Areolar Surgery

So many patients come to me after they have lived with areolar issues that they have hated for years, having had no idea that these issues could be corrected and cured with a comfortable and straightforward operation. I understand how this condition can be very disturbing to patients, regardless of the degree, and I want you to know I can help you with this issue.

The areola is a Latin word for “area,” or “open place.” It describes the circular pigmented area of the central breast with the nipple in the middle. Men and women alike may be born with all sorts or different anatomic variations, or they may develop them later in life. The areolae contain extra sweat glands that occasionally may look like pimples. These are for providing lubrication when breast-feeding. The size and shape of the areola are highly variable. For instance, your areolae may be very large in diameter, or puffy, or droopy, or swollen, or any combination of these. The nipples may be normal or unusual, but this is often not related to what is going on with the areolae. Surgery is commonly performed to make the diameter of the areolae smaller (this has the added benefit of lifting the breast and making it perkier!). Also, the surgery may be designed to de-bulk some of the tissue beneath and make it less puffy (this is more often the case in men). Procedures on the areolae are very predictable and safe and are commonly performed with only a local anesthesia, allowing you to return to work on the same day. A pencil-line thin incision is made around the entire areolae at the junction of the dark and the light skin, and a “donut” of tissue is removed. There may be some resultant ripples at the incision line; however, these will smooth with time. There is no risk of injury to your nerves or breast ducts, so sensation, stimulation, and ability to breast-feed remain intact and normal. All of the stitches are dissolvable; recovery and return to full activity are almost immediate.

Surgery of the nipple and areolar surgeries are very common in my practice, and I have performed hundreds of these procedures over the years. I have special expertise in this procedure and spend a great deal of time discussing your anatomy, listening to your expectations, and interpreting for you what your anatomy and body will safely and predictably allow me to do. In addition I build a system into every surgery that, initially, allows you to recover much more quickly and, secondly, preserves your surgical results. This system includes a special diet, vitamins, supplements, skin products, physical training, and knowing what to avoid. Together all of this allows me to create results that are consistently very beautiful, quick to heal, and exceptionally natural. I use minimal incisions, especially in an area of such great importance to men and women. Even though patients occasionally tell me they think this condition is trivial, it is clearly a high priority, or you would not be reading this. I am delighted to provide you such a profound body-image change that has so consistently pleased my patients and changed their lives.

You may also wish to read Dr. Romano’s article on nipple surgery.