Nipple & Areola Repair or Resizing

Few people spend a lot of time thinking about nipples. For a breast surgery specialist, this is a daily occurrence. Much like the belly button acts like a face, or focal point, on the belly, the nipple is critical to the aesthetics of the breast.

The female nipple standardizes to approximately 4cm in diameter, with the male nipple being smaller. There are position, size, and shape considerations when observing the “ideal” nipple, and of course, few people are born with that perfection. While variations are wonderful, there are outliers that appear irregular.

In some cases, areola size is a concern. Usually, the problem is a large areola that is disproportionate to the rest of the breast. For small size changes, a simple procedure can work well. For larger size changes, an extended scar pattern may be required.

Nipple size can also be an issue. A large or long nipple can be uncomfortable or even show through clothing. In many cases, adjustments can be made to either aspect. A more common nipple procedure is treatment of the INVERTED NIPPLE. This is like the opposite of making an “innie” belly button. It takes the tethered nipple tip and releases it so that it can take on a more button-like shape.

For patients who desire gender affirmation of the breast, nipple and areola procedures are common to create shapes that convey the desired look. A thorough conversation with the use of photographs is helpful to figure out the target shape, size, and position. Once adjusted, nipple and areola appearance can have a compelling and definitive effect on the overall appearance of the breast area.