Areola reduction surgery is a cosmetic surgery that adjusts the areola size through surgical means. It is suitable for individuals whose areola is too large due to congenital or acquired factors, affecting their appearance or self-identity. With the development of medical technology, this surgery has gradually become standardized and minimally invasive, and has attracted the attention and choice of a large number of people.
1. Indications and surgical purposes of areola reduction
Areola reduction surgery is mainly suitable for patients whose areola diameter significantly exceeds the normal range (generally 4 to 5 cm), or whose areola expands due to breastfeeding, hormonal changes, weight fluctuations and other factors, resulting in visual disharmony. For some patients, the areola proportion affects the overall aesthetic sense of the breast, which in turn affects their psychological state and self-confidence.
The main goals of surgery are to:
①, Adjust the proportion between areola, breast and nipple;
②Restore the overall visual coordination of the breast;
③. Improve the psychological burden on patients caused by their appearance.
2. Surgical method and operation process
Areola reduction surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia. Depending on the patient's needs and individual circumstances, circular excision, radial incision, or combined nipple plastic surgery can be performed. The surgery is usually performed by an experienced plastic surgeon in a sterile environment.
Common surgical procedures include:
Preoperative marking : The doctor will make positioning marks on the edge of the areola based on the designed areola diameter.
Local anesthesia : Local anesthetic is injected to ensure that the patient has no obvious discomfort during the operation.
Circular excision : The areola tissue that is too wide is removed according to the marked range.
Suture fixation : Use cosmetic suturing to tighten the areola diameter and maintain symmetry.
Postoperative bandage : Use sterile dressing to bandage and fix the wound area.
The entire surgical process usually takes 1 to 2 hours, with small incisions and a short recovery period. Most patients do not need hospitalization for observation after surgery.
3. Do you need hospitalization?
Areola reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure in most cases and does not require hospitalization.
This judgment is mainly based on the following points:
Small surgical trauma : Areola reduction is a superficial tissue plastic surgery with limited excision range and little bleeding;
Safe anesthesia : most cases use local anesthesia or local anesthesia plus sedation, with a short awake time after surgery and rapid recovery;
Mild postoperative reactions : The main symptoms after surgery are slight swelling, local tightness or mild pain, which can usually be controlled by oral analgesics;
Postoperative management is simple : no complicated monitoring and infusion support are required after surgery, and most patients can go home after resting for a few hours after surgery.
However, your doctor may recommend short-term observation or hospitalization in the following situations:
① Those with underlying diseases such as abnormal coagulation function, diabetes or hypertension;
②. Need to be combined with other breast plastic surgery projects (such as breast augmentation or nipple reduction);
③ Individuals with slow recovery, stronger postoperative reactions or high risk of infection.
Therefore, whether to be hospitalized should be determined by a professional physician based on the individual's health status and actual intraoperative conditions.
IV. Postoperative recovery and care points
To promote postoperative recovery and reduce the risk of complications, patients need to pay attention to the following care measures:
Avoid strenuous exercise : Avoid lifting heavy objects, chest expansion exercises and high-intensity physical activities within 1 week after surgery to prevent traction on the wound.
Keep clean and dry : The surgical area should be kept away from water stains, and the chest area should be temporarily avoided when bathing to prevent infection.
Change dressings and reexamine on time : Reexamination and suture removal are carried out according to the doctor's arrangement. Generally, the first suture removal is carried out 7 to 10 days after the operation.
Wear comfortable bras : It is recommended to wear soft and fitting bras without underwires after surgery to avoid compression of the nipple and areola area.
Avoid sexual stimulation and intense pressure : During the recovery period, avoid direct stimulation of the breasts during sexual intercourse to prevent the wound from being affected or causing bleeding.
5. Possible complications after surgery and treatment measures
Although areola reduction surgery is a relatively low-risk cosmetic procedure, the following complications may still occur:
Infection : manifested by redness, swelling, fever or exudation, you should seek medical attention promptly and use antibiotics according to the doctor's advice;
Scar formation : Individual differences may lead to scar hyperplasia, which can be lightened with silicone gel or laser treatment after surgery;
Changes in nipple sensitivity : Some patients will experience decreased or increased sensitivity after surgery, but most will gradually recover within a few months;
Symmetry deviation : If the intraoperative operation and postoperative recovery process are not strictly controlled, the areola on both sides may be inconsistent in size, which can be improved through secondary trimming.
6. Psychological factors and patient expectation management
Areola reduction surgery not only involves changes in external morphology, but is also closely related to the individual's psychological expectations. Patients should communicate in detail before surgery, clarify their own needs, and set reasonable surgical goals under the guidance of professional doctors. Blindly pursuing extremely small areola or excessive surgery may lead to functional or aesthetic inconsistency, and the treatment effect should be viewed rationally.
It is recommended to evaluate the patient's psychological adaptability to surgery and improve postoperative satisfaction through professional psychological counseling or preoperative interviews.
VII. Analysis of Suitable Population and Contraindications
Suitable for the crowd:
① Those with obvious areola expansion and aesthetic demands for breast appearance;
② Those whose areola cannot recover naturally after childbirth;
③ Those whose areola is asymmetrical in size and affects their image;
④. Patients who need to adjust the overall visual proportion of their breasts.
Relatively contraindicated groups:
①. Women in pregnancy and lactation period;
② Those with acute inflammation or lumps in the breast or areola area;
③ Those with a history of severe scarring or allergies;
④. Those with unstable mental state or serious mental illness.
8. Discussion on social acceptance and medical ethics
In recent years, breast plastic surgery has gradually been accepted by the general public, and areola reduction is one of the procedures. More women are paying attention to its positive effects on the physical and mental levels. However, from an ethical point of view, medical institutions need to conduct a full evaluation before surgery to confirm the necessity and feasibility of the surgery to avoid over-medicalization or blindly following the trend.
Physicians should fulfill their obligation to provide full informed consent before surgery, including intraoperative risks, postoperative recovery period, and possible adverse reactions, respect the patient's right to make independent decisions, and protect the patient's rights and interests within the legal and ethical framework.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Areola reduction surgery is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgery procedure. In most cases, hospitalization is not required and recovery after surgery is relatively quick. Before deciding on the surgery, patients should consider their personal physical condition, cosmetic demands, and financial affordability, and fully communicate and plan. Postoperative care and follow-up according to the doctor's orders will help improve satisfaction and stability of efficacy. Scientific and rational aesthetics and healthy psychological expectations are important foundations for achieving good plastic surgery results.