Can I get a breast reduction at 17 - Cosmetic Surgery Tips

Can I get a breast reduction at 17?

Yes, you can get a breast reduction at 17. Breast reduction surgery is a popular procedure that can help women who are struggling with large breasts. Many women go through puberty with larger than average breasts and have difficulty finding clothing that fits properly, as well as physical discomfort from the weight of their breasts. A breast reduction can help reduce the size of your breasts while providing other benefits such as improved posture, better breathing, and reduced back pain. In this guide, we review the aspects of Can I get a breast reduction at 17, breast reduction age requirements, How big do your breast have to be for a reduction, and What is the youngest age for a breast reduction?

Breast reduction surgery can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on your preference and the type of procedure being performed. The most common types of breast reductions include vertical mastopexy (also called “lollipop” lift), anchor incision (a V-shaped cut around each nipple) or keyhole incisions (smaller cuts made around each nipple). There are also variations on these procedures depending on your body type and desired results.

The cost for breast reduction surgery varies widely between doctors and facilities but can range from $4,000-$15,000 depending on factors including location and surgeon experience level. Insurance may cover part or all of this cost if you meet certain criteria; however it

Pediatric plastic surgeons perform both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery.

Reconstructive surgery repairs a physical defect that affects a child’s ability to function normally (e.g., a cleft palate).
Cosmetic surgery aims to improve someone’s physical appearance and is mainly about improving their self-image or confidence.

Age of Consent

The question of cosmetic (aka aesthetic) surgery in teens can be a thorny subject. There are no specific laws in the United States that prevent teenagers from getting cosmetic surgery; however, parental consent is required for patients under the age of 18. Therefore, the responsibility falls to parents to help their children make the right decision.

Common Cosmetic Surgeries Performed on Teens

Cosmetic surgery can be appropriate in selected teenagers and can be safely done. In 2013, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) published data showing that number of cosmetic surgery done for the teens has actually come down progressively over the years, in contrast to the media reports suggesting otherwise.

For example, in 2013 the ASPS reported that members performed 63,600 surgeries on patients between 13-19 years of age. The most common surgeries included:

Breast augmentation (breast implants) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers aesthetic breast augmentation for patients less than 18 years of age to be an off-label use. The FDA has not approved breast augmentation in patients younger than 18. According to the ASPS, over 8,000 surgeries were performed in 2013 on 18-19 year old girls.
Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) – This is the most requested aesthetic surgical procedure by teens. It can be performed when the nose has completed 90% of its growth, which can occur as early as age 13 or 14 in girls and 15 or 16 in boys.
Breast reduction – Frequently, this surgery is performed on girls with overly large breasts that may cause back and shoulder pain, as well as restrict physical activity. Breast reduction usually is delayed until the breasts have reached full development. In some boys, excessive breast development (gynecomastia) can become a significant problem. In those cases, the excess tissue can be removed.
Otoplasty (ear pinning) – This surgery is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six.
Liposuction

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures

The ASPS reported nearly 156,000 non-surgical cosmetic procedures including botulinum (Botox®) injections, skin resurfacing, and laser treatments of hair, skin and veins.

If Your Teenager Wants Plastic Surgery

They must voice a specific concern and have realistic goals. Teens who are able to voice a specific concern and have realistic goals for their outcome are candidates for cosmetic procedures. For example, a teen who notes a hump on the nose and requests to have it removed, has a specific complaint. If that teen’s goal is to have a straight nose and blend in with peers, the outcome is likely to be achieved, so this teen may be a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. It the teenager believes that a straight nose will increase popularity, the goal is unrealistic and the teenager is not a good candidate for surgery.
They must show maturity and understand the procedure, risks, and consequences. A good candidate for cosmetic surgery is mature enough to understand the procedure, its risks, and what limitations the recovery period will require. The teenager requesting nasal reshaping who cannot rearrange their sports obligations to allow 6-8 weeks for surgery and healing is not yet ready to commit to the surgery and is not a good candidate for surgery. A mature teenager should also have an understanding of the possible things that can go wrong and be willing to accept that situation should it happen.
They must initiate the request for surgery. It is never advisable for a parent to suggest plastic surgery. The idea has to come from the child. Parents may project their own experiences and want to protect their children from emotional harm. If a teen has prominent ears, but is not bothered by them, that teen is not a good candidate even if the ears would respond well to an otoplasty. Parents who request consultation for a teen in this case may tell the doctor, “My ears have always bothered me and I don’t want my child to have the same problem.” If the teen is not requesting the surgery, there is no patient consent, even if there is parental consent.
If your teen asks you about cosmetic procedures– particularly on the ears, nose or breasts – they may be candidates for cosmetic surgery. Explore what they feel they would like to change and why they would like it changed. Research what surgery might be like, what its risks are and how it would affect their activities. If as a parent-teenager team, you feel that cosmetic surgery may be appropriate, ask your pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric plastic surgeon who can explain more about it to you and your child.

Check Credentials

State laws permit any licensed physician to call themselves a “plastic” or “cosmetic” surgeon, even if not trained as a surgeon. Look for certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). If the doctor operates in an ambulatory or office-based facility, the facility should be accredited. Additionally, the surgeon should have operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the same procedure being considered.

breast reduction age requirements

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.

How big do your breast have to be for a reduction

Every woman has looked in the mirror and wished she could change something about her body. For many women, especially those who have been pregnant, their most significant concern is the size of their breasts. At Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI, we’d like you to know that you don’t have to settle for heavy, sagging breasts. Today, we highlight one of our most popular procedures: breast reduction.

What Is a Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammoplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin, fat and other tissue from your breasts. While it is extremely popular among women, it is also the most popular procedure received by men.

Most women opt for reduction mammoplasty to relieve back pain, help them lose weight and achieve more proportional contours. For men, reduction mammoplasty is popular to treat gynecomastia.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a medical condition characterized by swollen male breast tissue. This may be caused by weight gain, but it is almost always the result of hormonal imbalances. Puberty, aging, medications and other health conditions can all be responsible for too much estrogen or not enough testosterone in men.

Unfortunately, gynecomastia causes uncomfortable, sometimes painful swelling. Even worse, it wreaks havoc on a man’s self-confidence, preventing him from participating in certain activities, like swimming, water polo and pick-up basketball.

Treatment Options for Gynecomastia

If gynecomastia is merely a symptom of excess fatty tissue, weight loss will reverse the condition. Unfortunately, it is not usually this simple.

When gynecomastia is triggered by hormonal imbalances, many men turn to weight gain to make their chest look more proportionate to the rest of their body. This is terrible for their health, and their breasts only grow with the rest of their body.

Other men turn to building their pectoral muscles. Since the breast tissue is on top of the pectoral muscles, the condition is merely exacerbated. The most effective solutions for the reversal of gynecomastia are reduction mammoplasty and body contouring methods, like liposuction or CoolSculpting.

How Many Sizes Can You Go Down In A Breast Reduction?

Several factors affect how many sizes you can expect to lose with a breast reduction. These include how much volume you have to lose, the composition of your breasts and what incision technique is used, among other factors.

In general, you can expect to lose around one or two cup sizes. During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your aesthetic goals and breast composition to give you a good idea of what results you can realistically expect.

Am I a Good Candidate for Reduction Mammoplasty?

The best male candidates for reduction mammoplasty are adolescents and adults who do not smoke, do not suffer from diabetes or heart conditions, are not morbidly obese and want to reverse gynecomastia. For females, the best candidates for reduction mammoplasty can relate to the following:

You Have Ptosis

Ptosis, also known as sagging, is a common consequence of aging. However, it can also be caused by a high BMI, large cup size, drastic weight fluctuations, breast composition and density, cigarette smoking, inelastic skin and multiple pregnancies.

In some cases, reduction mammoplasty alone is enough to reverse ptosis. By removing excess skin and breast tissue and repositioning the nipple, many women find that a breast lift is unnecessary.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for This Procedure?

We recommend holding off on reduction mammoplasty in two cases. The first case is planned childbirth and the second case is planned weight loss. Let’s take a closer look.

Motherhood

We strongly recommend waiting until you are done having children to undergo reduction mammoplasty. Research has shown that reduction mammoplasty does not affect your ability to breastfeed because the nipple is not separated from the underlying tissue.

However, pregnancy causes hormonal fluctuations which may increase the size of your breasts. Thus, if you receive reduction mammoplasty before you are done adding to your family, you may need a follow-up procedure to achieve your desired contours and proportions again.

Weight Loss

There are no risk factors associated with losing weight after receiving a reduction mammoplasty. However, it is important to understand that your breasts may be largely due to fatty tissue deposits, not just excess glandular tissue.

You may find that losing body fat through diet and exercise results in smaller breasts. Thus, you may need a less extensive reduction in breast volume through reduction mammoplasty. Among other things, this will shorten the length of your recovery time.

How Can I Prepare for Reduction Mammoplasty?

During your initial consultation, we will review your medical history and assess your current overall health status to ensure you are healthy enough to undergo this procedure at this time. Then, we will go over your expectations for breast appearance and size after your procedure to make sure your expected results are realistic.

If you think it would be helpful, bring in pictures of what you think your ideal breasts would look like. This can help us determine if this is the right procedure for you and if your breasts would be proportionate with the rest of your contours, such as your waist and hips.

Once we determine that reduction mammoplasty is the right procedure for you, we will examine and measure your breasts. We will also take photographs of your breasts for the purposes of your medical records and review the best type of anesthesia for your unique situation.

What Else Do I Need to Do to Prepare?

Before your reduction mammoplasty, you should also get a baseline mammogram and receive any dental procedures you need done. These appointments cannot be met for six months to a year after your reduction mammoplasty. Moreover, you may need to receive certain lab tests to confirm your health.

One of the most important things you need to do in advance of your reduction mammoplasty is stop smoking for six weeks before your procedure. Be prepared to not smoke for six weeks post-op, either. For 72 hours before and after your procedure, stop taking aspirin, NSAIDs and certain supplements which thin the blood.

What Can I Expect During My Procedure?

Depending on the volume reduction you need to achieve, you may receive one of several types of incisions. In most cases, incisions are made around the areola and down each breast. Excess fat is generally removed via liposuction. Then, excess breast tissue and skin are removed to further reduce the size of your breast.

Finally, the breast is reshaped, the remaining skin is lifted and the nipple and areola are repositioned. If you are concerned with the size of your areola, this can be reduced, as well. In nearly every case, the nipple and areola remain attached to the breast. However, if your breasts are very large, they may need to be grafted into a higher position onto the breast.

Is Reduction Mammoplasty a Stand-Alone Procedure?

Whether reduction mammoplasty is a stand-alone procedure or not depends on your unique aesthetic goals. Some women find they only need reduction mammoplasty to achieve their desired contours.

Others include this procedure along with several others in what is known as a “mommy makeover”. A mommy makeover is a set of body contouring and feminine rejuvenation procedures that help women get back their pre-natal bodies.

Excellent complementary procedures for mothers include vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, abdominoplasty, breast lift, arm lift and thigh lift.

Reduction Mammoplasty Techniques

“Lollipop” Technique

The lollipop technique used for reduction mammoplasty can result in a breast volume reduction of roughly one cup. This method, also known as a vertical reduction mammoplasty, is popular because the round incisions are hidden within the dark folds of the areola.

Your recovery time may also be shorter with this method. The downside is that you won’t get dramatic results. If you need to reduce breast volume by 50% or more, this is not the right technique for you.

Horizontal Technique

The horizontal technique involves a horizontal incision made along the inframammary fold. The nipple and areola are elevated without the need for a vertical incision. This technique is ideal for women who want to reduce their breast volume by several cup sizes.

There are several advantages to this technique. Primarily, there is no vertical incision. Secondarily, the incision around the nipple-areola complex is nearly invisible, and there is no incision made within the mammary folds.

Inferior Pedicle Technique

The inferior pedicle technique is also known as the anchor technique, inverted-T technique, or Wise technique. This technique is ideal for women with overly sensitive breasts who may still need full lactational function and capability.

The incision pattern looks like an upside-down “T”, with incisions made within the areola, down the breast hemisphere, and beneath the breast folds. If you have been diagnosed with macromastia or gigantomastia, this is most likely the ideal technique for you.

Lipectomy

In some cases, women only need a subtle reduction in breast volume. For example, one breast may have decreased in volume more than the other during nursing or after weight loss. In such cases, nothing more than liposuction may be necessary to reduce adequate breast volume and restore symmetry. This technique involves only localized anesthesia.

This may be the ideal technique for you if you only need around a one-cup reduction in breast volume, you have low-density breasts comprised mostly of adipose tissue (fat deposits), your skin is fairly elastic and you only suffer from mild sagging.

What is the youngest age for a breast reduction

Is there an ideal age for a breast reduction surgery? It all depends on your unique situation.

Dr. Comizio is often asked if there is an ideal age to have breast reduction surgery. Of course, it is always important to consider the personal situation and health of each patient. Dr. Comizio will always be upfront and honest in her response. The ideal age for each individual depends on the answers to a series of questions. Typically, women looking for a breast reduction have large, natural breasts that cause them medical issues, including pain in the neck, back, and/or shoulders, deep and painful shoulder indentations from bra straps, and even migraine headaches. On the surface, it is logical to think the best time to have a breast reduction procedure performed is sooner rather than later. Often, a breast reduction can help alleviate pain and provide comfort and relief. However, it’s important to consider your goals for the future.

Women of childbearing age

One of the primary reasons Dr. Comizio believes that timing of a breast reduction is personal, is because many women of childbearing age have different goals for family planning. Among those who think or know they want to have children, there are different goals and desires for breastfeeding. Breast reduction surgery includes incisions through breast ducts and can impact future breastfeeding – however, it is still possible to breastfeed after having breast reduction surgery. Success with breast feeding is not always guaranteed – regardless of whether a woman has had surgery on their breasts. Therefore, a general rule of thumb is if a women feels 100% confident she would like to breastfeed her children, it is usually recommended to wait until after they have completed pregnancy and lactation before having surgery. If there are issues breastfeeding, it will also help eliminate breast reduction surgery as the cause. If a mom is open to formula feeding due to issues with breast feeding, it may be beneficial to have a smaller, more comfortable breast size prior to having children to alleviate any additional pain or issues.

Most women experience a fluctuation in their breast size with any hormonal changes, pregnancies, weight gain or menopause – which can all increase breast size. It’s important to keep that in mind when deciding on a breast reduction. Sometimes, when women decide to have a reduction in cup size and then go through body changes, they may end up with the same size in which they started. Cup size is a personal preference based on size of origination, activity level and future goals.

What is too young or too old?

Depending on a variety of factors, some females 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. The same applies to women later in life. Breast reduction is common among mature women 50-60 years old due to hormone changes and possible weight gain from menopause. A thorough evaluation is critical at any age to assess a patient’s health, skin condition, emotional maturity and goals.

The importance of a consult

There are a variety of things to consider when it comes to determining the right age to have a breast reduction performed. Each candidate is different and unique, and therefore, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. A consultation with Dr. Comizio will give you an opportunity to discuss your medical issues associated with large breasts and family planning goals. She partners with each patient to determine the best possible timing to proceed with your breast reduction surgery.