My areolas have stretched out, will they go back to normal? (Photos)

Question

Hi, I'm 2 months PO from my augmentation. Very happy with the results, but I was looking at a picture taken a couple of days after surgery compared to one taken a couple of days ago, and I noticed my areolas have stretched out A LOT and look a little odd now. Is this normal? Will this go away once I am healed? Or am I stuck with oval nipples forever now. Thanks very much!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and congratulations on your nice augmentation results.  With the volume of the implant placed behind your areola it will cause it to stretch to a small degree.  As your tissue swelling resolves you will see a subtle shrinking of the areola but it will not be significantly different from your current outcome.  Hope this helps.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. Areolar skin is just like the rest of the breast skin. When put under tension, it will stretch as needed to accommodate the implant. If your areola stretched in once direction to create an oblong shape, then that means the tension was oriented in that direction. It is unlikely that this will improve with time. If the stretching continues or you are concerned with the outcome, discuss this with your plastic surgeon. I would wait until a year after surgery, but there may be options to revise the nipples to a better shape.Hope this helps!

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

Congrats on your surgery, you seem to have a very nice result. Yes, skin along with the aerola does stretch  with the  added volume of  your breasts. All looks normal to me. God luck.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kitkat1991,it is not unusual for areolas to change in size after breast augmentation. They will probably stay that way. If you are concerned, you should consult your plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. They don't appear much different from the photo. However, it can happen in some cases as your breasts are now larger. Please follow up with your plastic surgeon if you are unhappy/concerned

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and the shapes may not be perfectly circular so hopefully you are done and nothing further will happen.  I don't think its worth it to try for perfect circles as you will have to accept scarring and the costs of the procedure.  Perfect circular areolas are very rare.

Asaf Yalif, MD, FACS · Answer

As noted below, with the implant volume placed behind the breast, the breast and nipple/areola will stretch a bit. It will likely stay as it is now. That being said your result is a very good one.

Joseph A. Franco, MD · Answer

while you have a nice results from your augmentation the areolaeI can dilate due to the mechanical stresses of the underlying implant. This can also occur with breast-feeding and natural aging. Unfortunately it is unlikely that areolae will reduce in size but even in severe cases can be treated with a simple circular excision.

Steven M. Lynch, MD · Answer

Hi,  I really like your result.  It is true that when you place an implant under the breast tissue, then you will get some stretching.  A shape change can also accompany the new implant forces and it is impossible to tell you that it will change to your pre op roundness.  My guess is that it will not but you need to be a year or more from your surgery to make that determination.  If it is permanent, do not let it take away from the very successful result that your plastic surgeon gave you.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

The areola stretch as does the skin when implants are placed.  They might snap back a bit but will likely stay this way. I would give it 4-6 months.

My areolas have stretched out, will they go back to normal? (Photos)

Answers (11)

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