Does the areola shrink back to previous size when implants are taken out?

Question

One doctor mentioned only using the previous scar to take my sub muscular implants out while another told me my areola won't shrink back and wants to have an incision all around the areola to make my areola smaller. I really don't want any more scars and really don't want to ruin any nerves or memory glands in the process. Is it true the areola won't shrink? I went from an A to a D so my areola did get bigger.

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hi seen your concern for breast implant removal and areolar reduction without additional scar well in that case the option will be to get your implant removal in the previous scar incision itself and wait for 6 months and give enough time for changes to occur and still not happy with the size of the areola which has not considerably reverted to the desired size you expected following removal then think of correction later because the areolar shrinkage depends on the size of implant you had and the time duration it was in situ along with the skin thickness and laxity hence a good preoperative assessment with your surgeon will help out to sort the issues.

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

If you finally decide to remove implants without renewal... do it without removing any extra skin, you are right with your concerns.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. The areola skin should "bounce back" to some degree, just like the remainder of the breast skin will contract back with time. Whether it will  return to its pre-breast surgery size cannot be predicted however.   If in doubt, I would suggest that you avoid circumareolar incisions and/or breast lifting unless necessary at a second stage.  Generally speaking, what your breasts will look like after explantation depends on several factors such as: the quality of skin elasticity (the better the elasticity the better the skin will bounce back), the size of the implants used (the larger the implant the more trouble you may have with redundant skin), and the amount of breast tissue present at this time (which may have changed since the time of your breast augmentation).Life experience since your breast augmentation procedure, such as pregnancy or weight gain weight loss, will potentially influence the factors discussed above. If you take these factors into consideration and apply them to your specific circumstances you may get a good idea of what to expect after the implants are removed.Patience is definitely indicated after removal of breast implants; it will take many months for the skin to “bounce back” and for you to see the final appearance of the breasts. When the time is right, seek consultation with board certified plastic surgeons who can demonstrate significant experience helping patients with revisionary breast surgery.  I hope this, and the attached link (dedicated to breast implant removal surgery concerns), helps. Best wishes.

Patrick Briggs, FRCS, FRCSI (Plast Surg) (retired) · Answer

I agree with you I would not want to give extra scars if they are not needed. The best option is to remove your implants through the old scar and wait and see. In time you may or may not decide to have a reduction of your areolar.

Alan M. Engler, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

To a certain degree.As you noted, with breast enlargement, everything typically stretches somewhat, including the areola.  With implant removal, there will be some degree of contraction of, similarly, all the tissues.It's hard to know exactly what you'll look like, and in particular how much the areola will contract.  Many factors influence this, including how big the implants are, how long they were in place, thickness of skin, weight changes, etc.You should discuss this with your own plastic surgeon for a full and complete assessment.I hope that this helps and good luck,Dr. Alan EnglerMember of #RealSelf500

Does the areola shrink back to previous size when implants are taken out?

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Answer: Does the Areolar.....

Answer: Does the Areolar.....

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Does the areola shrink back?

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Does the areola shrink back?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

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Does the areola shrink back to previous size when implants are taken out?

Answers (5)

Answer: Does the Areolar.....

Answer: Does the Areolar.....

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Does the areola shrink back?

Answer: #Explant #BreastImplantRemoval - Does the areola shrink back?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.