Areola Reduction: Risky when Done a Second Time?

Question

I have had a mini breast lift, with incision around the areolas, about 6 months ago. I find my areolas sitll pretty big for my bra size (areolas of 4,3mm for bra size 34-A). I would have liked to have them reduced to 3mm, but a surgeon told me there were more risks (skin necrosis, loss of sensibility, etc.) when doing an areola reduction for a second time. Is it really risky?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Make sure you know exactly what was done in the first procedure.  An operative report would be helpful.  However, usually these reductions can be done again.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Areola reduction is not a risky procedure, it does not interfere with the blood flow or nerves to the area and should not have an 'increased' risk as compared to it being done the first time around.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Provided there was no significant sensory loss the first time, a second areolar reduction should pose no more threat than a first one. This revision would presumably be quite superficial--often not even the full thickness of the skin, and should not interfere with either blood supply nor innervation. 

	I would comment that 3 cm is rather small for an areola even on an A cup breast.

	Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A revision of an areola reduction usually is OK. It is best to know exactly what was done the first time.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

After six months, most of the blood supply to the nipple areolar complex has healed. Unless you have other risk factors, re-reduction of the areolas can be performed safely.  38-42 mm is within the standard range for your size breasts.  I would be concerned about possibly over-reducing the areola.  You should mark the areolas out at the final desired size to be certain that you would be happy with that small size prior to proceeding.  Good luck!

Areola Reduction: Risky when Done a Second Time?

Answers (5)