Breast Reduction for Men 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, bright and contoured look you desire.
Key Highlights
- Gynecomastia is the excessive development of the breast gland in the male. Often associated with diet resistant fatty deposits as well.
- Enlarged breasts can occur as part of adolescence or later with age and weight gain.
- Gynecomastia is common in bodybuilders, those who use steroids, and marijuana users.
- Having enlarged breasts is a source of embarrassment and can make men avoid going shirtless on the beach.
- The majority of enlarged breasts are benign, and malignancy is rare
- Correction of enlarged breasts requires surgery which often includes liposuction plus removal of the gland under the nipple.
- Surgery is done through small incisions around the areola for gland excision and in the lower chest for the liposuction
- Recovery takes about two weeks and includes wearing a vest type garment to reduce swelling.
- Enlarged breasts after Massive Weight Loss (MWL)usually require more extensive surgery and longer scars and are often combined with other body-lifting surgery
- Breast reduction surgery can be done at the same time as liposuction of the abdomen and love handles
A Gynecomastia procedure can improve the contour of the chest and make the chest muscles more defined. In cases of MWL, excess skin can be removed, and the nipple can be lifted. Gynecomastia excision can restore a masculine youthful appearance to the chest.
Conveniently Located: Every patient is a VIP. For your gynecomastia / male breast reduction appointment, you will see Dr. Kirwan himself at every single appointment. Our Norwalk, CT location is conveniently located in between Manhattan, New York and New Haven, Connecticut. Patients regularly visit from across Connecticut (Stamford, Greenwich, Stratford, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, Darien, New Canaan, Trumbull), New York ( Manhattan, NYC, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, White Plains, Harrison), New Jersey and other neighboring cities/towns for their gynecomastia surgery and other plastic surgery procedures. Our office is close to all of the New York Airports for patients who are coming from out-of-state or other countries.
Breast Reduction for Men
Male breast reduction is different from breast reduction for females. The scar is usually limited to the lower half of the areola. The amount of tissue removed is usually quite small and consists of a small ‘disc’ of gland that is located under the areola. Liposuction is an important part of breast reduction in men since there is often a significant element of fat in the chest wall surrounding the gland. The areola usually does not need to be reduced in size and the nipple does not to be lifted.
In severe cases of gynecomastia and after MWL, there may be a need to remove a significant amount of breast gland as well as skin and to lift the nipple and shape the breast.
Gynecomastia excision is a popular procedure for men who want to look and feel more masculine, be able to go shirtless and be able to wear tight fitting tops.
Where Did Your Chest Go?
Adolescent overdevelopment, , steroid and Marijuana use as well as gravity, heredity, significant weight changes, and the natural aging process can result in chest enlargement.
Men typically notice chest enlargement in adolescence or later after weight gain or drug use. Youthful contours also diminish during the late 40s and early 50s. Skin laxity increases, and weight gain is associated with a sedentary lifestyle, inactivity, and a poor diet.
When to Consider a Breast Reduction Surgery
Chest contouring is a cosmetic procedure, meaning it is typically done for aesthetic enhancement. This is a highly personal decision. This increasingly popular procedure can be a great solution for many men who:
- Are between 16 and 70 years old
- Want to get rid of a feminine appearance to their chest
- Have excessive breast tissue chest area.
- Have areas of excess fat in the chest area
- Have an enlarged areola due to an enlarged breast gland.
- Would like to treat signs of chest enlargement, with or without additional body contouring procedures
Usually, a breast reduction and chest contouring are performed in isolation. Surgery may be combined with other procedures such as liposuction and body contouring of the abdomen and love-handles or facial cosmetic surgery such as a chin implant for a weak chin with or without liposuction of the neck.
Information for Kirwan Plastic Surgery Patients
The best decisions are informed decisions. Dr. Kirwan can help you learn more about breast reduction and excision of gynecomastia as well as body contouring in other areas. Dr. Kirwan can also discuss other treatment options, and provide more personalized answers based on your individual needs. You can schedule a consultation and services for various types of cosmetic surgery in Norwalk, with Dr. Kirwan.
Preparing for the Procedure
After making your decision and choosing a surgeon, the next step is a consultation. Be prepared to discuss:
- Your reasons, goals, and expectations for surgery
- Your medical history – including illnesses, conditions, allergies, treatments, previous procedures, and other risk factors that could affect the outcome of your procedure
- Use of any medications, vitamins, supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
- Any questions or concerns about the procedure – come prepared with a written list
- Plastic surgery risks and potential complications
During your consultation, Dr. Kirwan will examine your chest, as well as take photos to compare results before and after plastic surgery with a simulation. Dr. Kirwan will also show you examples of before and after results from his own patients.
What Happens During Gynecomastia Surgery
Surgery is normally performed under general anesthesia or conscious sedation with local infiltration anesthesia. Dr Kirwan will perform the surgery as discussed in your consultation.
Gynecomastia Procedure Options
Dr. Kirwan may perform one of several techniques, such as:
Liposcution alone
- Ideal for patients who have resilient skin
- Incisions are made to the side and beneath the breast area.
- Fat is suctioned out of the chest area
- This may be combined with Bodytite skin tightening
- Outcome: chest that appears more defined and tighter.
- Length: 1 to 2 hours
Liposuction Combined with Removal of Some Breast Tissue (most common procedure)
- Best method for patients who have enlargement of the gland as well.
- Incision is made in the lower half of the areolar.
- Excess breast tissue is removed, leaving a small remnant under the areola.
- Incisions are made to the side and beneath the breast area.
- Excess fat is removed with Liposuction
- This may be combined with Bodytite skin tightening
- Length: 2 to 3 hours
Additional Body Contouring
- Recommended for patients who have areas of diet and exercise resistant fat
- Great option for patients who want to target other areas of the torso.
- Multiple small incisions are made to suction fat and contour the abdomen and love handles.
- Length varies depending on the number of additional areas; approximately 1 to 2 hours and whether Bodytite is used to tighten skin.
Gynecomastia Results and Recovery
It may take some time to fully recover and see your final results after a chest reduction. However, many patients are able to return to work in about one week and resume other activities (like playing sports and working out) in approximately four weeks.
Following surgery, you may experience swelling and bruising. To help reduce swelling, Dr. Kirwan will suggest that you wear a compression garment continuously for two weeks and during the day for an additional two weeks.
Be sure to follow any instructions provided by Dr. Kirwan and his staff before and after your cosmetic surgery to ensure a smooth procedure and recovery.
SEE THE TRANSFORMATIONS & BEAUTIFUL RESULTS
Before & After Photos
Gynecomastia 2 months after surgery excision liposuction front view
KIRWAN TECHNIQUE for gynecomastia in massive weight loss patient. 51 year old after 200 lb weight loss. Excision of skin and gland and transposition of nipple on inferior pedicle. No vertical scar. No free nipple graft. Combined with upper body lift and brachioplasty. 4 months after surgery.
19 year old, massive weight loss patient after gynecomastia and skin excision with transposition of nipple areola, before & after superimposed 7 weeks