How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Breast Reduction?

For many young women, having large breasts (macromastia) can become a big problem once puberty takes hold. They are often embarrassed by their larger size and worry about the negative impact on sports or how certain clothing fits. At this age, teens are also their most self-conscious, and overly large breasts can take a real emotional toll. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Frank L. Stile understands how delicate macromastia is, not only for teenage girls dealing with it but also their parents, who may worry about the effects of a breast reduction on their child’s growing body.

HOW DOES BREAST REDUCTION WORK?

Many primary care doctors are concerned that adolescent patients will have continued breast growth after a breast reduction, making them reluctant to refer them to plastic surgeons. However, Dr. Stile firmly believes optimal timing of a breast reduction should be based on the individual patient’s physiology, mental maturity, and the benefit to their quality of life.

The procedure itself has various techniques that achieve the same goal: to reduce the glandular and fatty tissues in the breasts to reduce their overall size. This will relieve neck, shoulder, and back pain, improve the quality of the skin to minimize rashes, and give the patient an overall better breast-to-hip ratio to improve her proportions. Incisions are made around the areola and down and across the inframammary fold. In cases where significant tissue is being removed, the nipple and areola may need to be completely repositioned.

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO GET A BREAST REDUCTION?

The biggest hesitation in performing a breast reduction on teens is their chance for continued breast tissue growth, which may lead to a revision procedure in the patient’s early 20s. In Dr. Stile’s practice, women as young as 15 years of age have had breast reduction surgery. A study published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons has shown that the patient’s weight can impact the early onset of menstruation, contributing to macromastia and the growth of the breasts for a longer duration. This is why Dr. Stile would determine on a case-by-case basis if breast reduction is right for a teenage girl.

For many teens, the relief a breast reduction would bring is worth the potential risk of a revision reduction at a later time, particularly if continued growth is expected for already large breasts. Dr. Stile recommends a breast reduction for individuals who understand the risks, have realistic expectations for the outcome, and are mature enough to undertake the procedure and its recovery. That does mean some patients under the age of 18 can have a breast reduction at Stile Aesthetics.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE LIKE?

Your breast reduction will take place in the Premium Surgical Services Center by Dr. Stile with the greatest attention to your safety and comfort. The process to ready you for your procedure is thorough and detailed, designed to answer all your questions and ease your mind. Your procedure itself would likely be performed under general anesthesia and take between 2-4 hours. Afterward, you’ll awaken with a surgical bra to support your newly shaped breasts. After some observation, we’ll release you to recover in the comfort of your home.

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

You’ll notice immediately that your breasts are between 1-3 cup sizes smaller on average and that the weight bearing down on your shoulders and neck is reduced. Better posture will be easier to maintain, and you’ll feel better about how well your clothes fit. For many patients, having a breast reduction is the best decision they’ve made for their mental health. Instead of expending the mental energy on keeping your social circle from noticing your breasts so much, you can focus on what matters—living your life to the fullest.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Please fill out the form on this page to request an in-person consultation and one of our knowledgeable medical staff members at Stile Aesthetics will reach out to you promptly. You can also call our office directly at (702) 761-3112.

Stile Aesthetics serves Las Vegas, NV & Surrounding Areas.