Areola Reduction Surgery
at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C.

Areola reduction surgery is a fairly straightforward procedure performed as an outpatient under local or general anesthesia. There are a few techniques used for this procedure and they will vary based on the surgeon’s preferences and the patient’s needs. When performing areola reduction, most plastic surgeons will mark a circle within or around the outside of the current areola and then mark a circle indicating where to make the new areola. The surgeon will then make an incision between the circles and remove and tighten the existing skin tissue. In some cases, the surgeon may use dissolvable sutures or they may use permanent sutures based on the type of breast tissue.

The length of your recovery depends on what type of anesthesia you received. If you had a local anesthesia you may be able to go home almost immediately. However, the surgeon will want to observe you for a few hours if you had a general anesthesia. Following surgery, you may have a special postsurgical bra or surgical dressings.

During your recovery period, your surgeon may advise you to:

• Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for the first few weeks
• Avoid chest contact for three to four weeks
• Avoid sexual activity for one week
• Take over the counter pain medication as needed

Each case is unique so it is important to follow your plastic surgeons post-operative recommendations. He or she will schedule a follow up appointment about two weeks after the surgery to remove stitches if not dissolvable and check on the healing process.

Areola Reduction Surgery should be a long lasting, and permanent. As the swelling subsides and healing is completed, the results will become more evident as time progresses.