Breast Reduction Recovery for Teens in School?

it really depends on the type of reduction you have, but usually you can expect to be back to school in a week or two, as long as you don't do anything strenuous. That means no gym, running to class, climbing several flights of stairs or exerting yourself in other ways.

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.  You should consider having the procedure done during the summer or during one of your breasks to allow adequate recovery and have additional help without other school obligations.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!

I would recommend a week off from activities. Have the surgery on a friday for example and take the next week off. That gives you the weekends in addition to recover. The discomfort is mild most patients tell me, so that should be sufficient time. I recommend you get a consultation from a board certified plastic surgeon and get more information. 

Thank you for your question. After any surgical procedure, including breast reduction, it is good if you can take 2 weeks off to recover.  This way you will be near your plastic surgeon during your recovery.  3 or 4 weeks is even better to be close to your surgeon, in case there are any areas that are healing slowly.  However, if your school is near your plastic surgeon 2 weeks should be enough.  After the surgery you should not lift anything heavy, including backpacks, or do strenuous exercise for at least 2 weeks.  Also after surgery you will be a little tired for several weeks, so if you have a strenuous school schedule keep this in mind.  Most of my college students have the procedure either the summer before they start college or right at the beginning of the Christmas break when they have several weeks to recover and not worry about getting back to school right away.  This has worked fine.  Hope this helps.

Tracy Pfeifer, MD, MS

The breast reduction procedure is a wonderful operation for the teenager that has excessively large breasts.  Large breasts interfere with physical activity and sports, limit exercise choices, make it difficult to wear clothes and can be the object of teasing and ridicule.  The scars are much less than 10 years ago and the recovery is very quick.  The procedure can be performed as an outpatient with very little post op pain.  

Some insurance carriers will cover the procedure, your plastic surgeon will need to submit an insurance pre authorization letter to determine coverage.  

Good Luck!