What would I need to do?

Thank you for asking. Many teens are candidates for a breast reduction. A teen with a parent/guardian should see a board certified plastic surgeon who can help determine eligibility and potential insurance coverage if applicable. Best wishes!

Your concerns are appreciated but due to your age, you must have your parent's approval to proceed until you are no longer a minor. So first, get their approval, then you must find a contracted surgeon who is a provider on your insurance panel. Your evaluation will discover your motivations and identify problems you attribute to your large breasts, determine if the weight removed will meet insurance guidelines, and inform you and your parents of the risks (there are many including scarring, asymmetry, loss of nipple sensation, and elimination of breast feeding) that you must be accepting of to have this done. Costs are determined by what kind of insurance policy your parents have and what the deductible is. Best wishes if you embark upon this journey as it can be rewarding for you but if done for the wrong reasons, a nightmare as well.

You are smart to do your research. Large breast size may certainly be causing your back pain and breathing issues. Most insurance pays for breast reduction if a number of clinical criteria are met. Start with discussing your symptoms with your primary care doctor. Request referral to an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, who is on your insurance list. Meet with the surgeon and learn about the procedure. He or she will submit the relevant information to your insurance company, then you can proceed. If no coverage is available, he or she can offer affordable options for surgery without insurance. Patients are overwhelmingly happy with their decision to have breast reduction. Best Wishes.