Breast Reduction for a 16-year-old Girl?

Breast reduction can certainly help you, however you should see an experienced board certified plastic surgeon for a medical consultation to find out if this is right for you. During the consultation, you'll discuss the risks associated with the procedure so you can make an informed decision. You will also require a parent or guardian to accompany you during your consultation, as you are a minor.

The typical age for a breast reduction is 16 years of age, or as long as the breast tissue is fully formed and not continuing to grow. With a parent or guardians consent, this procedure can be done in an ambulatory setting with utmost comfort and convenience for each patient. A Breast Reduction can most definitely help with your back, shoulder and neck discomfort by taking the weight off of the beast as well as lifting and compacting them. The recovery is quite simple and most patients are back to work, school or normal activities after just a few days with limitations of exercise for a few weeks. 

You should seek a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area. They will be able to evaluate your situation. If your breasts are causing discomfort then insurance may cover the cost. 

Thank you for your question!  I hope that these answers help in making your decision.  You suffer from juvenile hypertrophy of the breasts, which is typically treated by breast reduction.  It is not uncommon to have the symptoms that you describe such as neck/back/shoulder pain as well as infections/rashes and shoulder grooving, especially in teenagers once her breasts begin to fully develop.  The decision for the procedure will ultimately be yours.Once one begins to have the symptoms that you state above, consideration for a surgical procedure to ameliorate your symptoms, assist with self esteem, and allow you to get back to physical activities in your youth should be done.  Given your symptoms,  you would be an ideal candidate.  You must first discuss with your parents and pediatrician, and then consulting with a plastic surgeon for evaluation and examination to assist you in deciding if this would be the right thing for you.  Your surgeon will also go over what to expect as well as the risks and benefits of the procedure.  Overall, your symptoms should be ameliorated almost immediately and hopefully give you more self confidence and an increased activity level.  Your breasts may still continue to grow over the next several years, but it is certainly reasonable to consider this at this age with the issues that you are having.  I hope that this helps!  Good luck with your decision!

         Not only do you have
large breasts at an early age, but you’re already suffering significant
symptoms. I generally prefer to wait until the breasts have stopped growing
before proceeding with breast reduction, but in your case, early intervention
may be appropriate because of your symptoms.

 

         I recommend
consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Obviously, your parents
need to be involved in the process as well. Breast reduction has significant
benefits and patients who undergo the procedure at an early age experience the
benefits over a lifetime. There are downsides as well. These include the
potential inability to breast feed, prolonged healing, decreased nipple
sensation and scarring. In my experience, patients who undergo breast reduction
at an early age not only experience relief of their symptoms, but also an
improved quality of life.