Is it too early to get a breast reduction and lift at 20 years old?

Question

My breasts are about 34DDD+. It's hard to do any physical activities without them being painful. I have tried losing weight, but they still sag pretty low. What do you recommend I do? I can never go out comfortably without being self-conscious about how large they look in T-shirts. When I don't where bras they hurt even more. My breasts are flatter towards the top and most of the weight is low if that makes sense lol. Should I wait until I'm older and try to fix it naturally or would surgery be the best bet?

Danivel Cespedes, MD · Answer

Based on what you've described, it sounds like you may be experiencing symptoms related to excessively large, heavy breasts, including discomfort with physical activity, pain without adequate support, and concerns about breast shape and appearance. These are very common reasons women seek consultation with a plastic surgeon.While maintaining a healthy weight is always beneficial, breast size is influenced not only by body fat but also by breast glandular tissue and genetics. This is why many women continue to have large breasts even after losing weight. Unfortunately, there are no exercises or natural methods that can significantly reduce breast volume or correct breast sagging.A breast reduction is often the most effective solution for women with symptoms like yours. In addition to reducing breast size and weight, the procedure lifts the breasts, reshapes them, and repositions the nipple-areola complex, creating a more balanced and youthful contour. Many patients report significant relief from neck, shoulder, and back discomfort, improved ability to exercise, and greater confidence in clothing after surgery.If your breast size has been stable and you are in good overall health, there is usually no medical reason to delay surgery simply because of your age. Scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon will help determine whether you are a good candidate and which surgical approach would best achieve your goals.

Chet Mays, MD · Answer

Thank you your inquiry!  We would love to sit down with you to discuss you concerns.  Losing weight will just leave you with excess skin and more of a pendulous breast.  Schedule a consultation with a Board-Sertified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Kyla58,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.

Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Sameer Karkhanis, MS, DNB · Answer

Hello. You are the ideal candidate for breast reduction surgery. Reduction surgery itself will help you to lift the breast. You should not require any other surgery to lift the breasts. Once your growth is complete, you can consider breast reduction surgery. 20 yrs old is the appropriate age for surgery. It wont reshape naturally on its own. Breast reduction surgery or reduction mastopexy will solve all your concerns. Highly recommended with these concerns and size.
Thank you.

Regards, 
Dr. Sameer Karkhanis, 
Centre for Cosmetic Surgery, Mumbai, India

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing this &mdash; what you're describing (pain with activity, discomfort without a bra, self-consciousness, and weight sitting low with flatness up top) are classic reasons women seek breast reduction, and they're completely valid. There isn't really a "natural fix" to wait for &mdash; breast tissue doesn't typically redistribute or shrink on its own, especially once weight loss alone hasn't changed much.
Breast reduction removes excess volume, repositions the remaining tissue higher on the chest (addressing that lower, flat-on-top shape), and for most patients significantly reduces or eliminates back, neck, and shoulder pain. Many describe being able to exercise comfortably for the first time in years and wearing regular clothing without feeling like their chest is the focal point.
Given the pain you're already experiencing, this sounds like it's affecting your quality of life in ways surgery is specifically meant to address. A consultation would let a surgeon assess your anatomy and walk you through what's realistic for your frame &mdash; and there's no benefit to waiting.
All the best

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. If you are experiencing symptoms that impact your quality of life and conservative treatment has failed, you do not need to wait to undergo a breast reduction surgery.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I have performed breast reductions on women as young as 18. The technique I recommend the Bellesoma. This will reduce and reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. The weight of the breast is transferred to the underlying muscle resulting in pain relief without excessive reduction. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing this so openly. First, please know that what you're describing &mdash; physical pain, difficulty exercising, and constant self-consciousness with a 34DDD+ chest &mdash; is exactly the situation that breast reduction surgery is designed to treat, and 20 is absolutely an appropriate age to consider it. Once breast development is complete (usually by the late teens) and your size has been stable, there's no medical reason to keep waiting if the symptoms are affecting your daily life. Many of my reduction patients are in their early twenties.Unfortunately, very large, heavy breasts that sag and carry most of their volume low rarely improve with weight loss or any non-surgical method &mdash; the breast tissue and stretched skin don't tighten on their own, which matches what you've experienced. A breast reduction combined with a lift removes the excess tissue, lifts the nipple to a natural position, and reshapes the breast so it sits higher and lighter. Most patients feel immediate relief from neck, shoulder, and back strain and find physical activity far more comfortable.Also, young patients should be aware that breast reduction surgery may cause difficulties with breastfeeding afterward, and it is also naturally possible for some individuals to be unable to breastfeed regardless of surgery. Most importantly, pregnancy and childbirth can significantly alter the shape and appearance of the breasts, which may affect the long-term results of the procedure.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

When your symptoms are bad enough that you want the operation then that’s when you should have a breast reduction.
It sounds like you should have it sooner rather than later. 
From what you describe a breast reduction should be covered by medical insurance.
I suggest you consult with a few plastic surgeons in your community.
 sure you consult with plastic surgeons who accept medical insurance reimbursement and don’t bill you as a cosmetic operation.
If you do this as cosmeticsurgery, it’s going to be very expensive and it should be a covered benefit from most medical insurance plans.
 Getting insurance authorization requires having a plastic surgeon make it assessment and request authorization.
If you don’t know what plastic surgeon to go to to try find out who does most of the breast cancer reconstruction in your community.
Plastic surgeons to do a lot of breast cancer reconstruction tend to be very good atbreast surgery in general, including breast reduction.
 Plastic surgeons who do a lot of reconstructive work are also used to working with insurance reimbursement.
Recognize that insurance reimbursement is often very little in comparison what plastic surgeons would charge as a cash procedure so there is a financial gain for the plastic to not accept insurance reimbursement. Consult with a few plastic surgeons. 
Breast reduction surgery has very high patient satisfaction.
The youngest patient I’ve done a breast reduction on. It was 16 years old.
Her breasts were so big she wasn’t able to run or do any sports at all.
She had permanent shoulder grooving at age 16.
The reduction turned out well and gave her symptomatic relief.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Is it too early to get a breast reduction and lift at 20 years old?

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