Women pursue breast reduction for a number of reasons and at varying stages of their lives.
Some women have breast reduction surgery for aesthetic reasons while others get it to alleviate physical issues, such as back, neck, and shoulder pain.
The age at which women pursue breast reduction surgery varies as well. Some women are teenagers accompanied by a parent or guardian and others are up to 80 years old.
Below, the team at Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery discusses why there isn’t a “right age” for breast reduction surgery.
Breast Reduction in Younger Patients
Middle school and high school can be challenging times, and young women with large breasts may be teased, harassed, or bullied for their appearance.
At this stage, actually having the surgery isn’t feasible since young women may not be done growing. But they can discuss their options for the future and feel more at ease knowing there is a solution.
Breast Reduction for Women in Their 20s and Early 30s
Issues linked to having large breasts may be more noticeable in a woman’s 20s and 30s, and some women decide to have breast reduction surgery at this point.
Other women, however, may be concerned about scarring or their ability to breastfeed should they decide to have children.
While any surgical procedure does produce scars, experienced plastic surgeons are able to minimize the visibility of scars, and most patients are still able to breastfeed after having the surgery.
Breast Reduction for Women in Their Late 30s and 40s
At this point, many women are done having children and their breast size has stabilized after the hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy and nursing, making this a good time to have breast reduction surgery.
The effect of having large, heavy breasts, including back and neck strain, may also have become increasingly problematic.
Breast Reduction in Older Patients
Women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and older may notice an increase in breast size after going through menopause. They may also suffer from degenerative changes in the spine and chronic pain issues associated with having large breasts.
Having breast reduction surgery at this stage can reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Get in Touch
To learn more about breast reduction surgery and the best time for you to have the procedure, call or email the team at Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Graper or Dr. Garrett Harper, our highly experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons.