Is there a way to make my nipples smaller? (Photo)

Thank you for your inquiry and sharing your photos.After reviewing your concern and your photos, you seem to be a good candidate for a breast lift and addressing the nipple-areola complex asymmetry and width you have. As for the breast asymmetry and ptosis, you will certainly benefit from breast aug.At this point, it is best if you can schedule a physical consult with a well experienced surgeon who can help you achieve the results you desire.It is important to mention that the
finest cosmetic results in any particular case are based on a variety of
factors, including: the unique anatomy of the patient, realistic expectations,
a well-informed and detailed discussion with your plastic surgeon concerning
the best options for you especially covering a deep understanding of the pros
and cons of any given choice you will adopt.



Please keep in mind that following the
advice from a surgeon online who offers to tell you what to do without a
physical examination covering the nature and the status of the tissue,
assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history, and discussing
the pros and cons of each operative solution would not be in your best
interest. With that in mind, it is the safest and for your best interest to
find a plastic surgeon with solid experience and certified by the American
Board of Plastic Surgery who is ideally a member of the American Society of
Plastic Surgeons that you will trust and be comfortable with. You should
discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.



Good luck!!!



Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS

Hi there. Concern about large nipples is quite a common issue and it is also something that is very correctable. From the photos, your breasts also have some droopiness (the nipples sit low on the breast) - a breast lift would be a great procedure to reduce the width of the nipples and also lift them giving a more perky look. Good luck!

Dear excusemyshynessI can see that you have ptotic and asymmetric breasts with enlarged areola. A breast lift can reshape your breasts and make them perky, reduce the diameter of you areola and even-out your breast size and making them more symmetric. If you also wanted to you can enlarge your breasts at the same time by placing implants. You should look for experienced and properly trained plastic surgeons. see more than one consult and make a well informed decision.

The primary problem you display are tuberous breasts.  You basically have no bottom to your breasts, and you have a tight inframammary fold.  To reduce the size of the areola, if you were my patient, I would recommend a circumareolar or Benelli mastopexy to get the areola smaller and cause a certain amount of lift to your breasts.  Once that occurs, I would allow 6 months for healing and depending on the final shape, I would either attempt implant placement, a second lift, or even a tissue expander.  But, first things first, reduce the areola and see where everything falls.

Your nipples appear to be an appropriate size but your areola is larger than desired.  The size areola could be reduced with the removal of a donut shaped portion of skin.  It may be worthwhile to explore the placement of implants at the same time to improve the shape of your breasts.

Dear excusemyshyness,The photos demonstate that you have breast ptosis (droopy breasts) and enlarged nipple areola complexes.  Your actual nipple looks like it is pretty normal size but the pink skin surrounding the nipple itself is fairly wide.  The diameter (width) of the areola can be reduced in size and would be part of any mastopexy or breast lift.  You would definately benefit from a breast lift.  Adding an implant at the same time or later will increase the size of your breast.  It sounds like you mostly dont like the shape of your breast and the enlarged areola.  I recommend going to see a board certified plastic surgeon who does a lot of breast augmentation and breast lift and who also does these procedures together (augmentation/mastopexy).  Discuss your complaints and your goals candidly.   I believe that an augmentation/mastopexy is an excellent operation in a properly selected patient.Good Luck

Thank you for the question and pictures. Your photographs demonstrate asymmetric breast ptosis. The operation indicated is breast lifting plus/minus breast augmentation surgery. Along with breast lifting comes areala reduction surgery (which I believe is what you are referring to when you ask for your "nipples to the smaller").  Some general thoughts regarding this operation may be helpful to you.Patients who are considering breast augmentation/lifting surgery should understand that this combination surgery is significantly more complex than either one of the procedures done separately. In other words, the combination breast augmentation / mastopexy surgery differs from breast augmentation surgery alone in that it carries increased risk compared to either breast augmentation or mastopexy surgery performed separately.
Furthermore, the potential need for revisionary surgery is increased with breast augmentation / mastopexy surgery done at the same time. This revisionary rate may be as high (or higher) than 20%. Patients should be aware of this higher revisionary rate; obviously, the need for additional surgery, time off work/life considerations, and additional expenses our “factors” that should be considered before undergoing the initial operation.Personally, I find that the breast augmentation/lifting procedure to be one of the most challenging of the breast operations I perform, even compared to somewhat complex revisionary breast surgery. On the one hand, when performing breast augmentation/lifting surgery we are increasing the breast size with breast implants; on the other hand, we are reducing the breast “envelope” in order to achieve the breast lift. These two “forces” must be balanced as perfectly as possible in order to achieve the desired results. Removing too much skin/ breast tissue is problematic; removing too little breast skin/tissue can also be problematic. Remember also that patients presenting for breast lifting surgery and general have lost some skin elasticity/thickness making potential incision line healing problems and/or recurrent drooping/sagging important concerns to communicate.
The analogy I use in my practice is that of a thinned out balloon, being expanded with additional air, while at the same time removing some of the balloons rubber surface. I hope that this analogy helps patients understand some of the issues at hand when performing the combination breast augmentation/lifing operation.
To achieve a surgical result where the breast implant and breast tissue “come together” and behave like a single breast is one of my goals but can be difficult to achieve. Essentially, we are trying to create a breast implant/breast tissue interface that feels and behaves as naturally ( as a single unit) as possible. Generally speaking, making sure that the breast implant has some sub muscular and some sub glandular component ( dual plane) and tailoring the overlying skin/subcutaneous tissue/breast tissue as precisely as possible over the underlying breast implant is key.
Despite these efforts, breast implants are after all a foreign body that don't necessarily stay where we wish they would; therefore, breast implant related problems such as positioning ( too high, too low, lateral displacement etc.) can occur and may be a reason for returning to the operating room for revisionary breast surgery.I use a “tailor tacking” technique that allows a determination of what breast implant should be used to SAFELY produce the results the patient is looking for. This technique involves use of a temporary sizer and temporary “closure” of the overlying breast skin over the sizer. The use of the tailor tacking technique is very helpful. Breast lifting involves removal of skin ( and tightening of the breast skin envelope) while breast augmentation involves expansion of the breast skin envelope. These 2 forces are counteracting each other. Again, despite these efforts, breast implant and/or tissue/skin complications may arise causing minor or significant complications.
Generally speaking, it is difficult to achieve the “perfect” result with breast augmentation/lifting surgery, despite best efforts. Patients should be aware of the complexity of this combination procedure, achieve REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS prior to proceeding, and understand that additional surgery ( along with the additional recovery time, stress, expenses etc) may be necessary in the short or long-term. Patients should understand that the results of the procedure will not necessarily match aesthetically the results of patients who have undergone breast augmentation surgery only.
For example, some patients who wish to maintain long-term superior pole volume/"roundness" may find that this result is not achieved after the initial breast augmentation/lifting operation. An additional operation, possibly involving capsulorrhaphy, may be necessary to achieve the patient's longer-term goals ( with superior pole volume/roundness). It is helpful if patients understand that this breast implant capsule used to provide the support for the breast implant is not present during the initial breast augmentation/lifting operation. The capsule (layer of scar tissue) forms around the breast implant and may be a good source of supportive tissue during revisionary breast surgery, Including correction of breast implant displacement/malposition problems ( such as bottoming out, symmastia, lateral displacement etc).
Potential risks associated with breast augmentation/lifting surgery include infection, bleeding, incision line healing problems, loss/change of nipple/areola complex sensation, and blood flow related issues to causing skin or tissue necrosis. Poor scarring, pigment changes, areola/nipple asymmetry etc. are also potential problems. Again, patients may experience implant related problems such as encapsulation, leakage, displacement problems ( too high, bottoming out, lateral displacement, asymmetric positioning etc.), rippling/palpability of breast implants etc. Patients may also be dissatisfied with breast size, shape, and/or how the breast implants and overlying breast tissues “interface” with one another. Occasionally, a breast implant may even have to be removed and the patient will generally be “implant free” for several months at least. Obviously, this situation can be quite physically, emotionally, and psychosocially stressful to the patient involved.
Given the complexity of the combination breast augmentation/lifting operation and the greater risk of revisionary breast surgery needed, there are good plastic surgeons who will insist on doing the procedures separately. For me, if I see a patient who needs a great degree of lifting, who has lost a lot of skin elasticity, or whose goal is a very large augmentation then I think it is best to do the procedures in 2 stages (in order to avoid serious complications). However, doing the procedure in one stage does increase the risks of complications in general and the potential need for further surgery. This increased risk must be weighed against the practical benefits of a single stage procedure (which most patients would prefer).
Conversely, if I see a patient who requires minimal to moderate lifting along with a small to moderate size augmentation (and has good skin quality), then doing the procedure one stage is much safer. Nevertheless, the potential risks are greater with a 1 stage procedure and the patient does have a higher likelihood of needing revisionary surgery.
Having discussed some of the downsides and potential risks/complications associated with breast augmentation/lifting surgery, most patients (If properly selected and who are doing the operations at the right time of their lives psychosocially) accept the scars associated with breast augmentation/breast lifting surgery as long as they are happy with the improvement in contour, size, and symmetry. I hope that this summary of SOME of the issues surrounding breast augmentation/lifting surgery is helpful to you and other women considering this procedure in the future. The attached link may also be helpful. Best wishes.