Can I have my areolae reduced with breast lift?

Areola reduction is standard practice for a breast lift. With weight loss, you will have significant excess skin and will need a wise pattern skin resection (inverted T or anchor style scars). This will accomplish your breast lift, reshaping, and areola reduction all in one surgery.

Congratulations on your significant weight loss! It's common for breasts to sag and areolas to enlarge after weight changes, and it's understandable that you want to address these concerns.
Yes, it is possible to lift your breasts (mastopexy) and reduce the size of your areolas in one surgery. This combined procedure is frequently done to achieve a more youthful and proportionate appearance. Here are some points to consider:
Mastopexy (Breast Lift): This procedure will lift and reshape your breasts, removing excess skin and tightening the surrounding tissue to support the new breast contour.
Areola Reduction: During the mastopexy, the size of your areolas can be reduced by removing a circular piece of tissue around the perimeter of the areola and suturing the remaining skin.
Minimizing Scarring: The type of incision used can influence the extent of scarring. Here are some common options:
Periareolar Incision: This involves a circular incision around the areola, which can be used for minor lifts and areola reduction.Vertical Incision (Lollipop Lift): This includes a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision down to the breast crease, which provides more lift.Anchor Incision (Inverted-T): This includes a circular incision around the areola, a vertical incision down to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision along the breast crease. This is used for more significant lifting and reshaping.Post-Operative Care: Following your surgeon's aftercare instructions is crucial for minimizing scarring. This can include using silicone sheets, scar creams, and avoiding activities that might strain the incision sites.
Choosing the Right Surgeon: Selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in breast surgeries is essential for achieving the best results with minimal scarring. They can provide personalized advice based on your anatomy and goals.
Discuss your concerns and desired outcomes with your surgeon to determine the best surgical plan for you. They will be able to explain the benefits and potential risks associated with each incision type and help you make an informed decision.

Congrats on your weight loss! Based on limited photos - it appears that you may benefit from an extended mastopexy- it will help you achieve perky, more youthful looking breasts and reduce the size of your areola. I suggest that you seek an experienced Board Certified PS and review your options

Hi @Californiagirl2024, thank you for your question. It is possible to reposition and improve the shape of the breast with minimal scarring by elevating the base and improving the overall proportion. This will create overall harmony. The lift will be performed through an L-shaped scar instead of an anchor with the BRALIFT (Breast Reconstruction Anatomical Lift) technique can be performed to reposition the breast tissue and improve the projection of the upper pole and medial areas. The shape and size of the areola will also be reshaped to create the most natural appearance. A consultation is vital to establish a surgical plan that meets your needs, fulfills your expectations and takes into account what is possible. Best regards.

Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Member of the International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” (IFATS), Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Member of the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery (SCCP).

Yes, areola reduction is routinely done at the time of a breast lift and is considered an aesthetically recommended part of the procedure.

Thanks for your question. From your pictures, you seem to be a good candidate for a breast lift and areola reduction. I recommend scheduling a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience with breast procedures and clean credentials. Hope this helps. Take care, Moises Salama MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

You are an excellent candidate for a breast lift. This will reduce areolas, reshape the breast and provide good proportion. There will be standard “anchor” scars as there is no way around that, but still way with while. The satisfaction rate is universally high with minimal downtime and risk. See link. Thank you.

Dear Californiagirl2024,
yes, it is possible to get areola reduction at the same time as breast lift. 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 thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You pose an excellent question about the shape of the areola and the breast lift operation. A breast lift involves reshaping the areolas and repositioning them to a higher, more symmetrical position. And all forms of breast lift can reduce the size of your areolas.

The anchor incision lift is likely to provide the best long-term results for you. This type of lift allows for significant skin removal, reshaping of the breast mound, and repositioning the areolas to a higher, central position on the breast.

Dr. B.

Thank you for your photograph. It appears that you have a grade 3 ptosis of your breasts and would likely require an anchor incision to lift your breast and areola to their proper position. At the same time, because of the pattern shape of the anchor incision, your areola would be reduced in size. You may wish to consider having a partial breast reduction at the same time, to decrease the weight of your breasts and help to minimize the potential for early relaxation of your breast shape. If you are pleased with the volume of breast tissue that you have, you still may wish to have some liposuction done of the tail of your breast, which extends out underneath your armpit, as that area appears full. Best wishes.