My 19-year-old daughter wants to have breast reduction surgery. She wears a 34DD, weighs about 130 pounds and is five feet two inches tall. She says her breasts often hurt, and she has a lot of trouble finding a good-fitting bra. She is also tired of the stares from people on the street. Is it advisable at her age? Will it in any way affect her ability to breastfeed her children? Is it worth the risk of general anesthesia?

-- Barb

If your daughter is that physically uncomfortable from her large breasts, then she should certainly have a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss the possibility of breast reduction surgery. At age 19 she is not too young to have the procedure done, and assuming she is healthy, the risks of general anesthesia are small.

Whether she will be able to breastfeed in the future depends on the technique used during the surgery. Most plastic surgeons today use a technique that preserves the nipple complex and its attachments to the underlying breast tissue. If this is the case, then there is a fairly good chance that breastfeeding will be successful. However, it cannot be guaranteed. Your daughter will have to weigh that risk, along with all the other surgical risks, against the benefit of having a breast reduction. A good plastic surgeon will explain all the pros and cons, but ultimately only your daughter can make a decision about what is best for her.