Help for Teenager with Uneven Breast Development

my daughter is almost 14 and has started her periods. her left breast is an 'a' cup where as her right breast is almost a 'd' cup. she has been refused nhs treatment for her condition until she is 18. is there any private clinics in the uk that would be willing to do corrective surgery on someone so young? also, i have been given no self help infomation with regards to exercise that may enhance the growth of the smaller breast and no infomation was offered of where specialist bra's and swimwear can be purchased. can you help?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by julie hillier in dorset, england

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Teenager with uneven breast development

As the father of a 14 year old girl, I FULLY sympathize with you. But as Americans embroiled in our own current debate on inventing our own version of your NHS in the US -- we cannot really comment on the benefits of your NHS or the lack thereof. In your case, it sounds like your daughter has significant breast asymmetry which MAY even be a mild form of POLAND'S SYNDROME. The breast completes its growth by age 18 to 19 years. Depending on the level of anxiety and psychological impact it has... more

Breast asymmetry should be addressed once growth has stopped

I would tend to agree with the other experts in that breast asymmetry should really be addressed once breast development is complete. With the degree of asymmetry that your daughter has, it would be unfortunate to put her through a big surgery only to have the results change over the next few years. As for exercises, don't waste your time. Exercise will only affect the muscle and this is not the problem here. I hope that helps.

Breast asymmetry

SEE VIDEO FOR BREAST ASYMMETRY TREATMENT: You have been provided with wise advice. Performing surgery too early could result in needing more surgery later due to ongoing changes in breast development. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast asymmetry

It is always better to wait until the breast are of full size and have not grown anymore. She most likely will grow a bit more. When they do not grow anymore, it will be easier to adjust the volume on each side then doing something now, and seeing a growth spurt.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Correction of breast asymmetry.

Hi! This degree of breast asymmetry is usually associated with a lot of emotional suffering. So I think it is perfectly appropiate to do corrective surgery on your daughter now. But you need to understand that she will almost certainly need further surgery when her breasts have finished developing (age 18 to 20). Exercises will not help. Until she has surgery, you can get her a prosthesis to fit inside her bra at a store that caters to mastectomy patients.

14 year old with breast asymmetry

You would do well to wait until her breast size has stabilized for one year. You need to know what the ultimate size and size difference will be before you try to make a correction. Otherwise age is really not a factor.

What can be done for an adolescent with asymmetrical breast development?

Hi there- In managing the problem of prominently asymmetric breast development, I believe it is equally important to be cognizant of the social issues, as well as the surgical and anatomical ones... The reason you are unable to find help via the NHS is because it is likely that your daughter's breasts will continue to develop and change until at least that time (some women's breasts continue to change even longer), and no responsible surgeon would normally recommend putting a patient through mor more