Article by:
Amelia Grant
The pigmented patches surrounding your nipples are known as areolas. Areolas, like breasts, come in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. Large or irregularly sized areolas are entirely normal. If you're unhappy with the size of your areolas, they can be reduced.
Areola reduction surgery is a straightforward treatment that reduces the size of one or both of your areolas. It can be done alone or in conjunction with other procedures such as a breast lift, breast reduction, or breast augmentation.
Continue reading to learn more about how it's done, what it's like to recover, and more.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Any man or woman who is unhappy with the size of their areolas might have them reduced.
This surgery is effective if you've lost a substantial amount of weight and have stretched areolas as a result. It's particularly helpful if your areolas have changed as a result of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
People with swollen or bulging areolas are also good candidates. Some persons who have asymmetrical areolas opt to have one of them lowered to match the other.
Areola reduction surgery should not be performed on women until their breasts have finished growing, which usually occurs in their late teens or early twenties. Male adolescents may be able to undergo this operation at a younger age.
How Much Does The Procedure Cost?
Areola reduction surgery costs vary depending on a number of factors, including your geographic region. The type of surgery you receive is the most important predictor of cost.
The cost will be higher if you combine it with a breast lift or reduction. Areola reduction surgery might cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 if done alone.
Areola reduction surgery is a cosmetic operation for which insurance does not pay. You will have to pay for it yourself. Some clinics offer payment arrangements to make therapy more affordable.
How to Find The Right Plastic Surgeon?
It is critical to select the correct specialist to do your areola reduction surgery. Cosmetic surgeons are held to a lower standard than certified plastic surgeons. Plastic surgeons who are board-certified have completed at least six years of surgical training, including at least three years specialized in plastic surgery.
Make sure to request a copy of any surgeon's portfolio you're considering. This might help you see the surgeon's capabilities as well as define the outcomes you want.
Possible Risks and Complications
Loss of Sensation
Doctors leave the core of your nipple in place during areola reduction surgery to avoid the possibility of feeling loss. During the healing process, you may have a momentary lack of sensation, but this is rarely permanent.
Scarring
A scar will run around the outside of your areola, and the severity of the scarring may vary. The scar can fade to the point where it is practically unnoticeable, or it can be very prominent. Scars are frequently darker or lighter than the skin around them. Areola tattooing can help with some scars.
Inability to Breastfeed
When your doctor removes a bit of your areola, the milk ducts may be damaged. Although it's unlikely, there's a risk you won't be able to breastfeed your child in the future.
Infection
By properly following your aftercare recommendations, you can substantially lower your risk of infection.
The Bottom Line
You may not be able to appreciate the outcomes of your areola reduction surgery for several weeks. The outcomes are frequently obscured by a first period of swelling and bruising.
Your breasts will settle into their final position when the swelling goes down. Your areolas will appear smaller and more focused as a result of this. A ring-shaped scar will appear around your new areola. It can take up to a year for this to recover.
One to two weeks after your operation, you'll have another appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will examine your recovery and, if necessary, remove the stitches. Your doctor may also prescribe topical medicines to assist minimize scar appearance.