - Can I Get a Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction in a teenager

It is entirely possible and appropriate to do a breast reduction in a teenager, generally when the breasts have stopped developing. It is a life changing procedure for many young ladies. Generally, patients should be at their ideal weight. Breast tissue may shrink if the patient loses weight, so make sure before having surgery that your weight is optimized.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Teenage breast reduction

This is a tricky situation. It sounds as if you have what was once called "virginal" hypertrophy, and it can be really troubling. The breasts grow very rapidly, and they are very uncomfortable. Certainly a breast reduction now would make you more comfortable, but, by your own admission, your breasts are probably still growing. So you could be back in the same boat a couple of years from now. You might say just make them smaller than you want to end up,... more

Robert Stroup, Jr., MD, FACS
Cleveland Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction for teenager

It sounds like you are dealing with juvenile breast hypertrophy along with the physical and psychosocial consequences of this diagnosis. In other words, the breasts are too large for the frame causing both physical and psychological distress. It sounds like you have done your homework and understand the potential risk and consultations associated with breast reduction surgery. You also understand that further surgery may be necessary in the future (for example if the breasts were... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Scarless (liposuction only) breast reduction

This is a very common story and all of us are quite reluctant to put major scars on the breast of a youngster. Consider the "Scarless" reduction which uses liposuction only with about a quarter inch scar in the fold under the breast and may get you through these next few difficult years.

Sherwood Baxt, MD
New Jersey Plastic Surgeon

Age 15 for a breast reduction.

As long as your growth spurt is completed and your breasts have ceased growing, it is reasonable to consider breast reduction with the caveat that it may be difficult to nurse should you decide to do this at a later date. You should discuss this with your pediatrician

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It is possible but how bad are your symptoms

You can get a breast reduction at 15. I would not recommend it, however, unless you have significant symptoms. If you have it at 15, you may need a revision in the future because you may continue to have breast enlargement.

Jack Peterson, MD
Topeka Plastic Surgeon

Age 15 - Can I Get a Breast Reduction

I recommend you first see a GYN to regulate your menses than wait 3 months to see if you are still enlarging. Than after that you can have a reduction with parental approval. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski 305 598 0091

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction in 15 Year-old

Some 15 year-olds are good candidates for breast reduction. With your irregular periods and the fact that your breasts are still growing, you might need to be evaluated by a gynecologist or endocrinologist. I am not totally familiar with requirements of the Ontario Health Service for coverage, I do know that the Canadian requirements in general are much less stringent than in the US.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Yes

The danger of doing a breast reduction at your age is that it could need to be repeated later. Some ladies have a later growth of the breasts in spite of stable shoe size and height. When you weigh the physical and psychological problems of large breasts against the small possibility of a necessary repeat surgery, it's a no-brainer. Good luck.

Donald Kress, MD
Frederick Plastic Surgeon

Breast reduction and age

At 15 if you are at full adult height and are no longer growing and truly have symptomatic macromastia from having large breasts, you can undergo a breast reduction. Of course you need parental consent.