Breast Reduction Benefits Seen in Younger Patients

Overly large, heavy breasts can affect qualify of life for teens, young women

Breast reduction surgery is safe and effective for adolescents and young women whose lives are affected by excessively large breasts that cause pain and other concerns, says a study in the September 2019 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Breast Reduction is one of the most popular plastic surgical procedures performed in the United States. This is due to the enormous impact that large, heavy breasts can have on a woman’s quality of life and the physical and mental health improvements that surgery can provide.

Despite the fact that 80% of affected women first experience symptoms during adolescence, few studies in the past have focused on the risks and benefits in adolescents and young women.

Outcomes include less pain and other symptoms

The researchers, led by ASPS Member Surgeon Brian I. Labow at Boston Children’s Hospital, analyzed complications and their impact on quality of life in 512 patients from 12 to 21 years of age who had breast reduction between 2008 and 2017. Outcomes showed that the benefits of breast reduction surgery included less pain and other breast-related symptoms, while improvements were seen in physical well-being, psychosocial functioning and self-esteem.

About a third of patients developed some kind of complication. However, the “vast majority” of complications were minor. “Patients had significant postoperative improvements in their physical and psychosocial well-being regardless if they experienced a complication,” said the study.

The most common complication was thickened or raised scars (hypertrophic scarring), which occurred in 20% of patients. Those concerned about scarring were offered treatment with either surgery or steroid injection.

One concern about breast reduction in adolescents is the risk of breast growth after surgery. This occurred in about 5% of patients in the study, leading to the return of breast-related symptoms in about half of these cases. Noting that postoperative breast growth was unrelated to age, the researchers highlight the need to assess the maturity level of each patient individually.

Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Alabama Breast Reduction

Many women with overly large, heavy breasts find pain and discomfort to be a constant challenge. If excessively large breasts are causing symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder pain, call 205-980-1744 today to schedule your complimentary consultation with ASPS Member Surgeons Dr. William Hedden or Dr. Stephen Gunn at Hedden & Gunn Plastic Surgery.