20 Year Old with 32 DDD Breasts, Am I a Candidate for a Breast Reduction?

The biomechanical burden of disproportionately large, heavy breasts is accentuated in the woman of diminutive stature.  If bra straps dig painfully into your shoulders, you have upper and/or mid back pain that disables you, with poor posture, limitation of your activities, without respite or relief, then YES, reduction mammaplasty should be in your future.

Thank you for the question.

It sounds like you have been 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. You may be an excellent candidate for breast reduction surgery.

As  you think  about  breast reduction surgery make sure you do your homework and understand the potential risks and complications associated with  the procedure.  Unsatisfactory scarring is  one of the potential complications. Make sure you also understands that further surgery may be necessary in the future (for example if the breasts were to grow in size again).

On the other hand, breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform and I think that for the right teenager (enough symptoms) it may be an excellent option (regardless of the age).
Sometimes breast  reduction surgery is covered through health insurance. The best way to obtain insurance coverage for breast reduction surgery involves some “hoops” to jump through. The more documentation you have (for example, from your primary care doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor etc.) the better when it comes to obtaining insurance “authorization” for the procedure.
This documentation and letter/pictures from your plastic surgeon will help you obtain authorization.

Make sure you are  working with a well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeon.


I hope this helps.

Breast reduction patients are some of the happiest people.  After surgery, they see improvement in breathing, improvement in neck and back pain, and improvement in their activities of daily living.  Additionally, patients feel more confident and comfortable in social situations.  Having surgery is a personal choice for you, so I would suggest going to a few consultations and then making your decisions.  It is important that you see a board certified plastic surgeon from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons.

 

Good Luck.