Westport, New Canaan, Ridgefield & All of Fairfield County
We understand the functional and social issues that result from enlarged breasts – and we’re specialists in solving these issues with breast reduction surgery.
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At Total Aesthetics, we understand how uncomfortable it is to live with large, heavy breasts – the back and neck pain, headaches, shoulder indentations as well as the unwelcome stares and difficulty buying clothes.
Dr. Joseph O’Connell of Westport, CT has performed hundreds of breast reductions since opening his practice in 1988, providing his patients with a more shapely and firm chest designed to fit their unique proportions. Dr. O’Connell has also published a scientific article entitled Optimizing Results of the Inverted-T Breast Reduction and a second article on the subject of marking the breasts in breast reduction.
During your consultation, Dr. O’Connell will review the various procedures for breast reduction that are available, including minimal incision techniques and “liposuction-only breast reduction” to help you determine which options are best for you. We will work with your insurance carrier to assist you in obtaining coverage for this procedure when medical necessity exists.
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure that resizes and reshapes the breasts by removal of glandular tissue, fat and skin.
As the breasts are reduced in size, they gain proportion with the body and an overall slimmer, more aesthetically appealing appearance results. In most cases the areola is made smaller and both the nipple and areola are moved to a higher, more attractive position. The breasts are usually contoured to produce a more ideal shape and sometimes liposuction of adjacent tissue is performed.
While most patients have functional symptoms associated with breast hypertrophy, some women desire smaller, shapelier breasts for purely aesthetic reasons. In general patients considering breast reduction should be:
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Breast Reduction before and 7 days following surgery.
This patient had overly large breasts and wide areola. Her breasts became ptotic as the lower pole descended past her inframammary crease and onto her abdomen due to the weight of her breast tissues. Her apex also pointed downward. Dr. O’Connell performed a breast reduction and areola reduction. At seven days post-op, her breasts have a more lifted, aesthetically pleasing shape with improved forward projection despite the modest swelling. The areolas decreased in size and are positioned centrally on the breast mound. Her results will only get better as the inflammation continues to resolve and the incisions heal.
Breast Reduction after 2 days
At two days post-op, her incisions have yet to heal. The fine, absorbable sutures will dissolve on their own and will not require removal. The breasts have not yet settled. There is prominent swelling and firmness, although her breasts appear noticeably smaller and more balanced immediately.
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Breast Reduction Before and 7 days following surgery on 70-year-old patient.
This 70-year-old patient’s breasts had shifted due to gravity and aging, causing her large, heavy breasts to descend onto her abdomen. As the volume shifted downward and ultimately past the lateral chest wall, the breasts took on a splayed appearance. Her nipple-areola complex also exhibited ptosis. During reduction mammoplasty, Dr. O’Connell removed the excess breast tissue using the anchor technique. He raised the nipple-areola complex to a more youthful position and decreased the size of her widened areola. In these photos, taken seven days post-op, you can see an early preview of her results. Her breasts are smaller and lifted off her abdomen. The tissues are still somewhat swollen and firm, but will relax and soften over time. The incisions are still fresh, and there is mild bruising, which should subside in a week or two.
Breast Reduction 14 days following surgery on 70-year-old patient.
The scar is in the early stages of healing. Redness around the incisions has visibly diminished. The tissues are beginning to settle down. As the inflammation subsides, the overlying skin appears more relaxed. The lollipop scar around the areola and down the center of the lower breast pole is beginning to heal nicely. The inframammary incision still appears raised and bumpy; However, the scar will flatten and fade as the sutures dissolve and scar remodeling occurs during the next 12 to 18 months. Her breasts are smaller and more harmonious in relation to her figure, even in this early stage of healing.
Dr. Joseph O’Connell, Total Aesthetics in Westport, CT
Unfortunately, every technique of breast reduction surgery produces scarring. The exact pattern and location of the scars can vary with the technique utilized. In the most commonly utilized technique, the scarring is in an “inverted-T,” or anchor type pattern (with additional scarring around the areola).
Breasts can be reduced in volume by removal of the fatty component, in a technique known as Liposuction Only Breast Reduction. This procedure has been incorrectly called “scarless breast reduction” because the scars are usually quite small. Unfortunately, most insurance carriers do not cover LOBR.
In our practice, breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty) is usually performed as an out-patient procedure with our patients returning to their homes on the day of surgery.
In many cases, breast reduction surgery cost is covered by health insurance plans. We will work with your insurance carrier to help obtain preauthorization and reimbursement for this procedure when medical necessity exists.
In our practice, most reduction mammoplasties are performed under general anesthesia.
All surgeries carry risks and potential complications. A thorough discussion of alternatives and risks is an important part of your preoperative consultation(s) with Dr. O’Connell. The most common complications of breast reduction surgery are bleeding, infection, unsatisfactory scarring, non-healing and/or loss of soft tissue, and asymmetry.
In our practice, almost all patients return home on the same day as breast reduction surgery. Your breasts are supported in a dressing and we’ll be asking you to elevate your torso to reduce swelling and discomfort. You’ll find that the postoperative discomfort is less than expected and you’ll usually be able to drive at about one week following your surgery. Returning to work depends upon the nature of your job but we’ve had some students resume class in just a few days following reduction mammaplasty.
The first step towards a new, beautiful you is to schedule a personal consultation.
Along with providing the highest level of care, no effort is spared to create an environment where each patient is nurtured and cared for as an individual. Use our form to contact Dr. O’Connell with questions about any of our aesthetic or plastic surgery procedures.
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(203) 454-0044
208 Post Rd. West, Westport, CT 06880
Total Aesthetics proudly serves patients from Westport, New Canaan, Bridgeport, Greenwich and all of Fairfield County Connecticut.
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