Can A Breast Reduction Be Done With A Periareolar Method?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Hi, I’m interested in the periareolar breast reduction with lift and wondered if you perform this procedure? Also, I am interested in a tummy tuck at the same time if possible. Does you accept Tricare Prime insurance or Tricare and you a network or nonnetwork provider?

A: Thank you for your inquiry. For the sake of clarification, there is no such thing as a periareolar breast reduction procedure. Limiting the skin removed to the circumareolar area will not only not do any actual breast reduction but is a very poor method of breast lifting for most women with any degree of breast ptosis. (sagging) The only conceivable case in which a periareolar technique may be used successfully is where there is a very minimal amount of breast sagging and liposuction is be used for the removal of some breast tissue. Such a scenario would be most uncommon for most women who seek breast reduction surgery. I would have to see some picture of your breasts to see if this is a possibility for you. The reality about combined breast reduction/lifting is that it requires scars around the areola and downward to the lower breast fold and along the lower breast crease. (anchor scar pattern) This is the only method of breast reduction that actually really works.

It is certainly possible and very common to do any type of abdominal contouring in conjunction with any form of breast reshaping. When done together, these combined operations actually have a name….the Mommy Makeover.

Lastly, I am not a provider in the TriCare insurance program.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana