Will my boobs grow after eating disorder that started during puberty?

Question

I've had an eating disorder for 7~ years and lost a lot of weight.I got my eating disorder in the midst of my puberty (but I had gotten my period) so I never got boobs. Now I'm almost 20 but I've started eating real food and gained about 10 kg the last months.I haven't seen my breast change though, and I was wondering if it's now too late to ever get boobs back since I messed up my puberty? All the women in my family have big breasts.I feel very sad and unattractive looking like a teenage boy...

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sorry to hear about your eating disorder. If you gain weight, your breasts may grow larger. However, it is difficult to say. If you are considering breast surgery, please see a board certified plastic surgeon to explore your options.

Emile Brown, MD · Answer

Hello, I am very sorry to hear about your struggles with an eating disorder. But it sounds like you are doing much better now, so congratulations on your recovery. As women gain weight, they will generally distribute some of that fat accumulation in their breasts as well. However, at your age you would be unlikely to have any more growth of actual glandular breast tissue. It sounds as if you might be a good candidate for breast augmentation surgery. But the most important thing is you are getting healthy again, so I would encourage you to be positive and focus on that for now. Good work!

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Most girls have achieved breast growth by 16. At 20, you may only grow with weight gain or pregnancy. If you are not yet at your goal weight, continue with healthy eating and see what you may gain over the next year. If you do not show much increase, then consider meeting with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your options.

Omar Fouda Neel, MD, FRCSC, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your inquiry. First I would like to congratulate you for overcoming such an obstacle and beating your disorder. It is great news to hear that you are now healthy and doing well. That being said, the optimal time for your breast growth was during puberty. However, with your recent weight gain, I suggest you continue with your healthy regime and wait another year to see for any breast size changes. Your body has undergone trauma and is still going through heavy changes and you need to give it the time necessary to recover. If within a year you gain a few more pounds, maintain a healthy regime and still do not see a significant change in your breast size than I would consider consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon to look into breast augmentation surgery. In hopes this has helped you Best Regards

Robert N. Young, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Congratulations on the progress you have been making with your eating disorder. We realize that this can be a difficult struggle because you want your weight gain to be slow and steady. At 20, it is doubtful that your breasts will "grow" in the typical sense. You may notice slight increase in size due to adding some weight gain, but it may not give you the change you are hoping for in itself. Once you have been able to stabilize your weight at the desired level, it would be good to visit with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and look at the options in breast augmentation that would be most suitable for you.

Will my boobs grow after eating disorder that started during puberty?

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