My daughter is 11 years old and she is wearing a GG bra size she needs a reduction. At what age can she have a breast reduction?

Question

She is complaining about excruciating back pain, not to mention what it is doing to her self esteem. At what age can she have a breast reduction?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Size GG at age 11 is most likely juvenile hypertrophy.  If surgery is done at this age, it is possible that she will need an additional operation later as she continues to grow.  However, psychological and medical problems may require immediate surgery instead of waiting for maturity.  In either case, I recommend a new technique called The Ultimate Breast Reduction.  This technique avoids the ugly vertical scars of the traditional technique, maintains nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed.  She needs psychological and pediatric evaluation prior to surgery.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the physical and psychosocial problems your daughter's disproportionately large breasts are causing her. It is probable that she is dealing with juvenile breast hypertrophy along with the physical and psychosocial consequences of this diagnosis. In other words, the breasts are too large for her frame causing  both physical and psychological distress.In my practice, timing of breast reduction surgery is determined on a case-by-case basis. It is not too early to do her/your homework and learn as much as possible  about  breast reduction surgery and the potential risks and complications associated with  the procedure.  I am glad your daughter has your support  as she does her homework.Unsatisfactory scarring is  one of the potential complications. Make sure she 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. When the time is right,  seek consultation with well-trained/experienced board-certified plastic surgeons.
I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Elliot W. Jacobs, MD · Answer

Eleven
 years old is so young to be experiencing this kind of physical and 
psychological pain.  I am sorry you and she are going through this--it 
must be difficult for you both.Since
 your daughter has not finished growing, it would be ideal to wait a few
 years until her development is complete so you can be reasonably 
certain just one breast reduction will be needed.  But you might also 
decide that it's best for her to go ahead sooner, taking the risk that 
additional surgery might be in the cards later on.I
 suggest you arrange a consultation or two with a board certified 
plastic surgeon with years of experience in breast reduction.  You 
should also consult your daughter's pediatrician, and you might even 
consider a session or two with a skilled counselor to assess your 
daughter's readiness for the road ahead.  It's a very good bet she will 
feel better about herself after the procedure, but she needs to know 
that comments from others may not stop for a while.Elliot Jacobs, M.D.New York Plastic Surgeon

William B. Rosenblatt, MD · Answer

She needs to be mature enough to deal with the surgery. She should be evaluated by her pediatirician and we would want to do it after her height and weight have stabilized. Get a consultation.

Rick Rosen, MD · Answer

The youngest girl I have ever performed the procedure on is 13 years old. Your daughter is more than big enough to justify the procedure based on the information you provided. Whether she is emotionally ready is something you would know and the surgeon you choose should evaluate. You also need to understand that she is not done developing yet and she may have a reoccurence of the hypertrophy and need the procedure performed again before the age of 22. If it is bothering her, then I would recommend you start with a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon who performs the procedure regularly.

My daughter is 11 years old and she is wearing a GG bra size she needs a reduction. At what age can she have a breast reduction?

Answers (5)

Answer: Maturity is the answer not the exact numerical age.

Answer: Maturity is the answer not the exact numerical age.

Answer: Earliest age for a breast reduction

Answer: Earliest age for a breast reduction

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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My daughter is 11 years old and she is wearing a GG bra size she needs a reduction. At what age can she have a breast reduction?

Answers (5)

Answer: Maturity is the answer not the exact numerical age.

Answer: Maturity is the answer not the exact numerical age.

Answer: Earliest age for a breast reduction

Answer: Earliest age for a breast reduction

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.