Breast Reduction Procedure in Norwalk, Connecticut

Dr. Laurence Kirwan is one of the most experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Norwalk, Connecticut, and in the entire country. He is a recognized international leader in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He offers a superior level of knowledge, care and understanding to help you achieve the youthful, vibrant and contoured look you desire.

What is breast reduction surgery?

While breast implant surgery is the most popular and well-publicized type of cosmetic breast surgery, there’s another type of breast surgery that offers a considerable boost in happiness, comfort, and self-esteem to many women with overly large breasts: Breast Reduction surgery. This procedure also helps to relieve back pain, neck pain and other symptoms associated with heavy or pendulous breasts.

Breast reduction surgery is a procedure that removes excess tissue, including fatty tissue and glandular tissue, from breasts that are overly large. Although media perception is that large breasts are desirable, for women who have very large breasts, the experience can be an uncomfortable one, physically and emotionally. Breast reduction surgery aims to achieve two primary goals:

  • To help women who are self-conscious about their overly large breasts feel more attractive and self-confident and achieve a more pleasing profile (and find clothes that fit properly)
  • To help reduce or eliminate back, neck and shoulder pain and deep shoulder bra-strap grooves that develop as a result of supporting very heavy breasts
Breast Reduction

SEE THE TRANSFORMATIONS & BEAUTIFUL RESULTS

Before & After Photos

Call Our Office For More Information

New Patient: (475) 250-1581 | Existing Patient: (203) 838-8844

At what age can breast reduction surgery be done?

15 plus, when breast growth has been stable for one year. Parental consent is required for surgery under the age of 18. 

What is the procedure like?

Breast reduction procedures are usually performed on an outpatient basis, which means you can go home the same day you have your procedure. Most procedures use an incision that encircles the areola (the colored tissue surround the nipple) and extends downward to the crease underneath the breast. Sometimes, the incision is extended along the fold to form an upside-down “T” shape. The type of incision depends on several factors, including the shape and size of the breast and the amount of tissue that needs to be removed.

Once the incision is made, excess tissue will be carefully removed and the nipple and areola will be repositioned to suit the new breast shape. Depending on your needs, whether or not you hope to breastfeed in the future and your own preferences, the nipple and areola may be completely detached and repositioned or they may simply be lifted upward to a higher location on the breast without being detached from the vessels, nerves and supportive tissues. Finally, the breast will be reshaped and the incisions will be closed. Most procedures take about three to four hours.

Surgical technique

In very large breasted women who have completed childbirth and breast feeding or who do not mind losing the ability to breast feed, the nipple and areola can be removed and replaced as a free nipple-areolar graft after reducing the breast. This helps to prevent ‘fat necrosis’ or hardening of the breast after surgery as well as also avoiding the risk of an impaired blood supply to the nipple-areola if it were to remain attached. It also provides a very secure shape with fewer tendencies to “bottom out” after surgery. Nipple sensation is lost and the projection and color of the nipple and areola is also affected.

Enlarged ptotic breast left and ideal breast right
Inferior pedicle side view before and after

Large breasts are uncomfortable and unsightly. They put stresses on the shoulders and the upper back. Exercise is difficult and large breasts can be an embarrassment, especially for school –age girls. Surgery to reduce them gives an attractive shape that can improve posture and sense of well-being as well as overall quality of life.

Superior pedicle side view before and after
Superior pedicle front view before and after

Every Patient is a VIP

From your first consultation through your last follow-up visit, you will see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. He will be available to you before, during and after your procedure.

What is recovery like?

Immediately after your procedure, a dressing and special support garment will be applied to help promote healing and relieve swelling and discomfort. Most women can return to work in about a week to 10 days, but strenuous exercise may need to be avoided for several weeks to enable the area to heal properly. You’ll also need to avoid heavy lifting during healing. For a few days after surgery, you can expect to feel some discomfort which can be relieved with pain medication. Wearing a special supportive bra during this time can also help decrease discomfort. Follow-up visits will be scheduled once your surgery is complete, and you’ll also be provided with a complete set of instructions so you know what to expect throughout the recovery period.

Breast Reduction Lift

Breast reduction lifts have become increasingly popular in recent years. One of the reasons for the increase in popularity is the effectiveness of the results, helping women look and feel younger, more attractive and more confident. Breast lifts are often performed in combination with breast reduction surgery, resulting in breasts that are in better proportion with the rest of the body as well as providing a more pleasing profile.

Why have a breast reduction lift procedure?

Breasts can sag and “droop” for many reasons, including weight gain and loss, pregnancy, breastfeeding and good old gravity. Genetics and inherited breast shape can also play a role in how breasts develop with age. Breast reduction lift procedures aim to restore the breast to a natural teardrop shape while removing excess tissue that makes breasts appear flabby and overly large.

The procedure has four primary “targets” or “steps”:

  • reducing the size of the areola if it’s enlarged or stretched
  • repositioning and “lifting” the breast tissue to a higher position
  • repositioning the areola and nipple
  • removing excess tissue while remodeling the remaining tissue

Breast reduction lift procedures typically use an upside-down T-shaped incision that encircles the areola and then extends downward to the crease of fold under the breast where it extends outward horizontally on either side.

Recent advances mean better results

Dr. Kirwan is a leader in breast reduction lift procedures, using the most advanced techniques for optimal results in each patient. For most patients, he uses a “short scar” approach employing a smaller horizontal incision to decrease the risk of “bottoming out,” which occurs when the weight of the lower breast tissue eventually droops downward, tilting the nipple upward. In some women, a small portion of excess tissue removed from the pendulous portion of the lower breast may be “transplanted” to the upper breast, restoring natural fullness while significantly reducing the risk of bottoming out. This approach ensures the horizontal portion of the incision will be as small as possible, and in some cases it can be entirely eliminated. Over time, scars will turn pale and become almost unnoticeable.

Most procedures take about three to four hours to complete. Once the procedure is complete, a special drain will be placed in each breast to help remove excess fluid so swelling and discomfort are minimized. The drains will be removed the day after surgery. Sutures used during the procedure will be absorbed into the body, and no stitches need to be removed. Most women can expect to return to work in about a week, resuming normal daily activity in about three weeks. Gym workouts can be resumed in about six weeks, and any contact sports should be avoided for three months to enable the area to fully heal.

Teenage Breast Reduction: Common Questions for Parents and Daughters

The ideal age for surgery is between 16 and 20. At this age the breasts are completely developed. Although large breasts cause back pain and bad posture the major problem is psychological, and this is one of the few situations in which a psychological problem can be alleviated and often cured by surgery.
Ivo Pitanguy

Large breasts are uncomfortable and unsightly. They put stresses on the shoulders and the upper back. Exercise is difficult and large breasts can be an embarrassment, especially for school –age girls. Surgery to reduce them gives an attractive shape that can improve posture and sense of well-being as well as overall quality of life.

Surgery takes about 3-4 hours. All stitches are under the skin and are absorbable. The patient can go back to work in 7-10 days.

Liposuction under the arms to define the outer curve of the breast.

Conveniently Located

Our Norwalk, CT location is conveniently located in between Manhattan, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients regularly visit from across Connecticut (Stamford, Greenwich, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Trumbull), New York City and Westchester County (Manhattan, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Harrison, Rye, Armonk, Bedford, Pound Ridge), New Jersey and other neighboring cities/towns for their plastic surgery procedures. Our office is close to all New York Airports for patients who are coming from out-of-state or other countries.