16 year old breast reduction
I was 16 years old when I decided to get a breast reduction. At first, I didn’t want to talk about it because I was so embarrassed. But after some time, I realized that other people had similar experiences and could help me through the process. That’s why I’m writing this blog post—to share my story and help other people who are going through something similar.
I’ve always been an active person, but at the age of 16, my breasts started getting in the way of everything I wanted to do. They made it hard for me to run or play sports with my friends; they made it hard for me to even walk around without feeling self-conscious about myself. My breasts also made it difficult for me to wear clothes that fit properly or look good on me. At first, I tried wearing baggy shirts and sweatshirts so no one could see my body shape underneath them; eventually though, this just started making me feel worse about myself because everyone else could still tell that there was something wrong with my body shape underneath all those layers!
It wasn’t until our family doctor suggested breast reduction surgery as an option that we realized how much better our lives could be if only we
16 year old breast reduction
breast reduction at the age of 16.
I just want to know if a 16 year old can have a breast reduction surgery? even if, her doctor said she stopped growing but said to wait until 18 because she’s not ‘’mature” enough and might regret it… even though, the girl has been waiting to get it done due to shoulder pains and sometime back pains.
Procedure: Breast Reduction
Location: silver spring, MD
Replies 5
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Steven SchusterASPS Surgeon
I have certainly operated on many young ladies who have the problem of gigantomastia some as young as 15 who have stopped growing and are mature enough to handle the surgery. While being 16 requires a parents consent for surgery I feel the most important thing for you to do is to discuss this with your parents and the two of you were three of you decide what Will be best for you. It is extremely difficult being a teenager and when your breast size is out of proportion to those girls around you it is a source of ridicule from time to time as well as making your life less enjoyable. Most girls your age want to go to a pool or beach and wear a bikini or T-shirt and not feel embarrassed. I think depending upon the decision you and your parents makeFinding a plastic surgeon who can fulfill your goals and discuss this with you maturely will be the way to go. I wish you good luck in your search and hopefully will be able to have your Symptoms improved and feel good about yourself.Boca Raton, FL
one year ago Edited
Samir ShureihASPS Surgeon
There are may concerns and issues to consider before deciding to do a breast reduction on a 16 years old lady.
One must consider the weight issue and if weight loss will improve on the breast size.
Physical maturity, whether the breasts really have stopped growing.
Psychological maturity to understand the surgery and the implications of the surgery.
Accepting the large scars
Possible interference with future breast feeding.
Possible interference with sensation.
Possible re-growth of the size of the breast.
These are few issues the patient and the parents need to consider.
Meanwhile a full cup bra and on top of that a sports bra, specially when doing any physical, exercise activity. ( That is what I recommended to my daughter)
Some surgeons have recommended liposuction of the breasts till the patient is 18 or above, but this comes with other issues like droopy empty breasts.
Breast shape and size and aesthetics are very important to a 16 years old lady.More Columbia, MD
one year ago
Jose Luis Daza FloresASPS Int. Surgeon
The problem you have is called gigantomastia and it requires surgical treartment called Breast Reduction. There are several ways to do this kínd of procedure and syntoms disapear imediatly after the procedure. Being 16 requires a Eritrea parent consent for surgery.Delegacion Benito Juarez, CDMX – Mexico
one year ago
Debra JohnsonASPS SurgeonSURGEON PROFILEAdd to Favorites
Many young women are deserving of a breast reduction. You want to assure that you have stopped growing: height and shoe size haven’t changed in the last year, you are at least two years from the date you started your period, and your bra size hasn’t changed in a year. You need your parents’ permission. Usually health insurance will cover breast reduction for women who are a DD or greater, and they often require a 2-3 cup size reduction to qualify. In younger women, you have to think about what will happen to your breasts in the years to come: most women lose breast volume with pregnancy and breastfeeding, breasts to change size depending on your weight (if you are overweight, you should try and lose weight into the normal range first), reduction may limit your ability to breastfeed. I don’t want tol trade your self-consciousness about your large breasts for self-consciousness about having scars. If you understand, and want to proceed, find an ASPS surgeon near you!Sacramento, CA
one year ago
Nelson Castillo
Thank you for sharing your question. Yes it is possible to have a breast reduction at 16 but you will need your parents consent. It is best to wait until your breasts stop changing for a year to have the best, long-term results. Hope this helps.Atlanta, GA
How Old Do You Have to Be for Breast Reduction Surgery?
Overly large breasts can cause back and neck pain, as well as emotional stress for many women. For some of these women, breast reduction can provide much-needed relief. However, adolescent women deal with these concerns, as well — it may even affect their ability to participate in sports teams or other physical activities they enjoy with friends. As a teen struggling with this (or a concerned parent), you may wonder if there is a minimum age requirement that must be met before these issues can be addressed. Whenever possible, Dr. Neil Zemmel recommends waiting until at least 18 years of age to consider breast reduction surgery, but some young women may require surgical intervention sooner. Depending on a variety of factors, certain individuals may qualify as breast reduction candidates when they are as young as 15, although some insurance providers require patients to be at least 16 years old to receive coverage. However, there are no official age restrictions currently set in place for breast reduction. Dr. Zemmel assesses all inquiries for this procedure on a case-by-case basis, and can help teens and their parents determine when it is safe and appropriate to consider surgery.
If you think breast reduction may be right for you or your daughter, please contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zemmel. He will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and can help you discover if and when this procedure should be considered.
can u get breast reduction at 16
What Is the Best Age To Get a Breast Reduction?
There are several reasons why women may seek a breast reduction, such as to relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain. But even though this procedure is very common, many women who are interested in this treatment have many questions about the surgery and the surgical process. At Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI, we know that patients who have a reliable source of knowledge can make the best decisions about their health and aesthetic goals. Learn more about the most frequently asked questions related to this procedure before you call to schedule your consultation with Dr. Elluru.
What Is the Best Age To Get a Breast Reduction?
One of the most commonly-asked questions is about the best age to have a breast reduction. The truth is, as long as the patient desires a breast reduction, there is no “best” age for this procedure. There are several stages in life where a woman may want or need a reduction procedure. Ultimately, the best way to determine if you are at the right age to have this procedure is to attend a consultation with a plastic surgeon. That said, some of the most common age groups for this procedure include:
Under 18
During puberty, secondary sex characteristics such as the breasts begin to develop, sometimes as early as age 11 or 12. Over the next several years, the size of the mammary tissue will grow in relation to genetics, weight gain, and hormones. However, many women younger than 18 struggle with overly large breasts and may desire a reduction before they become adults. Some girls as young as 15 or 16 may petition parents for permission to have this procedure.
However, while some surgeons may perform this procedure for girls younger than 18, most surgeons will not because the body is still developing. Additionally, because parental consent is necessary for any plastic surgery on a patient who is not a legal adult, the surgeon, patient, and parents will need to work together to determine whether or not surgery is a good idea. Many girls who want early reduction surgery will be encouraged to wait until they are at least 18.
Young Women
Young women aged between 18 and 30 are one of the biggest groups to seek a reduction procedure or other breast augmentation procedures for that matter. By the time women are in their 20s, the overall shape of their body and the development of their breasts will be complete, so unless there is a drastic change in body weight, the size of the breasts is likely to be static. For some, this is an ideal age to have this surgery.
Post-Breastfeeding
Pregnancy can drastically change the shape of a woman’s body, particularly her breasts. After breastfeeding, some women have breasts that are still enlarged with excess fat from the pregnancy. Many women like to have a reduction surgery after they have finished breastfeeding to restore the shape of the body to a pre-pregnancy form. That said, if you plan to have more children in the near future, it may make sense to postpone your procedure.
Mature Women
Women over the age of 40 also seek this procedure to refine the shape of their bodies. Many women experience changes in their body proportions related to aging, such as loss of volume in some areas of the body and gaining volume from fat in other areas. A reduction may be a good option to reduce the weight of the breasts, particularly for women who want to correct new body proportions.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Do Women Want Breast Reductions?
Women of all ages seek a reduction procedure for several reasons. For example, some women site shoulder, neck, and back pain as being a primary motivator for having this procedure. Overly-large breasts can place stress on the spine and the muscles of the back, which can cause physical discomfort over time.
Other women may want to correct the size of their breasts for the sake of convenience. Large breasts can feel cumbersome during exercise or basic household chores, and it may be difficult to find bras that fit correctly. By reducing the size of the breasts, women will be able to have an easier time in multiple areas of life.
The Importance of Confidence
Beyond all the practical reasons women may seek to have a reduction surgery, perhaps the most prominent motivation for this procedure is to improve self-confidence. A poor self-image related to the body can have long-lasting psychological impacts. Women who feel self-conscious about the size of their breasts for any reason may not feel comfortable in public wearing certain clothes and may even take great steps to not draw attention to themselves.
By reducing the size of the breasts, women may begin to feel more confident about themselves. With more confidence may come more happiness or even a new willingness to make healthier lifestyle choices. The importance of confidence is tied to having a positive sense of well-being, so there may be no greater reason to have this procedure than wanting to feel better about yourself.
2. Are There Signs You May Need a Reduction?
Although the decision to have reduction surgery will depend on your aesthetic goals, some signs may indicate a reduction will be a good idea for your health. For example, if you have chronic pain in the back, neck, or shoulder that requires pain medication, patches, or other at-home therapies for pain relief, you may want to consider a reduction.
Women may also want to consider a reduction procedure if they frequently have grooves from bra straps on the neck and shoulders. Rashes and skin irritation beneath the breasts are another common sign that your breasts may be too large. Difficulty sleeping, exercising, or performing daily activities can also be signs that a reduction is in your best interest.
3. Can You Breastfeed After Reduction Surgery?
Some women who have not had children or who plan to have more children in the future may worry about their ability to breastfeed after a breast procedure. Like most other breast procedures, there should be no issue with breastfeeding in the future. In fact, the techniques used for a reduction are the most friendly to future breastfeeding. Please be sure to bring up your concerns about future breastfeeding during your consultation with Dr. Elluru.
4. Is Anesthesia Required?
Yes, general anesthesia is required for this procedure. It will take a few hours to complete your reduction surgery, so you will be administered anesthesia by a certified anesthesiologist so you will be unconscious for the duration of the procedure. After your surgery is complete, you may feel groggy as the anesthesia wears off. As long as you are generally healthy and pass certain labs and exams, then you should be approved for surgery using general anesthesia.
5. How Should You Prepare for Surgery?
There are a few things you will need to do before you can have breast reduction surgery. For example, you may need to complete certain labs, exams, or medical evaluations to determine whether or not you are healthy enough for the procedure. You may need to adjust the dosage of certain medications or temporarily discontinue blood-thinning medications one to two weeks before your surgery. It’s also recommended that you complete a mammogram before your procedure to establish a baseline for your current breast tissue.
6. What Should You Do After Surgery?
Your recovery period will take about two to six weeks before you can resume normal activities, such as exercise. Most women will be able to resume light activity within one week of their procedure, meaning they can return to work after one to two weeks. During your recovery period, you will be required to wear a special bra for 24 hours a day for four weeks to encourage good healing. When you have fully recovered from the procedure, it’s recommended to have a mammogram to assess your breast tissue and establish a new baseline.