What is Areola Reduction Surgery, and What Should a Patient Expect Afterwards?

The areola is the highly pigmented area around every woman’s nipples. Every woman’s areola has a different size, shape and colour. Areola reduction surgery is a type of surgery done to reduce the areola size in women who feel uncomfortable with their areola sizes. The areola reduction procedure is very simple and may involve only a small reduction in the size of a centimetre for each breast. Some of the other surgeries that may be done side by side with areola reduction surgery include breast reduction, breast argumentation and breast uplift.

Who is eligible for areola reduction surgery?

Any woman who feels unsatisfied with the sizes of their areola are allowed to get a reduction surgery. Most women do not prefer weighty and stretch areolas, especially after pregnancies and breastfeeding experiences. The surgery works perfectly for areolas in such conditions. Those with protruding and swollen areolas can also undergo the reduction procedure successfully.

Diagnosis to determine if one is eligible for the surgery.

The first appointment with the doctor usually involves an examination. The doctor checks the breasts and listens to the patient’s areas of concern before giving a list of possible surgery options to solve their issue. The patient’s medical history must also be checked to ensure the surgery will not trigger other medical conditions.

What should you expect in the surgery?

Areola surgery patients are outpatients, and the surgery usually takes about two hours. The patient is given anaesthetics before the surgery procedure. The procedure includes making an incision around the dark area around the nipple, followed by removing the areola. The incision is then stitched back together. The area heals gradually with time, and the patient is expected to keep going for a check-up during the healing period. The surgery results should be evident immediately after the reduction. The scars and marks are also expected to fade away with time.

How to fasten the healing process

  • During the first few days, avoid lifting weights heavier than 1kg.
  • The patient should wear a support bra during the first three weeks of the healing period.
  • [put some ice on the swelling to help reduce it.
  • Avoid any motion that involves bending or reaching above your head for a few days after the surgery.

Possible Risks and Complications

  • Before selecting a doctor to perform the areola reduction surgery, ensure that they are experienced. Some of the possible effects include.
  • The nipples sensitivity may increase, making it uncomfortable.
  • The areolas may end up in different sizes hence the need for corrective surgery.
  • The breasts may lose sensitivity and become numb during the healing period, and in some people, the numbness may become permanent.
  • A woman’s ability to breastfeed may be compromised.
  • Scaring and loss of pigmentation around the areola. The scaring can be faded using treatments and screams.

Conclusion

The areola, a dark pigmented area around the nipple, differs in size in every person. The areola can be reduced through a surgical procedure that helps to reduce puffiness, weight and size of the areola in people who feel uncomfortable. Most women choose to get an areola reduction surgery after pregnancy or breastfeeding. The surgery takes a few hours with immediate results.