Areolae Reduction Surgery

Areolae reduction is usually performed as a Day Surgery and can be performed under sedation with long acting local anaesthesia or just under local anaesthetic. The procedure takes between 1 and 2 hours, and you will need to be driven home by a responsible carer.

After an incision is made around the nipple, some of the dark pigmented area of the areola is removed, and the incision is closed. You can take a shower and get back to normal activities and light exercise within a 24 hours following the surgery. Water resistant dressings are placed over the breasts. You should see a difference in the shape and size of your areolae immediately following surgery. Final results of surgery can take up to 12 weeks to be apparent.

The incision on the breast is small and some of the stitches may dissolve, but you will need to return to the clinic 2 weeks following your surgery to have the stitches removed. The scars from this procedure are not usually prominent but depending on your skin type may be visible. There may also be some gathering around the outside of the areolae for some weeks to months depending on the size of the reduction. This routinely settles and becomes smooth in time.

Before making a decision to proceed with surgery, please review our Consent for Surgery form about this surgery.

Surgery Consent Form

• There is no special preparation required for this procedure. There are, however, several (things you can do leading up to any kind of surgery).
• There are also a number of (things you can do following any surgery).
• There are special instructions to follow after areolae reduction surgery to maintain the planned shape of the nipples and areola and ensure healing:
• Ice the area to reduce swelling.
• Avoid lifting anything weighing over 1 kg in the first week.
• Avoid bending over or reaching above your head for the first week.
• Wear a support bra for the first 12 weeks following surgery.
• Ensure your breasts are supported well at all times as this will reduce the risk of scar widening.

You should never make a decision by reading a web page alone, no matter how comprehensive the information is. We encourage you to book a personal consultation with Dr Konrat, where she will assess you, explain the procedure in detail and help you to understand all the options as well as the risks and complications of surgery in general and areola reduction surgery in particular.

As with any surgical procedure there are risks involved in areola reduction surgery. You should be fully aware of these before you elect to have the procedure. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the list of complications that can arise as a result of any surgery.

Specific complications that may occur after areola reduction surgery:

• Loss of sensitivity and numbness may occur during the healing period. Mostly this is temporary, but numbness may be permanent.
• Nipples may become uncomfortably sensitive.
• Your ability to breast-feed may be compromised.
• The two areolas may not be equal in size or are at different heights. These issues will require corrective surgery.
• Visible scarring and loss of pigmentation or increased pigmentation is possible.

Bleeding

There will be some minor bleeding following areolae reduction surgery. Bleeding will usually subside on its own. This rarely appears as bruising in the breast surrounding the areolae. If the bruising becomes extensive or there is excessive bleeding we recommend getting in touch with Dr Konrat for assessment.

Infection

While infection is rare with areolae surgery, infections can occur after any surgical procedure. If minor infections do occur, they can slow the rate of healing. Following your areolae reduction surgery aftercare instructions carefully will help to reduce the risk of infection.

Scarring

The possibility of scarring is another risk associated with areolae reduction surgery.  Most patients find it difficult to detect their scar 3 months following their procedure. The scar will mostly be hidden in the border between the paler breast tissue and the reduced areolae and will routinely improve over time and be well camouflaged by the colour of the areolae. The severity of scarring will vary from patient to patient, in many cases the scar will fade to be almost invisible, while in others it may more noticeable. Hypertrophic and Keloid scarring (thickened scars) may occur in patients susceptible to this type of scarring. Scar procedures are available to improve widened or visible scars.

Swelling

The tissues in the areolae are delicate and minor swelling may persist for some weeks. This is not unusual and will heal well in time.

Asymmetrical results

With areolae reduction surgery, there is a small risk that the areolae may not match in size or shape following the surgery. Over time, due to the elastic nature of the areolae, they may stretch or spread out again. Areolae once reduced may also elongate depending on the weight and drape of the breasts.

Loss of ability to breastfeed

For women who are able to breast feed prior to surgery, routinely they will still be able to breast feed following areolae reduction surgery. However, some women may find it difficult to breast feed following areolae reduction surgery. If this is important, then waiting until you have completed your family is recommended.

Loss of sensation

While rare, sensation loss can occur in the weeks following surgery and will usually return to the areolae within 3 to 6 months after surgery.