Before you decide to undergo a breast reduction operation, there are a number of factors that you should consider. One of the first considerations is your age and state of physical development. Although some teenage girls may qualify for breast reduction surgery, most plastic surgeons prefer to delay the operation until a time when they can be sure that the patient has reached her full natural development. If the operation occurs before that time, additional breast growth can occur, resulting in reduced long-term success of the breast reduction procedure. Another age-related factor to consider is whether you plan to have or breastfeed any additional children. Because the process of carrying a child to term and then breastfeeding can change the shape of the breast and prompt additional tissue and skin changes, some patients prefer to delay their breast reduction operation until childbearing is complete. Talk to your doctor for more information about when the right time for your breast reduction procedure might be.