Pediatric Conditions and Treatment Is Breast Reduction Surgery Right for My Teen

Like their adult counterparts, many younger women suffer from macromastia, which is most simply defined as having enlarged breasts that are out of proportion to the overall body size. Macromastia can lead to a number of problems, both physical (such as neck and back pain, skin rashes, and poor posture), and psychosocial (such as low self-esteem, reduced quality of life, and other mental health issues).

Affected young women may also receive unwanted attention from peers, be unable to participate in sports and other activities, and have trouble finding bras or other clothing that fits properly.

What are the benefits of breast reduction surgery?

Reduction mammoplasty is an effective treatment for many of the physical and psychosocial challenges that young women with overly enlarged breasts may face. Benefits include:

• Less pain: Breast reduction surgery often provides immediate relief from debilitating neck and back pain caused by very large breasts
• More movement: Breast reduction surgery can make it easier for young women to participate in sports and other types of physical activity
• Improved self-esteem and overall quality of life
  

Reduction mammoplasty is an effective treatment for many of the physical and psychosocial challenges that young women with overly enlarged breasts may face.

It is a common misconception that a young woman much reach a certain age (e.g. 18 years) in order to undergo breast reduction surgery. This is simply not true-though there are certain guidelines we follow in order to help ensure the best possible outcomes. Here are some general guidelines:

• Menstruation: It's generally best to wait at least two years from a young woman's first menstrual period before performing breast reduction surgery.
• Breast Growth: Her breast growth must have stabilized, such that she has not had significant changes in size for one year.
• Future Plans: Her clinical team will also want to know about any plans for significant weight loss, in order to best ensure she is happy with the results both immediately following surgery, and in the future.

What is breast reduction surgery like?

Breast reduction surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, which means you return home the same day. Your teen will be asleep under general anesthesia for the entire surgery, which usually lasts around 2-3 hours. We use dissolvable stitches that don't need to be removed, and the vast majority of patients will not require surgical drains. There will be scars, which tend to fade significantly over time with good care. Patients typically return to school or work after a week, and by 6 weeks post-op, most will have gradually returned to their normal activity level (and then some!).

How can I find out more?

Breast reduction surgery can be a life-changing experience. We're here to help empower you and your adolescent to make informed decisions about her care. If your teen is facing challenges like the ones we described, don't hesitate to reach out to our team of experts for answers to your questions about whether this procedure could be the right one for her.