Is there an ideal age for a breast reduction surgery? It all depends on your unique situation.
When is the best time?
Dr. Comizio is often asked if there is an ideal age to have breast reduction surgery. Of course, it is always important to consider the personal situation and health of each patient. Dr. Comizio will always be upfront and honest in her response. The ideal age for each individual depends on the answers to a series of questions. Typically, women looking for a breast reduction have large, natural breasts that cause them medical issues, including pain in the neck, back, and/or shoulders, deep and painful shoulder indentations from bra straps, and even migraine headaches. On the surface, it is logical to think the best time to have a breast reduction procedure performed is sooner rather than later. Often, a breast reduction can help alleviate pain and provide comfort and relief. However, it’s important to consider your goals for the future.
Women of childbearing age
One of the primary reasons Dr. Comizio believes that timing of a breast reduction is personal, is because many women of childbearing age have different goals for family planning. Among those who think or know they want to have children, there are different goals and desires for breastfeeding. Breast reduction surgery includes incisions through breast ducts and can impact future breastfeeding – however, it is still possible to breastfeed after having breast reduction surgery. Success with breast feeding is not always guaranteed – regardless of whether a woman has had surgery on their breasts. Therefore, a general rule of thumb is if a women feels 100% confident she would like to breastfeed her children, it is usually recommended to wait until after they have completed pregnancy and lactation before having surgery. If there are issues breastfeeding, it will also help eliminate breast reduction surgery as the cause. If a mom is open to formula feeding due to issues with breast feeding, it may be beneficial to have a smaller, more comfortable breast size prior to having children to alleviate any additional pain or issues.
Breast size
Most women experience a fluctuation in their breast size with any hormonal changes, pregnancies, weight gain or menopause – which can all increase breast size. It’s important to keep that in mind when deciding on a breast reduction. Sometimes, when women decide to have a reduction in cup size and then go through body changes, they may end up with the same size in which they started. Cup size is a personal preference based on size of origination, activity level and future goals.
What is too young or too old?
Depending on a variety of factors, some females may qualify as breast reduction candidates when they are as young as 15, although some insurance providers require patients to be at least 16 years old to receive coverage. However, there are no official age restrictions currently set in place for breast reduction. The same applies to women later in life. Breast reduction is common among mature women 50-60 years old due to hormone changes and possible weight gain from menopause. A thorough evaluation is critical at any age to assess a patient’s health, skin condition, emotional maturity and goals.
The importance of a consult
There are a variety of things to consider when it comes to determining the right age to have a breast reduction performed. Each candidate is different and unique, and therefore, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. A consultation with Dr. Comizio will give you an opportunity to discuss your medical issues associated with large breasts and family planning goals. She partners with each patient to determine the best possible timing to proceed with your breast reduction surgery.
To schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Comizio regarding breast reduction surgery, call (973) 775-9248.
