Answer: Yes, many women your age do undergo reduction mammaplasty. In fact, your age group is one of the more common among women seeking consultation for breast reduction surgery. Enlargement of the breasts usually occurs during phases of life when there are elevated levels of female sex hormones. These periods include puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Shortly after these periods is when women begin to experience worsening symptoms from the excessive size and weight of the breasts and then seek help. The majority of women who undergo breast reduction are young adults (teens or 20s) who have had no pregnancies. Most of the others are women who have recently had their last planned pregnancy or women who have experienced more breast enlargement during recent menopause.

If you have true breast hypertrophy (glandular overgrowth) and significant related physical symptoms such as backache, then breast reduction surgery may be indicated. Non-surgical treatments including weight loss and physical therapy should be attempted prior to surgery. If these fail to improve symptoms, then I see no reason why a 22 year old should postpone surgery. Your quality of life will most likely improve with the resolution of these symptoms. Why wait to take advantage of that?