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Age 19, 5 Foot 7, 170lb and 36 H Breasts. Would I Be a Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery?

I have slight back pain, indent marks from bras, and my large boobs make it very difficult to exercise. Not to mention it is nearly impossible to find bras. Insight would be much appreciated!

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18 Doctor Answers | Asked by Anele in CT

Doctor Answers (18)
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Good candidate for Breast Reduction

Based upon your height, weight, H cup bra and symptoms I would say that you are a good candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery. In my practice this is typically done as an out patient procedure and no drain tubes are required. I allow patients to shower the day after surgery. If you have a sedentary job you should be able to return to work by 10 to 14 days post op.

Breast Reduction Candidates

From your description you definitely would be a candidate for Breast Reduction. Good Candidates for Breast Reduction surgery are women who wish to have smaller breasts to achieve a more proportional appearance or to alleviate physical discomfort and ill-fitting bras and clothing - that matches your description. Breast reduction can correct symptoms from excessively large, heavy breasts that may cause the inability to do certain exercises, or create back, shoulder and neck pain,... more

Excellent candidate for breast reduction

Anele, you are pretty much the ideal candidate for breast reduction. Your breasts are overly large, you are experiencing functional problems relative to your breast size, and your weight is reasonable (just slightly overweight with a BMI of 26). This is probably the highest patient satisfaction procedure I do, and I believe you will be much more comfortable, you will look better, and you will a much easier time when you go clothes shopping. I suggest you have a consultation... more

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

Breast Reduction - Does It Make Sense for Me?

Hi Anele in CT, It's hard to say precisely in any one case but, in general, it sounds like you would get physical relief from the surgery (less back pain, less painful indents), overall improvement in your health (enhanced ability to exercise) and, no less, an improvement in your appearance in clothes. So that's the good news. The bad news is that it's still surgery. You should meet with one or more plastic surgeons to go over exactly what's involved in... more

Excellent Candidate?

While it certainly sounds like from your description, that you would be a good candidate, the only way to know for sure is to be examined by a trained surgeon. In our practice, the procedure is performed as an outpatient under intravenous sedation. The patients are seen the next day in our office, they are able to shower, and most are able to return to work within a week. The two hour operation will usually resolve back pain that is caused by overly large breasts. Most of our... more

Good Candidate for Breast Reduction Surgery

Because you're already experiencing back pain and you have a difficult time finding clothes to fit and playing sports (or exercising), it sounds like you're an ideal candidate for breast reduction. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in person to be certain you're a good candidate. Because breast reduction is used to relieve symptoms of back pain, neck pain, breast pain and other medical problems associated with having large breasts, it is considered... more

Breast reduction

It would seem entirely appropriate for you have breast reduction surgery. (Be aware, however, that if you gain weight later in life, your breasts will get larger as well.) I would find a local board certified plastic surgeon near you for more detailed information.

Candidate for breast reduction

GIven your body mass index weight and height, as well as your bra size and symptoms, you may very likely be a candidate for breast reduction surgery. Check with your board certified plastic surgeon (and make sure it is by the American Board of Plastic Surgery) about the details and risks and benefits of the operation, since it is not a minimally-invasive surgery.

Jeff Scott, MD

5 reviews

Everett Plastic Surgeon

Reasonableness of a breast reduction at 19 with a 36H bra

Given your symptoms already and the very large size of your breasts at a 36H, you would be an excellent candidate for a breast reduction. With time, the symptoms from your breasts will worsen including greater neck, back and shoulder pain with deeper indentation of your shoulders from your bra straps. Furthermore, by making it more difficult to exercise, women will gain weight which will cause further enlargement of the breasts. This then becomes a vicious cycle. Nearly all women who... more

Candidates for breast reduction

If you are experiencing symptoms of back/neck pain or the size of your breasts is preventing you from exercising, then a breast reduction may be a great surgery for you. Based on your height and weight you are not overweight therefore weight loss will not significantly change the size of your breasts. A breast reduction can change your lift in a very powerful way (less pain, more active lifestyle, ability to wear different clothes). A board certified plastic surgeon will be... more

Breast Reduction Would Be Helpful For Any Women with H-Cup Sized Breasts

Regardless of your height and weight, any women with H-cup size breasts is going to have musculoskeletal symptoms of back, shoulder and neck pain. Even without seeing you, it would not be unreasonable to assume that a breast reduction would be medically beneficial for you. Whether a breast reduction and some of the associated issues with it is right for you can only be determined by an actual examination by a plastic surgeon. Similarly whether it may be covered by your health insurance... more

Excellent Candidate

You are a good candidate for having a breast reduction. Breast reduction surgery is a wonderful way to help improve the problems of neck and back pain, shoulder strap indentations, and breast rashes. Most people return to work in 2 weeks and some go back even sooner for a sit-down job. You will need to wear a surgical bra for about a month. Before you know it, you will have perky and smaller breasts and you will be pain free! The first step is to see a... more

Breast Reduction Criteria

From your symptoms, you are certainly a candidate for breast reduction. Pain, indentation at the shoulders, irritation or infections in the skin underneath your breasts, and functional limitations (like running) are all clear indicators for breast reduction surgery. Good documentation of your symptoms, your height/weight ratio, any supporting medical records of your condition, and photos should be submitted if you wish to file with insurance- just make sure that the board certified... more

Breast reduction

When I see young patients with symptomatic large breast, yes they are candidates for breast reduction. We do, however, discuss several important factors. First, young patients are more likely to need subsequent (repeat) breast reductions than older patients. This is because of the unpredictable response of the breast to pregnancy and breast feeding as well as factors like weigh gain and further breast development. Second, patients who have had a breast reduction may have... more

Breast reduction insurance coverage.

Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction Article by George J. Beraka, MD Manhattan Plastic Surgeon 80% of breast reduction questions on RealSelf are about insurance coverage. Here are some helpful points. 1) Insurance companies try very hard not to pay for breast reduction, even though they should. Even small breast reductions relieve many symptoms such as back pain and shoulder pain, and even some types of headaches. 2) Very big reductions (like from an F cup to a C cup) will... more

Breast Reduction Candidate

At age 19, 5 Foot 7, 170lb and 36 H breasts, you may very well be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery, especially if your breasts have stopped growing. The best way to determine what to expect, and how the procedure is done, is to see a board certified plastic surgeon in your area for a consultation appointment. Links and video provided: see video

Joseph Mele, MD

4 reviews

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

www.DrMele.com

Breast reduction

At your height and weight, having "H" cup breasts are quite large and you very well may be a candidate for a breast reduction, but an exam would be necessary to determine that.