American Society of Plastic Surgeons
For Medical Professionals
 
Taylor
4 years ago
Answered

36DDD at 21

Since I was 15, I’ve had very large breasts. It has always been difficult but recently it’s been causing me a lot of pain. I’ve had bruised from the weight of my breasts pressing my bras underwire onto them, I’ve also had shoulder pain and lower back pain from them. I’ve never had a surgery, do you think a reduction could be beneficial?

Procedure: Breast Reconstruction
Location: Jacksonville, NC

Replies 5

Daniel Allan

Yes.

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Debra Johnson
ASPS Surgeon

By age 21, it is likely that your breasts have stopped growing. Many women with DD or greater breasts complain about neck, back, and shoulder pain. If you are happy with your current weight, the consulting with a plastic surgeon about breast reduction is appropriate. If your weight is higher than you'd like, then it is best to try and lose the weight before undergoing a reduction. The tradeoff is scarring on the breast skin, usually around the perimeter of the areola, from the 6:00 position of the areola down to the fold, and then sometimes also in the bottom fold of the breast. In younger women, there is also concern that breast feeding might not be possible after a reduction. Pregnancy and breast feeding can change the size/shape of your breasts, so I warn young women that, depending on what happens in your life after breast reduction, you may require some "maintenance work" in the future. Use the Find-A-Surgeon tool on this website to locate an ASPS member surgeon nearby.

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Nelson Castillo

Thank you for sharing your excellent question. It is very likely that a breast reduction would help improve your current symptoms. If you use your hands to elevate your breasts and you feel an immediate improvement, than a reduction should help.

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Lorelei Grunwaldt
ASPS Surgeon

Hi

Thanks for your question. Yes, absolutely a reduction could help your symptoms and greatly improve your quality of life. It’s important at your age that your bra size has been stable for a year and that you are done growing. It’s also important that you are at your ideal weight. Breast reduction in teens can be life changing!

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Edward Domanskis

It sounds like you would be an excellent candidate. We can pursue this for you if you send us photos and your insurnce carrier. Your surgery could be performed as an outpatient at what of the cities that I have offices. Thanks!

Dr. Edward Jonas Domanskis is Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Newport Beach, San Francisco,Miami, EU, Anguilla

Assistant Clinical Professor of SurgeryWOS-Plastic,University of California (Irvine)

Orange County’s Physician of Excellence/America’s Top Physicians/Top Doctors

Plastic Surgery- 2005-2018

President,American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons

Organoderm Skin care/ScaRxTape

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