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Hi, I'm writing to your message board because I've recently been very upset over the idea of my girlfriend having a BR operation. She is 17 and has 34C size bra. I, as well as a few of her family members find this rediculous. I want to know just how this can help or become a problem? One reason she would like this operation is to reduce risk of breast cancer. How viable is this? She is 17. They surgeons have said they will remove 200grams per breast. I've thought that this procedure may be more detremental than helpful. The scarring, the pain, and any risk of complications. Understandably if she had much larger breasts or was middle-aged I dont think i would see this as so unnecessary. Please let me know if there would be any benefit and any risks to this procedure!
She has experienced back pain most of her life and she thinks it may be due to her breasts. The surgeon has said it may or may not help. I have told her everything that i have researched myself as well as information my mother (who has breast cancer) has learned through her experiences. She has told me she plans to research information even though she has already been to pre-op and scheduled surgery. (Dont you think you should research first?). Another concern i have is emotional distress post-op. She is already quite depressed and I feel like this operation will just add to her distress. She has also "backed out" of the operation multiple times--This indicates to me that she probably may not really need or want this operation in the long run. Another fact that i am not sure is relevent is as follows:
Her mother (rather her aunt, she is her legal guardian), was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer a few months ago and went in for a single-breast mastectomy. Her mother asked her cancer plastic surgeon about possibility of a reduction and when she found out it is covered in full under their insurance took my girlfriend in for an appointment. After the first visit the surgeon said "yes we can do that" whether it helps [with back problems] or not. My girlfriend's Aunt (not legal guardian) has told me that my girlfriend's "mother" has always viewed my girlfriend's breasts as too large (maybe this is because the females in the mother's family all have generally small breasts A, maybe B cup.) I feel like that may have been one reason to push my girlfriend more to having this operation. She is not overweight and her breasts are proportional to the rest of her.
She does not intend on having this operation for cosmetic reasons, her reasons are medical. From what i've read on the internet, reductions are mostly indeed in women with much larger breasts and generally benefits for reducing cancer are only if large amounts of breast tissue are removed or the woman is a bit older, 30-40's. As for social problems, her breasts have not seemed to cause any problems, one factor being that they are not unusually large--from what i understand C is one of the most desireable sizes.
Anxiously awaiting a reply,
Adam
In Reply to: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by Adam K. on March 19, 2002 at 21:56:03:
There is NO WAY that breast reduction surgery will lower her risk of breast cancer - she needs to educate herself. She is way too young anyway to make a decision to have a surgery like this and her breasts are not so oversized. Yes she may be uncomfortable with her size now but later she may not. Have the surgeon show her lots of pictures of before and after so she can see the EXTENSIVE SCARS she will have. Does she know how and where they cut? All the way around each nipple (they are removed and repositioned), straight down and all along the underside middle to the armpits!) She will NOT be able to breastfeed, has she considered that? She also will risk never having nipple sensation again.
I had a breast lump removed in August and let me tell you, my breast is still hard and full of scar tissue. I have pain sometimes too, and I have to massage to get the lymphs to drain there. My scar is probably less than 1/10th what she would have.
I used to be a 34D and I am very small framed. I went through a period of time where I was CONVINCED I wanted breast reduction. I thank God I did not go through with it!!!!!!!! I have had 2 kids and am a very happy and shapely 34-36 C now. I breastfed and am glad I did!
I now realize that it was my distorted body image of my youth that was making me feel unrealistically unhappy with my shape. Everyone else was envious of my shape, but I wouldn't/couldn't see it.
I hope she will AT LEAST read this note and decide not to rush into anything. She can always have it when she is 30, if she still wants to (but she won't want to!)
In Reply to: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by Adam K. on March 19, 2002 at 21:56:03:
Hi, Adam.
Time for your girlfriend to grow up! Get her to read kmd's note.
ANY surgeon who would perform such surgery on a foolish girl, for those reasons, should not be practicing! Perhaps if she was a 40 DD..............
There are already known many things anyone can do to reduce the chances of breast cancer that do not involve surgical mutilation.
Perhaps she will want to have her head removed to prevent brain cancer???????
If she goes ahead with this, you would be wise to find another girl friend. This one is terminally flawed.
Walt
In Reply to: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by Adam K. on March 19, 2002 at 21:56:03:
Thank you for your replies, they are much appreciated. If anyone else can tell their views and experiences it is also much appreciated.
Adam
In Reply to: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by Adam K. on March 19, 2002 at 21:56:03:
One of my coworkers had her breasts reduced approx. five years ago because they really were too big, and were affecting her quality of life. They got bigger with each of her two pregnancies, and she's not that obese either. The down side is, that since the reduction surgery has occurred, she has had lumps come up of dead breast tissue, which she then gets removed. So, what she has left in breast tissue, continues to get smaller, as she gets more and more of these lumps, plus she's constantly having to have mammograms and other tests, to make sure that that's what these lumps are. She commented the other day, that if these lumps continues, and she has to keep getting them out, she's not going to have any breast tissue left. I really don't think that she would have gone through the surgery again if she realized that this was a possible side effect.
In Reply to: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by Adam K. on March 19, 2002 at 21:56:03:
In Reply to: Re: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. (Archive in breasts.) posted by Walt Stoll on March 20, 2002 at 10:31:52:
Walt my daughter has a 42DDD and sometimes 42F. She has a strong back, a good diet and a sence of humor. Personally, I wear 40DDD. I love my body, and I would never let anyone talk my daughter or myself into some female-hating, disfiguing operation, nomatter what the excuse. Nobody needs breast reduction.
In Reply to: Re: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. (Archive in breasts.) posted by Linda J. on March 21, 2002 at 19:40:34:
I have a dear friend who had a reduction operation at the age of around 36...not everyone is the same, Linda. She is FAR from being a female hating, self loathing, insecure person! In fact she is a body builder, and also has a strong back, but was experiencing a lot of discomfort in her shoulders from her bra straps (not sure of her exact size before the surgery). I have a feeling her breasts "got in the way" a lot too since she leads a very physical lifestyle in general. She thought about it, consulted and researched and decided to do it. Two of her buxom aunts encouraged it, since they started to have back trouble as they got older. She's been thrilled with the results and would do it all over again I'm sure. The result was not disfiguring at all. She's a C cup now which looks great on her somewhat large frame. It's a personal choice and if one makes it for the right reasons, I don't see anything wrong with it.
~~~8>
In Reply to: "nobody" is a big word. posted by labrat on March 22, 2002 at 09:10:00:
Thanks, labrat.
The voice of reason. Nobody IS a big word.
Namaste`
Walt
In Reply to: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by Adam K. on March 19, 2002 at 21:56:03:
First I would like to thank everyone who replied for their help and insight to my question/situation. I'm much relieved that I WONT be looking for a new girlfriend anytime soon. She has decided not to go through with this. Its made both of us (and many friends) much happier people. Thank you all again for your help!
In Reply to: Re: Breast reduction in teenagers, not large breasts. posted by kmd on March 19, 2002 at 23:00:36:
I had a breast reduction over 7yrs ago. Best thing I ever did for myself. My back doesn't hurt so much anymore, my shoulders don't have 'rivers' in them from the bra straps and I feel free to move around without fearing possible damage to bystanders. I was a 36DD but my build is not large enough to support that. Besides, I got tired of carrying them around in my hip pockets. My body image is much better now than it was and that makes my outlook a lot brighter on lots of other things.
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