Most people can head back to an office job within a day or two after areola reduction surgery, but it can take up to six weeks for the swelling and numbness to fully resolve. You'll see your final results within a year, when your scars will have faded.
Expect some swelling, bruising, and discomfort, especially for the first few days after surgery. The pain is usually mild enough to be controlled with over-the-counter pain medication, but everyone is different, so have a conversation with your surgeon about pain control before you head into surgery.
Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to gently clean your incisions to reduce the risk of infection.
They may also ask you to wear your surgical bra or sports bra for the first few weeks, too, to protect your areolae and position your nipples for optimal healing. Just make sure your surgical bra isn't too tight; this can lead to side effects like skin irritation and excess swelling.
During the first week of your healing process, youâll need to sleep on your back or a wedge backrest so you donât put too much strain on your chest.Â
After a week, your provider will remove any non-dissolvable sutures at a follow-up appointment. They'll also check on how your healing process is going.
Avoid exercise or other strenuous activity, including sex, for at least two and ideally three weeks. At that point, you should be able to safely resume your normal activities.
