Article by:
Amelia Grant
Areola reduction is an option for anyone who is dissatisfied with the size of their areolas.
This surgery is effective if you've lost a substantial amount of weight and have stretched areolas as a result. It is also effective if your areolas have changed as a result of pregnancy or breastfeeding.
People with swollen or bulging areolas are also good candidates. Some people prefer to have one of their areolas lowered to match the other.
Areola reduction surgery should not be performed on women until their breasts have finished growing, which is usually in their late teens or early twenties. Adolescent guys may be able to undergo this operation at a younger age.
After you've decided on a surgeon, you'll have a consultation to go over the following steps. During the appointment, your doctor should:
examine your breasts
listen to your aesthetic concerns
go over your surgical options
ask for your complete medical history, including a list of current medications
If your doctor believes that you are in good enough health for surgery, they will explain the procedure to you. They can also show you where scarring is likely to occur. They'll show you how your breasts will look after surgery and make sure your expectations are reasonable.
At your appointment, you will be offered a surgery date. Specific preparation instructions will be provided by the doctor's office.
This may include:
Avoiding some drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, for a week before surgery.
Make plans to take time off for your procedure and rehabilitation.
Arrange transportation to and from your surgery.
If you’ll need general anesthesia, on the day before surgery you must avoid eating after midnight. Also, on the day before surgery remove all body jewelry.
On the day of the surgery:
take a shower with surgical soap
avoid wearing makeup or other cosmetics
dress comfortably and loosely
Areola reduction surgery is a relatively easy procedure that takes around an hour to accomplish. Your procedure may be performed at your doctor's surgical clinic or a nearby hospital.
When you arrive, your nurse will do the following:
Request that you change into a hospital gown. You will be requested to remove your bra, but your underwear will remain on.
Examine your blood pressure.
Set up an intravenous line. You may be given a drug to help you relax as well as another to help you sleep.
Apply the electrodes that will be used to monitor your heart rate during the operation.
If required, confirm that you fasted.
You'll meet with your doctor before surgery to talk over any last-minute questions or concerns. Your anesthesiologist will either provide you with a local anesthetic or prepare you for general anesthesia.
During the procedure:
Your areola will be sliced into a doughnut form by your doctor.
This circular incision will be made at the edge of your existing areola, where the scar will be easier to conceal.
They'll use a permanent stitch deep inside your breast to seal your new areola. The areola will not stretch as a result of this suture.
To close your incision site, they will utilize detachable or dissolvable stitches.
Your doctor may prescribe a postsurgical bra or apply surgical dressings.
If you have a local anesthetic, you'll be allowed to leave the hospital nearly quickly. If you were given general anesthesia, your doctor will keep you under observation for a few hours before releasing you.
The recovery time from areola reduction surgery is generally short. Although there may be some swelling and bruising, you should be able to return to work in one or two days.
Your doctor might mention that you should:
Expect an increase in pain throughout the initial postsurgical phase.
Take ibuprofen (Advil) or other over-the-counter pain medicines.
For several weeks, wear a surgical bra or a soft sports bra.
For the first week, refrain from having sex.
For three to four weeks, avoid physical chest contact.
For the first several weeks, avoid lifting heavy things or engaging in rigorous aerobics.
