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Teen Breast Reduction

I am 14 years old but my breasts have given me a lot of problems: back pain, shoulder pain, extremely bad posture etc. My breasts already sag like about 3 inches and I have been talking to my mom, and I'd really like to get a Breast reduction. I was wondering if I'm qualified, what are some of the downsides, method to be used, how much scarring could I expect, and how long is the healing time approximately in my case. Thank you.

Asked 31 months ago by becky in a place in B.C.

Tags:

age 17 or under teenager

Teens and Breast Reduction

This first step was discussing your concern with your parents. Together you should seek the advice of an ASPS board certified plastic surgeon in your area. Upon examination and consultation your surgeon will be able to discuss the benefits and the risks with you and your parents so that you will be educated enough to make an informed decision about when and if this is the right procedure for you. I have a few patients under the age of 18 who greatly benefited from a breast reduction... more

Christine Sullivan, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Breast Reduction Can Help, Even at a Young Age

While it is true that you may continue to grow, you may be well served with a breast reduction, sooner rather than later. If you are having pain and your size is affecting you socially, you may be a candidate for breast reduction surgery. Discuss with your parents and consult an expert.

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Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Juvenile Breast hypertrophy

I would disagree with most of the answers given. It you are having back and shoulder pain already, I would look in your local area for a plastic surgeon willing to undertake your problem. The biggest problem you face is that Juvenile hypertrophy of has a tendency to continue to grow and you may have to repeat the surgery in a few years. I encourage to seek advice from a skilled surgeon. You are 13 and this condition can persist into your mid twenties.... more

Gary H. Manchester, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

The breasts may continue to grow

Although it can be performed for girls at your age, the real question is that you may require an additional operation at a later date to correct further growth or sagging. If you are considerably in pain and discomfort, you may benefit from the operation. However, it is very likely your breasts will continue to grow. Think seriously about the operation.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

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 you are 14 and have very large breasts, breast reduction may be an appropriate procedure. Therefore, if the size of your breasts is debilitating or painful, I would suggest going ahead with a reduction. You... more

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Juvenile Breast Reduction

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

ASAPS ASPS

14 years old, too young

Breast hypertrophy at 14 is not uncommon, however, surgery is usually deferred until the woman aciheves full physical growth, at least 16. however, if the symptoms warrant the procedure i might consider it. scarring, nipple loss, numbness are just some of the potential problems. consider a consultation with your parents consent and participation.

Rafael C. Cabrera, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Teen breast reduction surgery

Breast reduction surgery is not something to jump into blindly. There will be scars that you will have for the rest of your life. These will definitely fade with time and be less noticeable. You may have issues with breastfeeding. I would greatly suggest discussing these issues with your mother and really deciding if you are willing to sacrifice scars for the neck and shoulder pain. I usually tell my patients to wait until age 18, when insurance may pay for this... more

Jennifer Buck, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast reduction is performed on teenagers but with the advise and consent of parents.

Younger patients with breast that disrupt their lives seek breast reduction. Breast reduction is a functional operation although everyone wants an excellent aesthetic result as well. In a teenager, the parents will be part of the decision process and indeed will be taking responsiblity for the ultimate decision to proceed.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

A Good Idea

Sounds like you are having lots of problems with your large breasts which are only going to become worse with time. Consult with a plastic surgeon to gain insight into what surgery has to offer you and what are the downsides to the procedure.

George Sanders, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast reduction in teens and young age

I agree with Dr. Manchester. You may have benign juvenile breast hypertrophy, which is an indication for breast reduction at a young age. I would speak to a qualified surgeon.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction for Teens

I am sorry for your pain. You may want to wait a few years as your breast may continue to grow for a few more years.

Kris M. Reddy, MD

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS

Breast reduction for young patients

Patients today have many great options in breast reduction surgery. Young patients should understand that their breasts will continue to grow and change at least until their early 20s. For this reason and to make sure that the patient understands the seriousness of the surgery, it is not recommended to perform a breast reduction surgery before the age of 18. Your best bet is to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in breast reduction and will be... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Check with your surgeon and parents!

HI, Thank you for your question. I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with this at such a young age. Breast reduction could be a possibility. However, you definitely want to be as educated as possible and understand the risks of having this surgery at such a young age. Generally, we prefer patients to be at least 16 or at an age where growing is done or stable. It is important to weigh your options. While a reduction may get rid of some of your medical and emotional problems, you are... more

Sam Speron, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

You do not need a lot of scars for Breast Reduction

Depending on the position of your nipples relative to your breast, and the quality of your skin, scarring can be minimized. You do not need, under any way shape or form the "upside down T" or "anchor scar", as there are plenty of alternatives available. If your breasts hang really low and you have a lot of skin, you could have a "lollipop scar", if the nipple is not so low, you may get along with a "donut" scar just around the areola. Having said all... more

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

You need to wait until your breasts have not grown for 2 years.

Hi! In general, i don't recommend elective breast reduction for girls under 18. You need to grow physically and psychologically. But there are exceptions. In Manhattan, we have operated on a few young girls whose breasts had not grown for 2 years, and who had a lot of symptoms.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Teen breast reduction

Having a breast reduction as a teenager is a tough decision. You want to make sure that your breasts are not growing anymore. If they are very large you may be a candidate but I would defer it if you are still growing. Remember that a reduction comes with permanent scars on your breasts. The method really depends upon your size, shape, and skin elasticity. Recovery is about 2 weeks.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Teen breast reduction takes careful thought

Teen breast reduction is safe and can be very appropriate for some individuals. This question comes up from time to time and you can find an additional response on my profile. There are two issues to consider when considering breast reduction. The first is physical maturity. The breast will continue to develop into your early twenties, though growth will slow significantly by age 18. It is best of course to complete breast reduction when the size is stable and no longer increasing. Unless... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD

Des Plaines Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

An operation not taken lightly

There are a few unfortunate teenagers whose breast development is so great that they have symptoms like yours. Not only is it a psychological problem ,being teased at school, but also functional, limiting athletic activities, as well as chronic neck and shoulder pain. I have performed about 20 breast reductions over the last 25 years, in girls younger than 19. I go over the procedure in detail with the patient and their parents. It is a trade-off procedure, in that the patient may lose... more

Joseph M. Perlman, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Wait until it looks like your development has slowed

Although we have operated on one 14 year-old, we usually wait until about age 16 when breast development has slowed. That way size and symptoms can be better evaluated. You don't want to have an operation at 15 and find out you need a repeat reduction at 18!. The 14 year-old we operated on had EEE breasts and they were so heavy she would lose her balance and trip. We have done many teenagers, usually between ages 16 and 19. There is a potential for inability to breast feed, but we... more

Francisco Canales, MD

Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Your age is a relative guide

Your height, weight and breast size should be stable for 3 years. You need to have an evaluation by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon - sagging and breast hypertrophy are different. If your breasts are only saggy, I would wait until you are fully mature and over 18. For large over D or DD breasts a reduction can help. Se a plastic surgeon in your area.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breast Reduction for teenage women

Many women who have large and heavy breasts suffer from significant back, neck and shoulder pain from the discomfort of supporting the weight of the breasts. A breast reduction can eliminate this discomfort entirely. Further, women who have very large breasts often have a difficult time participating in physical activities or sports and thus have lifestyle hindrances. Often appropriately fitting clothing can be a challenge for these women to find. Women with excessively large breasts may... more

Alexander G. Nein, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Teen surgery

Age is only a relative issue. Ideally, you should be stable which is not the case as a teenager since you are still growing. However, you have to measure that against the problem and the medical, socio-emotinal impact. For example, if your breasts are disproportionately large, sagging, and causing emotional and social issue with embarrassment, harrassment, or loss of self-esteem as well as the medical issues you mentioned, then it might be a good thing to undergo a reduction even if you are... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

If your Body Mass Index BMI is normal and your breast are really large, then now is the thime

While plastic surgeons would prefer to have a the breast of a patient to have reached their complete growth, it would be reasonable to consider breast reduction in your case. If you BMI is within normal limits and your breast are causing you so much discomfort and difficulties with your life style, the I would recommend that you see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to consider breast reduction. While your breast may continue to grow and you may want a second reduction it is doubtful that... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Breats reduction for teens

It is sometimes reasonable for a teenager to have a breast reduction but first, they must be done growing. At 14, that may not be the case. Secondly, they need to be extremely mature because there are many issues you need to understand to do well from a reduction. For example, the scars are a big issue. Many teens believe that the scars are temporary or that there is something we can do later to "remove" them. The scars are permanent and will always be there. Some people... more