FYI Teens & Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery is for adult women. Macromastia is the condition in which women have abnormally large breasts. Of course, to some degree this is subjective. What may seem too large to one woman, may not to another woman. Despite this, at some point overly large breasts can become burdensome causing damaging physical symptoms. Recently, there has been controversy about a teenage girl with very large breasts. This troubles me because the school she attended suggested to her mother that the girl have breast reduction surgery. Cosmetic surgery for teens is controversial, but to have it be suggested by officials at an institution has many more implications. Bullying has become rampant at many levels in our society, mobbing at the workplace, and even sexual harassment in the schools. I do not know that cosmetic surgery on teens is justified by bullying. There are programs being set up in the schools to prevent bullying, and these programs should be sought out and supported. A good resource is the government’s Stop Bullying program.

Teenage macromastia is sometimes referred to as Virginal Breast Hypertrophy (VBH). Hormones are the main factor involved with VBH. In most cases, both breasts develop abnormally large and early at the same rate, and sometimes they develop asymmetrically. The onset is at puberty with the corresponding surge of hormones. The diagnosis of VBH involves a comparison of overall body stature with breast size as the actual amount of breast tissue. Sometimes obesity plays a part in overly large breasts. Diet and exercise should be part of a regime before breast reduction surgery is considered. Eating disorders have also been associated with young women psychologically disturbed by negative body image due to overly large breasts.

Some surgeons believe it is acceptable to perform breast reduction for this condition as early as 16 years of age, and others believe it is best to wait until later, to be sure the breast is finished developing, in the early or mid-20s. Surgeons who endorse early breast reduction procedures do so because they believe that missing out on physical activity overly large breasts prohibit can also injure a young woman developmentally. Those who do perform breast reduction surgery for younger women must be clear with the patient that another surgery may be needed later. The breast tissue may continue to grow, and another breast reduction surgery may be needed in the future. For many teens, the social, physical, and psychological consequences of VBH makes the surgery worthwhile. But psychological maturity must also be taken into consideration. Even if an adolescent knows she will feel better now, she does not know how she might feel later in life. It is also imperative to consider the young woman’s desire to breastfeed if and when she has children later in life. An assessment of the adolescent’s emotional, psychological, and physical maturity should guide in the decision-making process. And the request should always come from the young woman herself, not an adult. It is only after the request is made that the young woman’s parents, the young woman, and a surgeon should consult about the options. Realistic goals and fully understanding the risks, benefits, and limitations of breast surgery are critical.

At Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, breast reduction surgery is reserved for mature, adult women. I will normally only perform otoplasty and rhinoplasty for teenagers. Arkansas women who want breast reduction surgery visit for a consultation.

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up a consultation at 501-227-0707