The appearance of your nipples and areolas (the darker skin
around your nipples) can have a significant effect on how you feel about your
breasts. Areola and nipple surgery can correct issues with size, shape,
projection, and symmetry.
How areola and nipple surgery is performed
Areola and nipple surgery can be done under local or general
anesthesia in an outpatient setting. The incisions and scars are well hidden by
the darker skin tone of your areolas.
Areola surgery
can reduce the size of your areolas and correct their shape and symmetry. Your
surgeon makes a donut-shaped incision around the perimeter of your areola and
trims away excess tissue from the outer edge. Your breast skin is then pulled
in with stitches. Sometimes a permanent stitch is made deeper in your breast
tissue to keep your areola from stretching outwards after surgery.
Nipple surgery can
correct issues with projection and size. Your surgeon may remove excess skin
from your nipples to reduce their size. Nipple puffiness can be altered by
removing tissue from underneath your nipples and areolas. Inverted nipples,
where your nipple is pulled in too close to your breast, can be corrected by
stretching the underlying tissue or adding a prosthetic device inside them to
prop them up.
Recovery after surgery
Most women can return to work after three days. You’ll need to avoid strenuous or sexual
activity for a few weeks. Pain and discomfort is usually mild and subsides
after a few days. Some women may lose sensation in their nipples after surgery,
and your ability to breast feed may be affected as well, so it’s important to
discuss these factors with your surgeon.
Costs
Costs depend on the complexity of your surgery, your
location, and any surgical, anesthesia, or hospital fees. Your surgeon and
health insurance provider can help explain specific costs.