Breast Reduction Q&A
95%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
450 Reviews
Breast Reductionbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Breast Reduction Cost: $4,675

Learn about Breast Reduction

1,809 people and 560 doctors are talking about Breast Reduction

Get Free Email Updates

Nipples Too High After Breast Reduction

asked 2 years ago by chant98 in Croatia
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 966 times
Tags: nipples

I had a breast reduction 2 months ago and my nipples are way too high, placed somewhere between 19 and 15cm. I know it's still too early for the final result, but I'm afraid they will not get any lower. How long should I wait before I consider "repairing" that?

7 answers to Nipples Too High After Breast Reduction

+2

High Nipples after a Breast Reduction

Overly elevated nipple complexes after a breast Reduction / Breast Lift is a known complication which will NOT get better with time. As gravity changes the shape of the breasts and pulls them further down the unflattering results are termed STAR GAZING NIPPLES. Correcting this deformity is challenging. The correction is best done when the breasts have achieved their stable position and the post surgical inflammation has subsided - usually 6-8 months. At that time several techniques may... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nipples Too High after Breast Reduction?

I'm sorry to hear about the results after breast reduction surgery. I would suggest waiting at least 6 months after surgery before contemplating revisionary surgery. At that point, you may want to visit with several well experienced plastic surgeons to discuss options. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nipples too high

If your nipples were set at 19 cms or so, they may be a bit high for you. You will have to wait at least 6 months or longer to have them revised, but it is very difficult to lower the nipples.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

"Riding High"

 It sounds unlikely that your nipple/areola complexes will settle lower.  It is best to wait 3-6 months after surgery to allow settling and softening of the breast tissues before attempting to lower the nipple/areola complex. Dr. ES
Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Overly high nipples after breast reduction

Unfortunately this will not self-correct and even surgical revision is difficult.  You should wait 3-4 months and then visit some other surgeons for their advice.  The best way to position the nipple is based on its relationship to the crease below the breast rather than by measuring from the sternal notch.  That way, I never see this problem.  The only patients who have come to me with this have all had their nipples positioned based on the distance from the notch... more
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nipples can be lowered after breast reduction.

Hi. 1) This is one of the hardest deformities to correct after breast reduction. The nipples will not come down on their own. 2) Wait several months to allow the scars to soften before having a revision. When, the nipples are brought down, I am afraid you will have vertical scars above the nipples.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correction of Highly Placed Nipples

You should wait another 4-5 months to see if there is any change in your situation.  Unfortunately there probably will not be an improvement; in fact, it may worsen if  some "bottoming-out" occurs.  It is almost always possible to elevate the nipple-areolar complex but it is very difficult to lower a nipple which has been placed too high.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question