Do We Have to Have Smaller Areolas?

I am contemplating a breast lift with reduction - I have a K cup breast - heavy and uncomfortable. I will obviously have to also get a reduction. The problem I have is scaring! I have a rare syndrome that I keloid after every cut. I have seen some womens nipples - after surgery - and I feel SO badly for them! Can I insists on keeping the areolas instead of having them cut all away - or use one of those nipple grafts? I - nor my partner - have a problem with large areolas or nipple areas!

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8 Doctor Answers | Asked by bambi27

Doctor Answers (8)
Community Comments (1)

Do We Have to Have Smaller Areolas??

I'm not sure I get the gist of your question. It is possible to leave the areolas at their current size. But if the question is "do I need an incision around the areola?" the answer will be yes. Not making the areolas smaller does not eliminate the need for an incision, since part of a lift/reduction involves moving the sagging areola to a more appropriate level, and that requires incisions, and thus scars. Best advice is to see a plastic surgeon in consultation. Your current scars... more

Ultimate Breast Reduction

There is a new technique called The Ultimate Breast Reduction which allows women to decide what size breasts they want without having a vertical scar. There are no lollipop or boat anchor shaped incisions required. The areolas are not removed but are reduced to the desired size. The other advantage of this technique is the breast weight is transferred to the underlying muscle providing pain relief. I recommend this technique to you since you are concerned about the... more

Reducing keloid scars during breast surgery

If you are concerned about keloid scarring, there are several different options to minimize post surgical scarring and minimize recovery for breast reduction surgery and breast lift surgery.

Scars after breast surgery.

You will need an incision around your areola even if the size of the areola is not altered. It's unusual for patients to scar really badly after breast reduction but I do have a couple of patients who did and they do not regret the surgery despite the scaring. Scars are a tradeoff for a more comfortable and proportionate breast. Only you can decide if the tradeoff is acceptable. There are some things that can be done early after surgery to help the scars behave... more

Areola size

When performing a lift or reduction, most women prefer to have the areolae reduced to about an inch and a half in diameter. However, they can be made any size you wish and the diameter can be customized to your wishes. You should be aware, however, that areolae tend to stretch with time and it is usually to err on making them a little smaller than the size you ultimately want them to be. Also, it it easier to make the areolae larger at a secondary surgery if you... more

Breast Reduction and Keloids

Keloid scars can be very difficult to deal with. However having K cup sized breasts can also cause serious problems. I would reccomend consulting with a plastic surgeon in your area. There are some techniques that can help prevent or limit the extent of keloids during your surgery. While your areolas can be kept on the larger side, incisions will be required to have a breast reduction surgery. Hope that helps, Dr. Kerr

Mahlon Kerr, MD

16 reviews

Austin Plastic Surgeon

Keloids and Breast Reduction

Regardless of whether your areolae are reduced or not, there will be a scar around them. In order to lift the areolae, an incision needs to be placed around them to lift them. If you reduce the size of the areolae,one could argue that the scar will actually be smaller as the circumference of the areolae will be reduced. If you do have a tendency to form keloids, you should discuss this at great length with a board certified plastic surgeon. There are... more

Smaller Areola Necessary with Breast Reduction/Lifting?

Thank you for the question. With breast reduction or lifting surgery the nipple/areola complexes are moved superiorly, just like the entire breast is moved superiorly. This movement of the nipple/areola complex is necessary to ensure that the nipple/areola complex ends up centered on the breast mound. In order to move the nipple/girl complex superiorly, an incision is necessary around the nipple/areola. Therefore, even if your areola are not reduced in size, an... more

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Comments (1)

bambi27 12 Sep 2012

Thankyou for your replies! I have only seen one plastic surgeon, and to say I was VERY distressed after is an understatement. He talked about the death of my nipple and thus needing a skin graft, taking me down to a small c. The way he made it sound was like he would be treating me like a full mastectomy. Thus my question about the aerolas - I wanted my nipples and aerolas left alone! I know understand from your comments that I would need the nipples cut around! Even though I am sick and tired - and also in pain - of my large breasts. The thought of them being devastated and scarred etc. makes me against having it done. I want to have better looking breasts, so I can feel feminine again! This is not only for me, but also my husband, so I don't want to have ZERO sensation or feel SO "hacked" that I wouldn't want to be seen naked! I don't understand the need to have our breasts "assaulted" so to speak! I know that is not a surgeons intent, but some of the breasts I have seen look like they have been through mastectomies, not just reductions or lifts! Thankyou for your answers!

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