Nipple Reduction

Nipple Reduction
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have

Nipple and/or Areola Reduction
The doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery are specialists in surgically correcting large, long, or droopy nipples and reducing overly large or puffy areolas. By correcting these conditions, the size and shape of the breast can be greatly enhanced. Working with the staff of the Institute, you will be assured of a safe and smooth procedures and a pleasing result.

Are You A Good Candidate for Nipple and/or Areola Reduction?
If you are in general good health and have a clear understanding of the limitations and potential results of your nipple and/or areola reduction, you are an ideal candidate for the procedure.

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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to your surgery, you will meet at length with the staff and doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery. The consultation provides you with a clear understanding of the procedure, as well as an accurate picture of how your breasts will look after the surgery.

The staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will:
· Outline in detail what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Answer all your questions

You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol consumption.

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How The Procedure Is Performed Your nipple and/or areola reduction surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at the hospital or at the Center for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI). The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and generally takes about one hour to complete. You will go home shortly after your surgery.

For nipple reduction, the doctor makes a small incision on the nipple itself. For areola reduction, the doctor makes an incision around the perimeter of the areola. In both cases, the incisions heal very quickly.

Once the incision is complete, the doctor removes excess tissue from the area of the incision. Stitches are then used to close the incision and gauze dressings are placed over the breasts. A special surgical bra is placed over your breasts after the surgery to ensure that your breasts are held in the best position for healing.

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What To Expect After Your Surgery

Activity	When
Shower or Bath	One to Two Days After Surgery
Back to Work	Day After Surgery
Driving	One to Two Days After Surgery
Physical Contact With Breasts	Three to Four Weeks After Surgery
Strenuous Activity	Three Weeks After Surgery
Fading of Scars	Several Months to One Year

Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, you will be ready to go home shortly after your nipple and/or areola reduction procedure. You may be drowsy after the anesthesia and the area around the incisions will be sore so it is important to have someone drive you home after your surgery.

The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you may feel tired from the anesthesia and sore from the surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate most of the discomfort. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly after the first two days.

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The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first week after your surgery. Other things to be aware:

· Any bruising you experience will usually disappear in about two weeks.
· You may experience some numbness in the area of the surgery. This numbness is caused by the swelling of your breasts after surgery and usually disappears within six weeks of surgery.
· You may experience some tingling in the nipple-areola complex after surgery. This is a normal result of the healing process and will go away within six weeks of the surgery.
· Any stitches will be removed within five to seven days after surgery.

You should sleep on your back for the first week after surgery to help with the healing process. You should wear the special surgical bra placed over your breasts after surgery at all times for the first few days. A softer sports bra should be worn at all times for the first two weeks after surgery. The bra should be worn even while sleeping to help hold your breasts in the correct position. You may take the bra off to shower or bathe, but must put it back on immediately after drying off. If the bra feels too tight, call the staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery immediately - bras that are too tight can cause skin problems.

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Resuming Your Normal Routine
You are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:

· You can most likely return to work or school within a day of your surgery.
· You can resume driving within a day or two of your surgery.
· You should avoid sex for at least the first week after your surgery.
· Do not go without a bra for at least six weeks after your surgery.
· Strenuous exercise can begin about two to three weeks after your surgery, but remember that everyone heals at different rates so take these activities slowly until you feel ready. Our patients are encouraged to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff prior to resuming exercise.
· The scars on your breasts should be protected from sunlight for at least a year after surgery.

Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
The skin of your breasts may appear shiny due to swelling. Within a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will return to a normal appearance.
You may experience some numbness in the area of your surgery, but this generally goes away within six weeks of your surgery.
Your breasts may heal at different rates. One breast may swell, one may feel less comfortable, or the shapes of your breasts may look different. This is normal; however, when your body is fully recovered, your breasts will look very similar and natural.

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What Are The Possible Side Effects or Risks?
Like all surgical procedures, there are risks associated with nipple and/or areola reduction surgery. These risks can be greatly reduced by closely following the instructions provided to you by the staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

Some possible side effects include: · Infection
· Loss of nipple sensation
· Scarring

How Long Will the Results of Your Nipple and/or Areola Reduction Last?
Results of your nipple and/or areola reduction are permanent; however, keep in mind that your breasts may droop or sag over time as a natural result of the aging process.

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Questions You May Have

· Are there other procedures that could be done along with nipple and/or areola reduction to enhance the size and shape of my breasts?
Depending on the size and condition of your breasts, a breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction, could be performed to enhance the size and shape of your breasts. All of these options will be discussed with you when you meet with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery.

· Will my insurance coverage pay for my nipple and/or areola reduction surgery?
Nipple and/or areola reduction is a cosmetic procedure and, therefore, not covered by insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment options will be discussed fully with you at your initial consultation.

· Are there alternatives to nipple and/or areola reduction surgery?
There are no non-surgical alternatives that reliably reduce nipple size/projection or areola size.

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