Large, Puffy Areolas, Inverted Nipples, but Small Breasts-- is There a Procedure to Help?

Question

My breasts are a size 34A, but my areolas are about 6.5cm in diameter (they pretty much take up the entire breast). My nipples are also inverted-- these problems make me extremely insecure and self conscious. Is there a procedure out there for me? I'm only 20 and have a somewhat limited budget as a college student, but intimacy has become a huge dilemma, and I don't want to spend the rest of my 20s in hiding!

Frank Lista, MD · Answer

Yes there is a way of correcting both large nipples and inverted nipples.

	The size of the areola is corrected by an operation called a peri-areolar mastopexy. This is also known as a Benelli mastopexy. In this technique a doughnut of areola skin is removed from around the nipple and then the sutured back into place. This procedure leaves a faint scar around the edge of the areola at the junction of the pigmented areola skin and the lighter normal breast skin.

	Inverted nipple repair is an operation where the shortened ducts leading to the nipple are released so that the nipple can come back out into an exposed position rather than being remaining inverted. 

	Patients are usually delighted with their new look and feel more confident about their appearance.

Sam Speron, MD, FACS · Answer

There are a lot of factors to consider when it comes to puffy or inverted nipples. An examination would have to be done to find out what best fits you. It is very natural for the nipples to be asymmetric and only one might be inverted.  This is a common procedure that most people don’t even know is an option. Surgeons can improve puffy or inverted nipples with a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical simple office procedures under local anesthesia.
This can typically be done in the office under local anesthesia. Usually there are no drains, no outside stitches, and patients can go out in public the same day. Most of the initial swelling is from the numbing medicine and your body absorbs it within the first 4-6 hours. Obviously the body heals with swelling and inflammation and usually that maxes out at two days and then starts getting better. Most of these patients take no pain medicine and usually feel very comfortable going out in public within a few days.  I usually call my patients the night of surgery and check on them the next day. If everything is fine the next day, I then let them shower and they do not need a dressing over their incisions.  At the two week check up, I usually have people start working out and then after six weeks they can do whatever they want. 
I strongly feel that it's very important to have an honest conversation with your surgeon about your particular situation, lifestyle, work environment and specifically which procedures you're having done so that you both have the most honest answer about your recovery and are realistic with expectations and results.
I would recommend that you see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area that is a member of both ASPS & ASAPS and performs a lot of breast and nipple surgery.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best in your surgery and event. If it does, please take a moment to up vote this answer on the “respond” button on the top right.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	If you are dealing with a tuberous (constricted) breast  anomaly some of the characteristics you may notice are: short distance from areola to inframammary folds, wide distance between breasts and relatively large "puffy" areola.

	Generally, the procedure  most commonly used to improve the situation involves breast augmentation with or without areola reduction / mastopexy procedure. The distance from the inframammary fold is increased (to create a more rounded out appearance). The implants will help improve the cleavage area as well (decrease space between the breasts).

	In the most severe cases of tuberous breasts, a breast lift can be done through an incision around the areola, making the breast into a more rounded shape that the patient will be happy with. In many cases however, a lift is not necessary.

	 

	I hope this helps.

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD · Answer

It does sound like you have tuberous breasts.  Breast augmentation and periareolar lift can help correct this problem  The inverted nipples can usually be corrected at the same time.  The tethering ducts are released and some method to hold the mipples out is used.  A nipple piercing can be very effective at this.

James Nachbar, MD · Answer

There are a wide variety of problems that might be described as you have written, but most of them can be significantly improved with surgery.  If you post a photo, we can be more helpful, but your best bet is to see a plastic surgeon.

	Even if you cannot afford surgery now while you are in college, there is no reason for you not to find out what the options are.  Many plastic surgeons will see you without charging for the consult (depending on where you live), and in any case, I am certain that you will feel better with some expert advice regarding your options.

Large, Puffy Areolas, Inverted Nipples, but Small Breasts-- is There a Procedure to Help?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breast augmentation and periareolar lift for correction of puffy nipples

Answer: Breast augmentation and periareolar lift for correction of puffy nipples

Answer: Large areola and small breast

Answer: Large areola and small breast

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Inverted Nipple Surgery

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

Large, Puffy Areolas, Inverted Nipples, but Small Breasts-- is There a Procedure to Help?

Answers (5)

Answer: Breast augmentation and periareolar lift for correction of puffy nipples

Answer: Breast augmentation and periareolar lift for correction of puffy nipples

Answer: Large areola and small breast

Answer: Large areola and small breast

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Inverted Nipple Surgery

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