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Large Areolas and Droopy Nipples. What Breast Surgery Do I Need?

asked 1 year ago by Hanna G. in Los Angeles, CA
Latest answer by William Bruno, MD
Question viewed 7,563 times
Tags: areola, nipples, options

I am uncomfortable & embarrassed of my breasts b/c of my big aereolas, and I would like my nipples to be higher up. Im wondering if I need just aerola reduction, or if I need a lift and/or implant too. What do you think? The first 2 photos are me, and the last 2 photos are what I want my breats to look like (natural). What do I need to do to get to my goal breasts? Thank you!!

17 answers to Large Areolas and Droopy Nipples. What Breast Surgery Do I Need?

+2

Breast Lift with Areolar Reduction

Hello and thank you for the question. In review of your photographs and given consideration of your desired results, I would offer you a vertical mastopexy ( lolli-pop scar breast lift). This will afford you both a breast lift for the moderate ptosis, which your breasts have as well an areolar reduction to a size that is better proportioned to your breasts. I recommend you consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has ample experience in breast rejuvenation surgery. Best of... more
Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

www.BeverlyHillsCosmeticSurgeon.com

+3

Areola reduction, breast lift, or augmentation?

If you are happy with your breast size, there is no need to perform an augmentation with breast implants. Because you have droopy or sagging breast, I recommend a breast lift or mastopexy. I don't think a periareolar lift would be sufficient. A mastopexy would reduce your areolas at the same time.
Frank Agullo, MD

El Paso Plastic Surgeon

www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com

+3

Breast Lift or Not?

It is common to compare ourselves to others, as you are doing. Your two photos do not suggest that you are as "bad" as you feel. I would advise giving surgery plenty of thought as any areolar or other type of breast lift will create scars that you may end up being more unhappy with.
Stephan Baker, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+2

Smaller areolas

From what you write in your note the size you want to be is similar to where you are now so simply doing a donut mastopexy to make your arelar complexes smaller is all that may be needed.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast lift with or without breast implants

Based on your photos, it appears you have adequate volume but would like to improve your  shape, nipple position and areola size.  This can all be achieved with a vertical mastopexy (lollipop incision).  I would only recommend breast implants if you desired to be a larger cup size. I recommend being examined by a board certified plastic surgeon for a more detailed surgical plan. I feel you should have a good result. Best wishes, Dr. Bruno
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Improve the soft tissue envelope first, it might be all you need

If the last two photos represent your aesthetic ideals with respect to nipple position and volume, I would suggest that you stage the mastopexy (breast lift) first.  The first two photos suggest that y our left breast is slightly larger and the nipple-areolar complex is lower.  A circumvertical lift technique, in which the diameter of the nipple-areolar complex is reduced, the breast tissue volume is balanced and the areolas moved to a higher position would mandate scars around the... more
Lavinia Chong, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+1

Areola Size and Breast Augmentation

It looks like you have enough volume and all you would need is a breast lift or mastopexy. A breast augmentation alone will not reduce the areola, in fact it could further stretch it. It look like you need a mastopexy which involves moving the nipple in relation to the breast mound and the areola is usually reduced in this procedure. Good Luck Leo Lapuerta JR MD FACS Triple Board Certified Plastic SUrgeon
Leo Lapuerta, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

You likely only need a breast lift with possible asymmetric reduction

Dear Anna G., Looking at your photos, you have moderate asymmetric breast ptosis (drooping) with possibly a larger breast on the left. A short scar breast lift with possibly some reduction on the larger side would give you the best chance at obtaining the desired look you are seeking. Keep in mind that it is impossible to obtain the exact appearance of the photos you have submitted. Photos are helpful in communicating what you are looking for, but plastic surgeons cannot reproduce a... more
Lawrence Tong, MD

Toronto Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgery for Large Areolae & Sagging

If you want to have a result similar to that of the model's photo in your query, a small reduction mammaplasty is probably the best option for you.  This can accomplish to areolar reduction and natural look that you are seeking.  You do not need an implant.  Make an appointment with one or more board-certified plastic surgeons who can discuss your options with you.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Large areolas

Certainly an areola reduction can be performed.  This is a fairly straightforward procedure.  As for the shape, it is hard to say from your photos without an exam, it is certainly possible.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Advisability of areolar reductions

Your photos indicate that your breasts are of substantial size with larger areolas but not abnormally gigantic. Are you satisfied with your breast size right now (as you did not mention it)? If you are, you need to first consider the consequences of an areolar reduction on the overall breast shape and the scars versus what you have right now. If you want to be larger, then there would be more reason to pursue the areolar reduction to a smaller size that you would be happier with. A lift... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

Breast areola reduction

There is some noticeable right left breast asymmetry and enlarged areola visible in your posted photos. Unfortunately the first photo was shot at a downward looking angle and the second with your torso rotated to the left. There is therefore no way anyone could make a specific recommendation based solely on these photos. The 2 model photos do not apply to you and you cannot be made to look anything like that. The reason is that model's breasts are very different from yours in terms of... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Areola Reduction and Breast Lift

Dear Hanna: Areola reduction will reduce the diameter of your areolae. This can be performed as part of a periareolar lift to reposition the nipple higher up on the breasts at the same time. The downside is a scar around the circumference of the smaller areolae.  The "ideal" nipple location is at the front of the breast. Yours are pretty close, with the right a bit lower than the left. The examples you are showing have nipples higher on the breast. Breast come in all... more
Joseph Mele, MD

Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon
+1

Large Areolas and Droopy Nipples. What Breast Surgery Do I Need?

Your breasts are tethered by a limited breast parenchyma (tissue) in the inferior pole of the breasts ,therefore you need reduction of the areola with lift ( periareolar technique) of the parenchyma and simultaneous release of the infra mammary fold.
Erel Laufer, M.D.

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Areolar Reduction or Breast Lift Surgery

From your photos, it does appear that you have some mild droop to the breasts - or ptosis. This normally requires a breast lift to correct. Similarly, in almost all breast lifts, the areola is reduced to make a more attractive, youthful result. A peri-areolar mastopexy alone may be enough to successfully correct your concerns, however this procedure tends to "flatten" the breast a bit secondary to how the nipple and areolae are lifted. Thus, an implant may be a necessary addition... more
Vincent P. Marin, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.marinaesthetics.com

+1

Breast Lift for large areolas and drooping breast

Some variation of a breast lift would seem to be a reasonable option considering your photos.  This would help reduce the areolae size as well as reposition the nipple/areolae higher on the breast mound.  Weather this involves a periareolar, short-scar technique or more extensive technique is questionable and would require a consultation for further evaluation and complete examination.  Seek out a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area.
Stephen Delia, M.D.

Boston Plastic Surgeon
+1

How to fix large areolae and droopy nipples

Dear Hanna, Thank you for the photos. You have some sagging of the breasts and if you like the volume that you have now, then you would benefit from a short scar breast lift. This will reshape your breasts, downsize your areolae and move them to a higher more aesthetic location. I would also do liposuction of the excess tissue in front of your arm pits. You do have more breast volume than the women pictured in the right hand photos.  They also have a wide cleavage which you do... more
George Marosan, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

www.bellevueplasticsurgeons.com

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