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Breast Reduction for a 14 Year Old Girl

My daughter is 14yrs, she wears a DDD, she is 5'5", 150 lbs, she started her cycle when she was 10 yrs old. She has been asking for a breast reduction since she was about 12 and found out that it was possible. I told her we would discuss it when she was 16, but now she is really pressing to have procedure done. Her pediatrician said that she has pretty much finished growing,but I am reading that the breast can still grow into her 20s. What would you recommend?

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age 17 or under DDD cup 5 ft 4 in to 5 ft 7 in 150-169 lbs

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by sxxxy247 in Austin

Doctor Answers (14)
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Breast reduction at what age

If your daughter has very large breasts it is not unreasonable for her to undergo a breast reduction. Unfortunately, as you mention, the breasts may continue to grow after a reduction and it is unpredictable in whom. But, there would be less breast tissue that could grow. see video

Breast Reduction for Teenager?

Thank you for the question. I'm glad to hear that your daughter has your support; this this will be very helpful to her. It sounds like she is 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. As she thinks about breast reduction surgery make sure she does her homework... more

Breast reduction for a teenager?

During puberty, the mammary glands in the breasts respond to hormonal changes by enlarging. While breasts may continue to grow into a woman’s early twenties, most women are fully developed by age 16. If a teenager is a DD cup, she’s certainly not going to get any smaller. If she is 14 and has very large breasts, breast reduction may be an appropriate procedure. Therefore, if the size of her breasts is debilitating or painful, I would suggest going ahead with a reduction. She... more

VIDEO (click here) breast reduction

Breast reduction at 14 can be accomplished but the risk of the breast tissue continuing to grow with aging or medications persists. Discussing this with a qualified surgeon who can provide you with guidance in making this decision is essential. The surgery will likely be planned with the possibility of a second procedure in mind see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction and Teenagers

There is no right or wrong answer. In very difficult cases that involve teenagers or younger children there has to be considerable thought given to the risk versus benefit of the particular procedure. If your daughter is having an extremely difficult time psychologically as well as physically then there should be strong consideration given to proceeding with the operation if you get a consensus from 2-3 board certified plastic surgeons. Best of Luck. Dr. ES... more

Timing of Breast Reduction for a Teen

Hi there- There would not be an answer that would be correct for every family on your situation... It sounds like you understand the variables to balance... Surgery sooner MAY help her psychologically and indeed physically, socially, and emotionally- BUT if her breasts do grow more she may need a second operation later on. And this operation would be more risky than the first. It is also important to consider the fact that the average 14 year old probably does not understand the i more

Breast Reduction in Young Teen

You are right, breast growth can continue into the 20s. The psychologic improvement that reduction engenders, however, usually makes up for any risk of having to re-do the procedure. Additionally, we used to do this frequently at one of the country’s largest children’s hospitals and rarely reoperated on anyone.

Improved self-esteem with breast reduction at an early age

There is a condition termed gigantomastia. This is basically large disproportionate breasts. The condition usually occurs in a teenager. It is true that after a breast reduction the breasts could continue to grow. The improvement in your daughters level of self-esteem would be the driving force to proceed with surgery.

In unusual cases, breast reduction should be done in young girls.

Hi. From your description, it sounds like your daughter would get tremendous psychological benefit with a breast reduction. This may prevent distortion of her body image. Of course, her breasts may well continue to grow, and then she will need another procedure when she is 20. But in this case, that's probably a good trade off.

Breast reduction in teen years

I would say 14 is bit young to have a breast reduction. The breasts may still grow a bit, and you may want to wait a few more years.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction for Extreme Cases

Teenage girls can ask for cosmetic surgery for a multitude of reasons. Most of those reasons have less to do with a physical deformity than to peer pressure and self doubt. However, In the case of a post-pubertal girl with huge, painful breasts, then a breast reduction is not a cosmetic procedure but a medical procedure. Just think about those large breasts and what it can do to your daughter. Many chldren get teased and avoid situations that can lead to ridicule. That means that... more

Breast reduction in early teen years

I think its reasonable to offer a breast reduction to girls in this situation. The social impact of looking 'different' from other girls is substantial enough alone to warrant the procedure. I think she'll feel more comfortable and more like a healthy young woman after this transformative procedure. Your insurance company might feel differently about this issue, but that's another matter.

Breast Reduction for a 14 Year Old Girl

If she is having medical issues due to the large breasts thiere is no reason to not due the surgery. You should go over this with her peditrition and get a referal to a plastic surgeon.

Breast Reduction for 14 Year-old

It sounds as if your daughter is a reasonable candidate for a breast reduction at this time. I have performed reductions occasionally on 14 year-olds when there breast size has been stable for 12-18 months and they having significant symtoms. Ask your pediatrician for a referral to a plastic surgeon with whom you and your daughter can discuss the potential benefits/risks.