Hello thriving 8158, Thank you for your question regarding areola discoloration 14 months post op and whether this is normal and will they go back. Thank you for your history and your pictures. During a mastopexy or breast lift, the nipple areolar complex is raised. In your case, it appears you had a lollipop or vertical mastopexy. During the breast lift surgery, the nipple areolar complex is brought up or raised and the breast is the lifted. Sometimes during the breast lift surgery, a plastic surgeon will insert permanent suture around the areola. Permanent suture is placed to minimize the spread of the areola and maximize the longevity of your breast lift results. To me, it appears, if you did have permanent suture placed, you may be having a reaction to this permanent suture. This is why you have redness around the perimeter of the areola. It would be wise to ask your plastic surgeon, his or her thoughts, and perhaps even obtain the operative report. A reaction to a permanent underlying suture could explain the redness around the areola. If this redness around the areola bothers you , steroid injections can be placed or the suture can be removed. If you are concerned about the areola discoloration, this is not uncommon. To fix the areola discoloration, I would suggest medical grade tattooing. Medical tattoo artist create wonders with the nipple areola complex after breast surgery. Please seek out an experienced , medical-grade nipple areola tattoo artist. Good luck. I hope I have answered your question how to fix areolar discoloration 14 months postop, and whether the pigmentation will return. Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon