Are my areola too big for my breasts and do I need a breast lift? (Photos)

Thanks for your question. You would definitely benefit from a breast lift, which reduces the skin envelope while reshaping the breast tissue into a more youthful and perky shape.  You definitely have to choose your surgeon correctly and make sure that he/she has the training and experience to meet your goals with absolute safety.  A key quality indicator is Board Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Don’t settle for less than a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with specialized expertise in this procedure.

Once you’ve reached your ideal stable weight, a breast lift may help reshape your breasts to make them perkier. At the same time, an areola reduction can be performed to make your overall look more proportionate. While it’s difficult to predict how weight loss will affect your breast appearance, chances are it may not decrease the size of your areolae.

With the right lift, the areolae can be made smaller.  Continue your weight loss journey; losing additional weight will reduce the risks of complications during and after surgery and enhance results.

The size of your areola won't change significantly with weight loss.  You are a candidate for a breast lift and during that procedure the areolar size can be adjusted to a diameter that's more youthful and appropriate for your breasts.  Achieving your goal weight prior to surgery would be ideal, as weight changes after surgery can affect the long-term result of any body contouring procedure.

You need a breast lift and the technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method.  This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage.  Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.  At the same time, the areolas can be reduced to the size desired.  Best Wishes,Gary Horndeski, M.D.

You are ideal for a breast lift also known as a mastopexy.   depending on the size you wish to be you may also want an implant as well.   If you’re not sure about the implant you can always have those placed at a later time.

Congratulations on starting your weight loss journey. Before you consider a procedure I would like to see you lose most if not all of the weight you are planning to lose. Usually 5 to 10 pounds doesn't make a huge difference in the type of procedure but certainly the best results will be obtained if you lose the weight first or get within 5 pounds of your goal weight before planning the procedure. It looks like you will benefit from a breast lift but the exact type may change. Your areolas will only get a little smaller if you lose significant volume in your breasts but usually a reduction will be needed to see a significant change in the proportions which I believe you will still want after the weight loss. At the least I think a vertical or anchor pattern breast lift would give you the desired outcome. Keep up the good work and when you are closer to your goal weight, see a board certified plastic surgeon to review the options and you together will come up with the best plan. 

Yes, a breast lift is needed for enhancement. Weight loss will not make the areolas smaller. Best to wait till you reach your desired stable weight as weight change can affect your surgical result.Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and AuthorRealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee

Dear Calmgirl7,
My preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thatsbeing brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.
If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to 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

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photographs, you are a great candidate for a breast lift.  This can be designed to result in an improved shape and contour of your breasts while minimizing scar appearance.  Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.  

Best wishes and good luck.


Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS

Harvard-trained plastic surgeon