Areolar reduction - the pigmented area around the nipple
The reason for wanting to reduce the size of the areola is usually aesthetic. Some people are born with a large areola, while others have had theirs stretched in connection with the breast becoming larger during pregnancy or weight gain, or as part of a breast development disorder such as tubular breast development. Consideration must be given to whether smaller incisions should also be made vertically under the nipple to relieve the pressure on the areola itself after surgery or a smaller Breast lift if the breasts are sagging. This ensures that the areola retains its shape and diameter after surgery and does not fall back. If there is only a reduction in the actual circumference of the nipple, this can be corrected relatively easily with surgery, either under local anesthesia and/or with sedation.
The stitches leave minimal scars and normally dissolve on their own, or we may remove the stitches after 10 days.
In principle, the operation does not require sick leave, but you should rest for a few days. Physical exercise and hard physical work should be postponed for 2-3 weeks. The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time (3-6 months) they fade and soften. In very rare cases, the scars become wide and clearly visible if the patient easily develops colloid scars. Avoid direct sun exposure during the first year to avoid developing pigment changes and good wound healing.
Pick-up and accommodation
You must arrange in advance for someone to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the operation, as you cannot drive, take public transport or a taxi on your own. You must also have someone with you the same day and the first night.
If you live far from the clinic, we recommend that you stay overnight in Oslo, either with family/friends or at a hotel with a relative.
Hotels near Oslo Plastic Surgery;
Hotel Gabels Hus in Gabelsgate 16.
Frogner House Apartments, Bygdøy Allé 53.
(We have an agreement with Frogner House Apartments, inform about us when booking a room)
Before the operation
You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you are in any doubt about whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation is not performed if you have flu with fever, cough or other infection in the body. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, painkillers if necessary and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
The day before surgery and on the day of the operation, wash your entire body with Hibiscrub solution in the shower. This is a disinfectant soap that should be rinsed off with water and the skin dried with a clean towel. Put on clean clothes when you leave home. Do not use perfume and lotion. All jewelry, piercings and nail polish/fake nails must be removed no later than the day before the operation and replaced 7 to 10 days after the operation.
To get the best possible result and to avoid complications, it is recommended that you have a normal weight and not an excessively high BMI. If you smoke, or use nicotine such as snuff or electronic cigarettes, you must quit at least 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.Â
You should come to the surgery fasting. This means that you should not eat any food including fruit or drink juice with pulp or dairy products 6 hours before the operation. You can drink water, juice, juice without pulp or coffee/tea without dairy products or chew gum/drops/throat lozenges up to 4 hours before the operation. Medication that you may need to take on the day of surgery can be swallowed with 1 glass of water max. 100 ml up to 1 hour before the start of anesthesia.
You must arrange in advance with a person to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the end of the operation, as you cannot drive yourself, take public transport or taxi alone.
It is important that you stop taking blood-thinning medication about 14 days before the operation, preferably in consultation with your GP or us. For other medications, consult the clinic before the operation. You should also avoid eating a lot of garlic and health food preparations.
On the day of surgery
You will be received by our staff who will prepare you for the operation before the surgeon sees you. Before the actual procedure, the surgeon will go through the procedure, draw up the plan and answer any questions you may have. Anesthesia staff will also come and greet you and answer your questions. When the operation is about to begin, the surgical nurse will pick you up and clean the operating area while the anesthesia staff give you a sedative in your arm so you sleep under surgery. In addition, the surgeon will administer a local anesthetic in the operating area for a long-lasting analgesic effect in the operating area after the operation, which also reduces bleeding in the area.
After the operation, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will have your own bed. You will then rest for 1-2 hours and be served food and plenty of drink in the form of sandwiches, yogurt and juice (remember to inform about allergies). Painkillers will be given if necessary. The surgeon will check on you before your return home/hotel stay and you will be cleared by anesthesia staff before you go home with an adult companion. The PVK attached to your hand will be removed before you leave. A car or taxi must be used as a means of transportation immediately after surgery, we do not recommend public transport or walking.
After the operation
All patients come for a post-operative check-up the day after surgery. We recommend that you do not travel by air for the first 48 hours after surgery. During this time, a follow-up appointment will be arranged at the clinic and you should come to the clinic the day after the surgery.
In the first few hours after the operation, you may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nauseous. It's important that you take painkillers as prescribed and as needed, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours. Some people may feel a little dizzy, so it's a good idea to take a few minutes to stand up. For the first two days, you should rest and lie as still as possible, with your upper body elevated. For the next five days, you can move gently. If you have an active job, it's a good idea to stay at home. After the operation, you will be given a special bandage that will be removed after 3 days, the tape will be kept on for 2 weeks. You should wear a sports bra for 6 weeks after the bandage is removed. After the tape is removed (after 2 weeks), you can shower the area and apply new tape. It is recommended that you tape the scars with skin-friendly tape for at least 2 months. Surgical tape such as Micropore or Steri-Strip can be purchased at the pharmacy, alternatively silicone tape.
We close the wound with stitches that dissolve on their own.
The final result can only be assessed after 3-6 months. Follow-up checks are arranged with the clinic; the day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months, as well as a final check after a year. You must call to arrange the check-ups yourself, or alternatively make an appointment with the clinic on the day of the operation.
Ask for guidance and advice
We can give you the best advice face to face. We will guide you to the best solution for you.
The doctor in charge is Dr. Amin Kalaaji, senior consultant dr.med, specialist in plastic surgery and head of the clinic at Oslo Plastikkirurgi, and head of the Norwegian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NFEP) 2018-2020.
Dr. Kalaaji holds many positions and gives lectures and training around the world. This benefits all our patients as he is always up to date on the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques.Â
Patient safety, high quality and individual treatment are always our top priorities at Oslo Plastikkirurgi.Â
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Oslo Plastic Surgery answers frequently asked questions here, and we hope this provides you with good information. We want to be helpful in the process before a surgery. If you have any further questions, just write or call us.
When you want less areola and/or change shape.
When you have underdeveloped or tubular breasts.
If there is a difference in breast volume/breast asymmetry.
Areolar reduction involves removing the skin at the outer edge of the areola to reduce the size of the nipple. The wound is closed with stitches that dissolve on their own if no other thread is to be used.
The surgery can be performed as a separate surgery, or as part of a breast lift or breast reduction.
Normally you can exercise gently after 3 weeks, and you should use your arms carefully for the first three weeks after the procedure, i.e. do not lift your arms high, nor sleep on your stomach.
You can work normally after 1-2 days, as long as you do not have hard physical work. Consult with your doctor about this at the consultation in case.
All patients must undergo a consultation before surgery. The consultation is conducted by our experienced plastic surgeon who will ask you questions about your medical status; previous or current illnesses, previous surgeries, use of medication and the like. An examination will then be carried out, and the surgeon will consider a possible surgery.
If you are suitable for surgery, you will receive information about the operation itself, precautions for the time before and after the procedure, and you will get answers to your questions.
For patients with long travel distances, we offer consultations via telephone and/or video consultation. We will then send you a health information form in advance, which must be completed and returned to us before the consultation. You also send us some photos.
If a surgery is required, the surgeon will carry out a thorough assessment the day before the planned operation.
You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you have any doubts about whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation will not be performed if you have flu and/or fever or a cough or other infection. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, painkillers and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
In Norway, it is not permitted to show before and after pictures of silicone from cosmetic procedures in marketing or on the clinic's website. However, we can show great pictures from previous patients when you come for a consultation with the surgeon. This can be a great help, and it can make it easier for you to imagine an expected result.
If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our one-year guarantee agreement.