Breast Hypoplasia Deformity in My 16 Yr Old

OK, this is weird: Dr. Phil had 5 or 6 medical experts on his show THIS week. Here it is,,, GET A SECOND OPINION! The panelists agreed that a good doctor wants you to be comfortable with their advice, so they are fine with you seeking another opinion.
Consider Children's Medical Center. They have over 40 clinics that specialize in various conditions and body parts. They work with each other so if another specialist can help, you can get it all. She is not too old at 16.

My guess would be that, if breast hypoplasia results in 3x the risk of cancer over your daughter's life span her risk is still low enough right now that depression over the condition is a MUCH bigger issue for a 16 year old girl.

I had a student with this problem - her family and physicians got insurance to cover the implant because of "severe and profound psychological impact the condition has caused - this is a treatment no different from a reconstructive surgery after mastectomy".

The child (well, she's a 22 year old woman now - she was 17 when she had the surgery) looks and more importantly feels 1000% better.

S.

Please consider her future desire to breastfeed. She may have no idea what she wants, but as a mother, you should provide her the best advantages to being a Mother herself. A implant CAN severely impact this ability. A fake-implant (i.e. gel-boob) can suffice until she's of age to make an adult decision knowing all the impacts.

Thank God , it isn't breast cancer
I have a video that I can send you , it is called the "Silent Killer INFLAMMATORY Breast cancer. it is from the TV station
KOMO Channel 4. let me know, it is very informative about these kind of breast problems.

God bless you.
also look into natural alternatives and as the last resort get the implants, they have lots of side effects.

Oly

I have this, although they didn't really give it a name when I went to the doctor when I was an early teen. I was a small A/med B cup. The small one always was very lumpy-fibrocystic breast disease and when I was 22 had a benign mass removed from it just because it stayed constant throughout a few cycles, unlike the typical changes when the lumps/breast soreness would decrease when not on my period. I had the extreme tenderness in both breast (more the little one) until I had kids and nursed. I was also 30 when I had my first child so some of that decrease was the natural softening of the breasts with age. No one every discussed implants with me--just 'live with it'. I sewed pads in my bra cups, swimsuit shopping/wearing was traumatic. Now, at 45, I just wear a slightly padded bra with plenty of uplift because I've got the sag because of age/nursing--the size difference isn't so obvious with less fibrous breasts. My size difference wasn't as marked as your daughter's--I know how much it effected me (group showers @ school/sports, how my clothes looked) and I had to really focus on the fact that it was a cosmetic thing and not a life-endangering thing--it was tough! Also, there are more options now, like an implant or much more natural prosthetic bra inserts if you are not ready for that step yet (or ever). Everyone has a bit of a size difference and so many people told me that when I was growing up--it's really tough when the difference is so much. Good luck-

I have no experience with this exact issue, but my mom and other women in my family have implants. My mom's were saline, but done about 15 years ago. Now, they still look pretty much the same (which I think is odd because she's almost 50) except they are extremely hard. My mom says another woman in our family has the same problem. If you lay on her, they feel like rocks. She also has always had the protruding nipples. They are always hard. I don't know what caused this exactly, but she has been wanting to get them out for years. The Dr. doesn't think anything burst or went wrong, that's just what happened over time. They are painful to her. If you look into implants, the problems that can occur are horrible and can be life-threatening. I would look into a reduction instead. I am absolutely against implants. Even if I had to have a masectomy, I would just be flat. Big breasts don't make a woman a woman. I know that's not the reason your daughter would be getting the implant, but I think going smaller in this case is probably safer.

I found this very interesting because my son was born with an undescended testicle and also has an increased risk of cancer. Call your doctor and discuss this with her. Maybe she didn't want to talk to you about the cancer risks until later, after the implant and she sees what she is dealing with. Maybe there are tissue markers or what not that she can see once she goes in. Either way, open communitcation with a professional is the best source of information...you can find ANYTHING on the internet to support ANY position.

I have worked for a Plastic Surgeon in the past and have seen young girls with this condition. To answer your last question, yes often times a implant(saline) works very nicley to make the breasts more symmetrical in appearence. The saline implant can be adjusted in volume to provide a better match,silicone can not be adjusted. The implant can be placed behind the muscle as not to interfer with the mammograms. Breast implants have not shown to increase you chances of breast cancer. I think you have to look at your daughter's self image as she begins to get older. Many girls said they wanted to look "normal" so they could wear the clothes everyone else does, even swimsuits. Cancer? Well what is the increase risk? What is the percent? The question maybe what if any thing would your daughter do differently knowing she might have a increased risk? I am adopted and well I know nothing about my family history so just follow the health guidelines that everyone else does, I check my breasts in the shower and get routine mammograms. Talk also to you family doctor.

Okay, I've never replied to anything on the computer before...is there a space limit??? Because I have a lot to say. I am 38 years old and I have what YOU call hypoplasia. My grandmother also had it, one of her 5 daughters has it and one of my cousins also has it and also one of my three daughters has it so, if you are asking does this run in families, I have to say yes, at least in mine...You also have to realize that back then (for my grandmother and aunt) this was not openly discussed...I was 17 before my parents even found out that mine were so different (in the the 80's) and their first response was to want to get it (them) fixed. I wasn't so sure. Deformity??? NO, I call it being different. I have lived with this since I was 12. I had sonograms and mammograms before my mother ever did. I have a prosthetic bra w/an insert of either silicone, or saline,I've had both over the years, on the OUTSIDE of my body and let me tell you this, I will never want them on the INSIDE of my body because they bust usually after or around 3-4 years of use, not actually like a balloon but gradually so that I usually do not even realize it for a while and if that is happening on the outside of my body, how would I know if it were on the inside??? I take off my bra/insert to sleep and shower. You can swim with it, do most anything...You can not look at me and say, "Wow, her breasts are different sizes..." People do not know this about me unless I decide to tell them, my friend that e-mailed me this found out after we had been friends for about 8 years because I TOLD her but she never guessed, or saw a difference in the size of my breasts. I was unable to breastfeed my children because I never got milk, no one ever said if it was because of my being different, so I can offer no advice on that. I'm begging you to get her to a good store that sells the prostetics/prosthesis and if it is a good store, they will measure her differences and find a prosthesis that evens them out for now and that alone will improve the way she feels. It is called a bra fitting, go with her and have one yourself, you might just find that you are not wearing the right kind of bra for your body...My "little one" never grew as I got older. As for my daughter, we decided (with a Dr.) to wait unitl she finally quits growing to decided if implants are the right thing to do for her. She will be the one making that decision as she has lived with me for the past 16 years and knows how I feel. It is her life. Please do not call it a deformity in front of your daughter or let the doctors do that, it is degrading. We are different.

I am sorry to hear about your daughter's deformity.

I have hypoplasia. My breasts were both just very underdeveloped (mostly nipple facing downward), but they were roughly the same size (AA). I never knew it was an official "deformity," just thought I had ugly breasts. When I got my first real job, I quickly saved up for implants. That's when the doctor told me about the hypoplasia. I thought he told me it was hereditary....is that correct?

While implants were great in the beginning, over the past 13 years they look different than most women with implants (still huge nipples facing downward). I just count on very good bras to hold them up.

Most of the issue was cosmetic in my case. I couldn't breastfeed my children because I am missing most of the tissue/glands that work to make milk. I didn't know there was a link between hypoplasia and breast cancer. I guess I should read up on it. I am not aware of any other risks that come with the deformity.

Feel free to email me directly if you have anymore questions. It's not a topic that I've ever really discussed openly because I've never heard of anyone who has it, let alone knows what it is.

My sister sent me this link because she thought I may be able to contribute. I didn't have hypoplasia but I did have a breast reduction at 16 y/o.

This was 24 years ago and medical practices and procedures have changed dramatically. I never regreted the reduction until I gave birth and was unable to breast feed. Though I had been told at 16 that would be the case, at 16 I just didn't care, at 36 I did care. To be fair though some milk was there initially and it could have had more to do with other health factors I have than the actual surgery so many years prior.

It doesn't sound like your daughter reduction would be as extreme as mine was. My breasts were so large there were no bras that fit me. They removed FIVE POUNDS of flesh (NOT FAT) from my breasts which necessitated removing and replacing the nipples.

Granted I'm not a licensed medical provider but going from a C to an A is much less drastic. I am concerned about implants into such a young person, even saline implants are putting a foreign substance into the body.

I am also concerned that your "specialist" didn't cover ALL the bases with you. This type of medicine infuriates me. Patients have a right and a NEED to know ALL the options, risks, etc. so they can make informed decisions on what is right for them.

No surgery is simple, I think you're right to question things. I would go so far as to question it with a second physician. I don't know what area your in or if my old doc is still practicing all these years later. But I do remember he had GREAT communication skills (the first thing I look for in a medical provider) his name was Robert (Dickie) Peterson. He was in the Houston area.

If you have any questions I'd be happy to discuss what the recovery process was like etc. just let me know.

C.-WAHM to 4 y/o virtual twins
Owner: BeHappierAtHome.com
Texan transplanted in Washington State

Hi C.. I recently read a book in which the author had this same problem, and it talks about it. The book is called "Please Stop Laughing At Me" by Jodee Blanco. It is a book about bullying, and is a must-read for any parent, I believe. It would be an excellent book for your daughter to read...she will not feel as alone with this. She does talk about her breast deformity, the treatments, her doctors, all of it. Perhaps you can google the authors' name and find a website on her as well. Best of luck to you and your BEAUTIFUL daughter = )

C.,

contact Dr. Angela Lanfranchi, MD FACS, Beast Surgeon

http://www.surgerynj.com/lanfranchi.htm

Give her a call and get her advice....she is very knowledgable!

I will keep your daughter in my prayers!

Hello! While I have not experienced what she is dealing with, my daughter has a similar situation though maybe not quite two cup sizes different. And most of us as women have one breast that is smaller than the other. My daughter is in her 30s now and while I think you need to continue to explore all your options, maybe time is an option. I know that is NOT the easiest solution, but her body will probably continue to change as did my daughter's. She is sooo young to be considering a breat implant. I would suggest if she can wait, give it some time and see in a few years what changes may have occurred in her body as well as in the medical field. And why are they labeling it as a deformity? I mean I understand it is different but in my opinion her breasts are NOT deformed. So I guess they would have to consider most all of us have deformed breasts? Oh me. I will be praying you find the right solutions for her best health interest. bless you, E.

I have not experienced this in particular, but if I were you, I would get a second opinion, and be careful researching the internet. Unfortunately, you can get any information to confirm what you feel already. For example if you feel it will increase the risks you will find a ton of sites that say it does, if you feel it doesn't you will find a ton that agrees with that. I would call or visit the www.Komenaustin.com site. They have a lot of information, my mother-n-law just finished breast cancer treatment, and I would not wish that on anyone. There are things that we can be aware of and take precautions, the first step is just what you are doing get prepared and get the knowledge. Just make sure you go directly to the source for the information such as Komen, or the national breast cancer awareness...

If there were not an increased risk, for your daughter's sake, I would allow her to get the implant; the humiliation and embarrassment will do her more harm than not doing it. I do not think it matters on the age; she will always be self-conscious. It is sad but true, we as women compare ourselves entirely too much and cannot ever just accept us for us...I have a 20 year old daughter and she has been a size A for ever, and here recently the last year she is now a C, so there is time. I thought it was so funny when she called me (she is away at college) saying she has a bigger size…she was quite happy I did not think it bothered her that much, but I guess it did and I never asked. Good luck!

I am so glad that you are concerned about breast cancer. I am a lymphoma survivor, which is very closely related to breast cancer. Because of my history, I am continually researching the risks and preventative measures for my daughter. I am surprised he suggested implant instead of reduction. She is only 16 - her chest will still change and grow! Hypoplasia - did he say the one would never grow? That would be hard to believe at her age. Mine did not grow until I was 21!

If you are interested in hearing what I have learned, I have a recorded call ###-###-#### access code 637954# - lasts about 40 minutes and gives you an overview of the most important areas to consider when looking at female cancer concerns.

Thank you for being cautious with your girls. It's so important.
L.

I had a cup size difference when I first started developing breasts myself. It did finally remedy itself. I hope it all works out for you and your daughter.

I recommend if she gets the implant that it be the kind that can be easily inflated/deflated. The reason is because as she matures her breasts may change sizes, and when she gets pregnant and has a baby they may change some more. It would be terrible to have to have surgery again because they are once again lopsided!

S., mom of four girls

Get a second opinion. Your specialist may not have intended to leave something so important out but she/he is also human. Your proactive approach may be the only thing that will get your answer. With the teens - we have to be more sensitive about their body image. I can only venture to guess that your daughter is bothered, at the least, by all of this. Is she reading about it like you are?

Hi - I recommend that you seek another opinion. I had a breast reduction in 2000 and know 3 other women that have had breast surgery using
Shujaat Khan
800 8th Ave Ste 200
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
You can find more info on locateAdoc.com

He has no bedside manner but does wonderful work.
Best of luck and follow your instincts.
L.

One of my very best friends had the same thing, she finally got an implant when she was 26 with a husband and 3 kids. She's told me many many times how much easier teen life would have been if she could have had it corrected sooner. Instead she had to suffer through homemade bras stuffed on one side, swimming in huge tshirts to hide the stuffed bra, teasing in the locker rooms, etc. She said her implant was very easy, not much pain or healing time. She also had to have a breast reduction on the other side because it grew too large, she said the reduction was WAY harder on her than the implant. My suggestion is to go ahead with the implant as soon as you can. Discuss the cancer issue with your doctor, I'm sure he can answer all of your questions about it.