Your areolas are the pigmented areas surrounding your nipples. Like breasts, areolas vary widely between different people in terms of size, color, and shape. It is normal to have large or differently sized areolas, or nipples that you find too large especially after changes such as pregnancy and breast-feeding.
If you are uncomfortable with the size of your areolas and/or nipples, surgical reduction is possible.
Areola reduction surgery is a relatively simple day surgery procedure that can reduce the diameter of one or both of your areolas. The excess pigmented skin is simply cut away so that a smaller and more appropriately-shaped areola is left behind. The height of your nipples can also be reduced, if desired.
• Women: This surgery can be performed on its own, or together with other breast surgeries such as breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction. Breast growth should be completed before considering this surgery, usually by late teens or early 20s.
After dressings are applied over the incisions, you can usually be discharged on the same day of surgery. Complete healing can be expected by 2 weeks.
If performed in conjunction with other breast procedures e.g. breast reduction or augmentation, the costs of the surgery will be higher.
Possible risks and long-term problems following this procedure include:• Bleeding• Infection• Partial or total loss of the nipple and/or areola• Altered nipple sensation, which may be temporary or permanent • Impaired ability to breast-feed subsequently • Poor scarring• Asymmetry
