Nipple Reduction
Areola reduction and inverted nipple surgery are common cosmetic procedures performed on women born with nipple abnormalities, or those who develop changes with pregnancy, breastfeeding, or menopause.
Questions about nipple enhancement surgery? Ask New York City cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Preminger.
Request Consultation
Request Consultation
Areola & Nipple Reduction
Breasts and nipples are very important to a woman’s self-confidence and sense of beauty. When the nipple size is disproportionate to the breast or the positioning is not symmetrical, one’s self-esteem can suffer tremendously, creating fear of intimacy and feelings of depression. Sometimes the nipples are inverted, which can inhibit the ability to breastfeed or enjoy a lover’s touch. Patients have reported insecurity while getting changed, being unable to remove their bras during sex, and living with horrible thoughts they can’t shake — that their nipples look like “pancakes” or “silver dollars.”
It is important to know that you are not alone. In 2013, 122,838 American women underwent breast reduction or areola reduction surgery. Board-certified Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. B. Aviva Preminger understands how uncomfortable you may feel talking about this problem, and she is here to help with years of experience in breast enhancement surgery.
QUICK FACTS
LENGTH
2-3 hours
ANESTHESIA
General or Local with Sedation
IN/OUT PATIENT
Usually Outpatient
SIDE EFFECTS
Temporary loss of sensitivity, numbness, redness
RISKS
Pain, infection, tissue death, permanent loss of feeling, scarring
RECOVERY
Back at work the next day
Resume light exercise at 1-2 days
Resume strenuous activity at 3 weeks
4 weeks for swelling to resolve
DURATION OF RESULTS
Years
Preparation
Areola reduction begins with a one-on-one consultation with the plastic surgeon. At this time, you’ll learn all about nipple enhancement options, risks, and outcomes. General risks of surgery include: allergic reaction to general anesthesia, infection, wound separation, and tissue death. Numbness or loss of sensation is a common temporary side effect that may become permanent in rare cases. Pain, sensitivity, itching, redness, scarring, and hyperpigmentation are other adverse events that are possible, but not likely.
During your consultation, Dr. Preminger discusses her methods of risk reduction, goes over your personal health history, and addresses any concerns you may have about the procedure. To prepare yourself for areola reduction surgery, you may be asked to stop the use of aspirin, vitamin E, diet pills, stimulants, recreational drugs, alcohol, supplements, and cigarettes.
Procedure
Dr. Preminger tailors each nipple surgery to the individual. Some patients may be given general anesthesia to be totally asleep during the procedure, while others may just require local anesthesia with sedation.
Preliminary steps will depend on the type of surgery performed, but generally speaking, may include:
- Getting changed into a surgical gown and taking a sedative to ease anxiety.
- Being measured and marked with a Sharpie pen by the surgeon.
- Getting IV medication to put you to sleep during the procedure, while a blood pressure cuff, adhesive chest pads, and oxygen meter monitor your vital statistics.
- Scrubbing of the chest to reduce the chance of infection.
In most cases, a circular area in the outermost region of the areola is removed and the skin is tightened around it. Absorbable stitches in the areola reduce the diameter, and a permanent stitch prevents the areola from widening later.
Dr. Preminger will explain the exact technique that will be used in your procedure and discuss why she has chosen that particular method.
Recovery & Results
It’s common to feel confused, disoriented, and emotional after your surgery. Be sure to mention if you feel nauseated, as an anti-nausea medication can be administered. The recovery team will continue to monitor your vitals. Once your awareness improves and your oxygen saturation increases, you will be released. You will need someone to drive you home, pick up your pain medication, fix you something to eat, and retrieve items like water or ice packs as you relax.
After the first day, you may feel well enough to return to work. Your first post-operative appointment will be scheduled 5-10 days after surgery, at which point your dressings may be changed. Bruising should decrease within two weeks and more strenuous activities may be resumed
after three weeks. Physical contact with the breasts can be resumed after 4 weeks. It could take up to a year for the scars to fade.
Results of nipple enhancement can be seen right away, and are generally permanent. The breasts can droop or sag naturally with age, however. It is normal for the skin to appear shiny and red due to swelling at first. Puckering should clear up between weeks two and six. Numbness should also dissipate by six weeks. Revision surgeries for areola reduction are rare and the newer techniques (like wedge excision) yield high patient satisfaction.
Nipple enhancement surgery in NYC
Dr. B. Aviva Preminger is known for her warm, friendly, supportive demeanor, as well as her highly credentialed Ivy League education. Individuals looking for a true professional who is board-certified and operates in an accredited surgical facility can find what they’re looking for at Preminger Plastic Surgery in New York City.
To learn more about having nipple or areola reduction, inverted nipples correction, or any type of nipple enhancement surgery, please call 212-706-1900 to book an appointment or have any questions answered by our team.
