Aesthetic concern
Breast size and discomfort.
Overly large breasts are not only a matter of proportion. They cause daily physical strain — neck, shoulder, and back pain, and deep bra-strap grooves that a reduction can genuinely relieve.
Symptom relief
Physical and aesthetic
Short-scar
Preferred technique
AAAASF
Accredited surgical suite
Dr. Kirwan
Board-certified surgeon
Overview
Relief and proportion.
Breast reduction removes excess fatty and glandular tissue from breasts that are disproportionately large. Beyond a more pleasing profile and clothing that fits, it relieves the back, neck, and shoulder pain and the bra-strap grooves that come from carrying that weight.
Dr. Kirwan is a leader in reduction and lift techniques. He favors a short-scar approach to decrease the risk of “bottoming out,” and in some cases transplants a small amount of lower-breast tissue upward to restore natural fullness. Over time the scars pale and become almost unnoticeable.
Contributing factors
How it affects daily life.
Neck and back pain
Bra-strap grooves
Skin irritation
Activity limits
What you might notice
What patients report.
Pain
- Chronic neck ache
- Upper and lower back strain
- Shoulder tension and headaches
Skin
- Grooves from bra straps
- Rashes under the breasts
- Chafing and irritation
Activity
- Discomfort exercising
- Trouble finding bras
- Poor posture from the weight
Wellbeing
- Self-consciousness
- Difficulty with clothing
- Feeling out of proportion
Treatment options
A lasting solution.
Breast reduction
Removes excess tissue and reshapes the breast to a comfortable, proportionate size, relieving the physical symptoms.
Procedure detailBreast lift
For patients whose main concern is position rather than size, a lift reshapes without significant reduction.
Procedure detail
Medical content on this page is illustrative and is reviewed with Dr. Kirwan before any treatment is recommended. Images do not represent patient results.
Questions
Common questions.
Will the pain actually improve?
Most patients feel meaningful relief from neck, shoulder, and back symptoms because the mechanical load is reduced. It is one of the most satisfying procedures for that reason.
How visible are the scars?
A short-scar technique is used where possible. Scars are placed to stay hidden by clothing and swimwear and fade to pale lines over time.
Will I lose too much fullness?
The breast is reshaped, not flattened. Where needed, lower tissue is repositioned upward to keep natural upper-pole fullness.
Is there an age requirement?
Reduction is generally suitable from around age 15 once breast growth has been stable for about a year. Each case is assessed individually.
Next step
Set down the weight.
A consultation reviews your symptoms and goals to plan a reduction that relieves discomfort while keeping a natural shape.