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Areola Reduction is So Worth It!

ORIGINAL POST

Areola Reduction is So Worth It!

allie_question
WORTH IT
I have been embarrassed about my breasts since I was about 17 years old and I finally realized they weren’t going to change any more. I felt like everything that could have been wrong went wrong..small but saggy, different sizes, big areola...you name it. I always felt ashamed with partners even though nobody has ever mentioned it to me. I even felt ashamed with other girl friends and felt like I could never go bra-less. It took me literally a decade of feeling this way to make a consultation with a plastic surgeon, and he immediately told me I would need to get implants and a breast lift to fix my issues. I was so discouraged, because I didn’t want bigger breasts, I just wanted to fix the shape. I also was scared of scarring and the recovery time and obviously the price tag. Two more years went by and I started researching options again. I discovered areola reduction and it sounded like it could be the answer. I reached out to Dr. Sterling’s office and realized I could do this procedure under local anesthesia in 30 minutes which A) was cheaper and B) afforded me the privacy of being able to drive myself and not have to tell anyone, which was important to me. I was worried it was too good to be true but I tried to temper my expectations and also told myself that I would rather do this and take a risk than regret never trying...plus, it’s not like there was much to ruin.
So I had my procedure 10 days ago. It was so quick and easy, I was bracing for pain but after they numbed me up I literally didn’t feel a thing. I only had pain/sensitivity the first night and I just took a few Advil and it went away.
The results have blown me away...I had to post because there was another girl who posted a few years ago that inspired me to do this and I hope I can be that person for someone else. This is honestly one of the best decisions I have ever made, I only wish I had done it sooner. I am so grateful to Dr. Sterling and his team, I honestly feel like my life has changed. I’m only 10 days out and just took my steristrips off today but will continue to post photos.
Overall takeaway...if you have small breasts that look like mine and are considering this but are scared...it’s actually a really simple procedure with low risk and the results are insane

allie_question's provider

Daniel Sterling, MD

Daniel Sterling, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (43)

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May 18, 2020

Thank you for paying it forward by sharing your experience and fabulous results!

May 20, 2020
Please keep posting updates! Very happy for you and your results. Has your doctor discussed what will happen with time? I’ve read that eventually the nipples will stretch back out to their original size :(
I’m considering this procedure and have similar breast as your before, except 1 looks like the “before” and one like “after”.
May 21, 2020
Hi! I had also read that, but my doctor said it was more common with people with large breasts. He also used a permanent suture , in addition to the dissolvable sutures. From everything I've read, procedures where a permanent suture was used have better long-term outcomes.
May 25, 2020
Your post may have just convinced me to get this done! I too don’t want bigger/breast implants. Just want the Areola fixed. Would love to see updated results!
May 27, 2020
I will keep updating my progress!
May 26, 2020
What was the cost?
May 27, 2020
it was 2400 total
May 27, 2020
Where did you have your procedure?
Thanks x
May 29, 2020
I had it at Sterling Plastic Surgery in Bedford, NH
September 27, 2020
sorry, i didn’t see this. thank you
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May 27, 2020
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I went years ago to ask for the same thing, I do not want implants, I hate the thought of extra weight on my chest. I am now seriously considering it.
UPDATED FROM allie_question
1 month post

One month

allie_question
One month...still have some redness/scabs and faint bruising on one breast but feeling great and back to my normal activities. I have very pale areola so I think any redness sticks out more. Still very pleased

Replies (25)

June 20, 2020
Thank you for the update. Healing really well & haven't stretched out which is the common complaint of this procedure.
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
July 19, 2020
You look amazing. So happy for you!! Thanks for sharing.
July 23, 2020
please continue updating!!! I am thinking about this surgery cause I think it would change my life but im scared the scarring will be too noticeable.
August 12, 2020
Hi. Congrats. I had the same procedure last year. Be sure to use scar gel to reduce scarring. I used the ScarAway silicone scar sheets and cut them to strips to use all the way around. Be sure to follow all the instructions and wear constantly, only removing while showering. I used for two months and really faded the scars nicely.
August 18, 2020
starting to research surgeons in my area for this procedure - would you mind sharing approx. price range you were quoted for this?
August 22, 2020
Hi, as info I paid $6650 Sep 2019 in Houston Texas. That included surgeon fee, anesthesia fee, and surgical facility fee.
August 30, 2020
Hi. Congrats. I had the same procedure last year. Be sure to use scar gel to reduce scarring. I used the ScarAway silicone scar sheets and cut them to strips to use all the way around. Be sure to follow all the instructions and wear constantly, only removing while showering. I used for two months and really faded the scars nicely.
September 15, 2020
2500!