Areola revision after breast reduction - can this be improved 6 years post op? (Photos)

Dear HollyDolly03,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.


Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thank you for your inquiry! We would be happy to meet with you to discuss your goals. Based on the photos, you have retained areola. A revision to remove the retained areola would be the best option. Schedule a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon to help you reach your goals.

In some cases of larger areolae, it may be safer to leave behind a vertical remnant of areola, because complete areolar removal may jeopardize blood flow of the skin flaps during closure. After several months for the new skin to soften and post operative edema to resolve, there is usually sufficient skin laxity to remove the remaining areolar tissue. This may potentially be performed in an office procedure under local anesthesia.

Hello, I’ve reviewed your photos and question carefully.What you are describing looks like true skin redundancy beneath the areola. When the original areola was larger or the skin did not contract fully, a small crescent of excess skin can remain even after a well healed reduction.
The most reliable solution is a minor periareolar revision using your existing scar line. This can involve excising a thin crescent of skin just below the areola to smooth the transition, occasionally combined with a very small vertical wedge if needed for contour. These procedures are typically done under local anesthesia and recovery is straightforward.
If the goal is a cleaner lower areolar edge without changing your overall breast shape, a focused periareolar revision is usually the most direct and predictable path.
I hope this gives you a clear view of how a small revision can refine the areolar border while keeping scars within the existing lines.
Güray Yeşiladalı, MD

Hi. You can definitely get this issue resolved and possibly even re-tighten your breast simultaneously. It should be fairly straightforward. If you talk to your surgeon, he/she can better explain the options. Best of luck!

Thanks for your question! You are far enough out that you could revise the reduction and possibly get a lift or another reduction, and you should be able to get rid of the residual areola. Good luck!

Thank you for your question and pictures. It is true that occasionally some residual areola tissue remains die to the pre-op size of the areolas. At this point, from looking at the pictures, it seems as though doing a breast lift (mastopexy) would be able to remove the extra areolar tissue and lift the breast more. Be sure to see a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for your consultation.

It appears that you are a good candidate for a secondary breast lift which would address the excess leftover areolar skin as you mentioned. Essentially, the excess skin around and under your areolae would be removed. This would include removing your current scars. The result would be a lift of your nipples and areolae and tightening of your breast to give a more rounded perky appearance.

Yes at six years post op you can consider a revision which could address the excess areola tissue and improve your overall result. Visit with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to discuss your concerns and learn more about your options. I've included a video that I hope you find helpful.

It should be possible to get rid of the aerial of skin safely at this point.
Taking out too much skin during the primary procedure can increase the risk of complications so sometimes we need to leave some of that pigmented skin behind for safety reasons.
When doing it as the second procedure, the chance of complications is usually much less.
Either follow up with your provider or schedule a few in person consultations with other plastic surgeons in your community.
FYI,
It’s always best to include before and after pictures.
If you don’t have before and after pictures and ask your surgeon to forward the pictures they took.
You should always have a set of proper before and after pictures and keep those to use as a reference in the future.
If you do need to get copies of before and after pictures, then you should also request a copy of your medical record especially your operative report.
Bring those with you for any secondary consultation.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD