The female breast is not defined only by its shape and size. The proportions of the nipple are also decisive for the overall aesthetic picture. Areolas that are too large or irregular, as well as areolas of differing sizes, can give a woman the feeling of having an unattractive breast.
Plastic surgery can visually adjust the nipples and thereby improve their appearance. Dr. Özdemir has many years of practical experience in operations of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, such as areola reduction.
What is the areola?
Extended or arched areolas, as well as asymmetries of the areola when comparing the left with the right breast, can lead to dissatisfaction and distress in the affected women.
The nature of the areolas is genetically determined. However, changes can occur over time, for example due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, strong weight changes and operations. These can unfavourably affect the appearance of the nipple. With an areola reduction in Vienna, Dr. Özdemir can correct and visually adjust the areola. The short procedure can lead to a new feeling about one's body and life.
Preliminary consultation for areola reduction / areola correction
Before the areola correction, a preliminary medical examination and measurement of the areola are required. In a personal consultation, Dr. Özdemir advises you in detail and is happy to answer your questions. Patients often have precise ideas. As a specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. Özdemir assesses to what extent these can be implemented. He informs you about the course of the procedure and your individual options.
The course of the procedure depends on the personal conditions, which vary from patient to patient. In the preliminary consultation, Dr. Özdemir also informs you about the risks and possible complications of the procedure. You should feel confident and comfortable with your decision. The specialist will also tell you the cost. Feel free to arrange a consultation appointment.
Course of the areola reduction in Vienna
The practice is a private practice only; there is no health insurance contract.
Dr Özdemir recommends general anaesthesia for this procedure. Unlike a nipple correction, the operating area here is larger, because skin is excised around the entire areola; a local anaesthetic is not reliably sufficient for that. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis, so you go home the same day.
The procedure can also be combined with other breast operations, for example with a breast lift, a breast augmentation or a breast reduction.
Dr. Özdemir carries out the operation with many years of experience and modern surgical techniques. During the operation, the excess part of the areola skin is removed. Dr. Özdemir removes the skin in a ring or crescent shape in order to reduce the area of the areola. In doing so, he tightens the breast minimally. The goal is to achieve a natural result. The wound is then closed with self-dissolving sutures. The scar runs around the areola and remains visible. In favourable cases it takes on a lighter shade over the years and becomes flatter; it is not to be expected that it will disappear completely. It does, however, lie on the colour border between the areola and the skin, where it is less noticeable than elsewhere. Immediately after the operation, a dressing is applied to protect the nipples.
It is not always necessary to correct both areolas to achieve the desired aesthetics. If there is a height asymmetry, the operation is carried out either on just one areola or on both. If, on the other hand, the areola is too small, it can be extended to the desired size.
After the areola reduction
Longer downtimes are usually not to be expected after an areola reduction on its own. The small procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis. In the first few days after the operation, you should avoid physical exertion. If your work is not physically demanding, you can resume it after just a few days. Stronger pressure on the nipple should be avoided. A dressing that supports healing is worn for about two weeks. Avoid sport for two weeks.
The follow-up appointments are two weeks after the operation and once more after one year.
Combination with other breast operations
Frequently, an areola correction and/or nipple correction is carried out as part of a breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction, so that a harmonious overall picture is created. The areola is adjusted accordingly. The combined operations are more extensive, so healing and downtimes are correspondingly longer. However, the areola correction can also be carried out subsequently or independently of other breast operations.
In many cases, in addition to the areola change, a simultaneous nipple correction is also desired, for example when women are dissatisfied with the size or shape of their nipples (e.g. nipple reduction) or have inverted nipples. Nipples that are too large, too thick or too long then disturb visually and can also cause pain when wearing tight or rough clothing.
What are the risks of an areola reduction?
The procedure is small and is performed on an outpatient basis. Small, however, does not mean risk-free.
Sensation in the nipple. The incision runs around the areola and thus through the area of the fine nerves that supply the nipple. An altered sensation in the first weeks is common. It usually recedes; a permanent reduction is possible.
Ability to breastfeed. If the incision goes deep around the areola, milk ducts can be affected as well.
The scar can widen. After the reduction, the areola is under tension because the surrounding tissue pulls inward. Even a layered wound closure cannot rule out that these tension conditions lead, over time, to a renewed widening of the circular scar and, with it, of the areola.
Renewed enlargement. The areola can widen again over time, particularly after pregnancy, breastfeeding or marked weight fluctuations.
Wound healing, post-operative bleeding, infection. Rare with small procedures, but possible.
Asymmetry. Both areolas are rarely exactly the same size even beforehand. The goal is a harmonious overall picture, not millimetre-precise equality.
Are there alternatives to the procedure?
Doing nothing. A large areola is not a medical problem. The procedure is purely aesthetic — and it trades a size for a permanent scar around the areola.
Waiting for a planned breast operation. If a breast lift, reduction or augmentation is planned anyway, the areola is generally adjusted at the same time. Then no separate procedure and no additional anaesthesia are needed.
