A teenager who is trying to save money for a much needed breast reduction has revealed her chronic health struggles.
Melbourne teen Elizabeth Forbes has been waiting for a breast reduction for the past three years.
The 17-year-old told Daily Mail Australia her breasts have grown about seven cup sizes since she started high school and is currently a 14HH.
She said her breasts have caused chronic health issues including neck, shoulder and back pain, continuous skin issues and divots in her shoulders.
'There's definitely lots of health problems associated with it, like back, neck and shoulder pain,' Elizabeth said.
'I also have skin problems from the weight of my breasts on my skin. In the summer, when it's hot, I'm constantly getting heat rashes too.'
The Year 11 student said playing sports and exercising was also off the table due to the size of her breasts.
'Running for me is totally not an option. I can't run. I haven't been able to play sports for a long time. I swim and I walk, and that's about the extent of it,' she said.
Melbourne teen, Elizabeth Forbes (right) told Daily Mail Australia her breasts have grown about seven cup sizes since she started high school and is currently a 14HH
The teenager said she, along with her mum Sarah, spoke with their GP about getting a breast reduction.
She explained her GP was very 'supportive' despite doctors typically 'shutting down' minors and advising them to wait until they turn 18 or even 25 - in case of a second puberty.
'Me and my mum have talked about this for a long time because it's always been an issue for me,' Elizabeth said.
'I've been told wait until you turn 18, but preferably 25 is when they want you to wait because then there's no chance of extra growth, or a second puberty.
'But like me, my mum decided it's causing too many issues, and we're ready to just get it done.'
Her mum described her daughter's breasts as 'debilitating' and 'not fit for her size', a view that was backed up by Elizabeth's surgeon.
'It's hard to watch her struggle with things that other teenagers may find more straightforward,' Ms Forbes told Daily Mail Australia.
'She's also had unwanted attention since she was far too young and I can't protect her from that.
'It's something she has had to live with.
'Having the surgery isn't going to change the world, but I think it will make a big change to the way she experiences and engages with her everyday life.'
Along with the growing list of health issues, Elizabeth said her breasts have severely impacted her self-esteem and ability to find clothes that fit.
'As I teenager, I have never been able to wear the same things as my peers,' she said.
'I have to wear plus size due to my breasts and the plus size clothing industry is terrible, it doesn't make clothes for teens.
'I often find when I'm shopping all of the clothes in my size range, like they're just not something that I want to wear.
'And same with in summer, forget trying to find swimwear. All of the clothes that they sell for my size, it just really ages me.'
Elizabeth was told by her surgeon that waiting three years or longer to have the surgery through the public hospital system would be 'detrimental' to her health
Elizabeth explained her breast reduction isrequired for health reasons and is only covered by Medicare through the public health system.
However, she added there was a minimum three-year wait time for the surgery.
'My surgeon said waiting those three years could cause lifelong issues for my body, especially my shoulders, and waiting that long just really shouldn't be an option.
'It shouldn't be so hard to get this done when it's a medical condition. It's not just plastic or cosmetic surgery, it's for my health.'
Elizabeth has started a GoFundMe to try and raise money so that she can have her surgery sooner through private treatment.
'I have finally decided to start the process of me getting a reduction and it is not cheap,' she wrote.
'My chest is considered a medical issue, however, reduction surgery is through private health.
'In no means do I expect to meet my money goal but anything helps.'
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe has received 15 donations totalling $280 and has the goal of raising $24,000 - which is just under the total cost for the procedure.
Elizabeth added the process of trying to have a breast reduction has shown her that the procedure is almost inaccessible to minors who need it for medical reasons
Elizabeth said she is excited to have the surgery and be able to exercise freely and go shopping with friends.
She added the process has shown just how inaccessible the procedure is for those seeking a breast reduction for medical reasons, especially in the case of minors.
'I'm very open about this subject and I really try and advocate for it to become more accessible,' Elizabeth said.
'I've had quite a few other young people reach out to me around the same age as me, who have just been completely shut down by doctors and told that they're a minor and they have to wait. But in reality, waiting can do so much more damage.
'So I think for me, it's just really important for people to be made aware that this is an issue, because it's not talked about very much.'
According to the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne's website, breast reduction surgery can be 'performed at any age'.
However, the hospital advises the procedure is 'best done when breasts are fully developed'.
