Question regarding Breast Reduction in under 18 year-olds
Question:
Hello, I am 12 years old and I would like to get a Breast Reduction. I am 5ft and size 32C.
I don’t suffer from any health problems due to their size, so I understand that I don’t really need it: I only want it because I feel my breasts are too big and I want to be able to exercise and look good in clothes I wear.
What are the risks that I will be taking if I had a Breast Reduction? Thank you for your advice.
Answer:
Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately we do not usually perform Breast Reduction surgery on people who are 12. This is because your bust has not fully developed.
Most Plastic Surgeons prefer to wait for you to be 18 before thinking about possible surgery. In some cases Breast Reduction surgery can be performed earlier – this is normally when your bust develops very quickly to a G or H cup which causes back and neck ache as well as difficulty wearing clothes.
In terms of risks and side effects of Breast Reduction surgery, although Breast Reduction procedures are normally safe, any surgical procedure carries an element of risk which is why it must be thought through very carefully and discussed at length with your Surgeon.
By researching and going to a good, BAAPS-registered Surgeon and equally competent anaesthetist you significantly decrease these risks. You should expect to need 1-2 weeks off work to recover, and approximately 6-8 weeks to return to your maximum normal daily activities.
The slight possibility of not being able to breastfeed after Breast Reduction (though this is not always the case), decreased sensitivity in the nipples and extent of scarring should also be discussed thoroughly with your surgeon and carefully weighed up.
Aurora Clinics offer consultations with our surgeons to discuss your options and talk about the pros and cons of surgery in more detail. Please feel free to contact us on 01324 578290 if you feel we can be of any more help.
With Best Wishes,
The Aurora Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Team