Breast Reduction with Implant: Nipples Healing at Different Rates

I had a breast reduction w/ implant on 3/18 - my left nipple/areola complex has healed beautiful. It is pink, feeling has returned, and the incisions closed nicely. The right breast however, is seriously behind. I was wondering if this is normal for 3 weeks post-op and I'm just antsy due to the fact that the left healed so quickly, or something is wrong. I use a hydrogen peroxide/water mixture to cleanse it and then Bacitracin over it 2x/day. It's neither worse nor better in the past week.

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Trifecta

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Different nipple healing rates--is this normal?

Your breasts look quite good and are healing normally, albeit at different rates. This is the rule rather than the exception. Do not worry, circulation appears good and you appear to have a good cosmetic result. BUT . . . I would recommend stopping the hydrogen peroxide and Bacitracin, now. Hydrogen peroxide is helpful when a wound is contaminated, has recent infection, or is an otherwise "dirty" wound. In the absence of this, you are simply irritating the tissues as they try... more

Not unusual to have a difference in healing rate of two breasts

It is very common for both breasts to heal at its own time. You need to think about breast surgery as of a separate procedure for each breast. Make sure to follow your surgeon’s instruction as far as the postoperative care for the best results possible. If you concern consult your surgeon. Once the nipples are completely healed you can use treatment to reduce the visibility of the scars. see video

Will breast reduction scars heal differently?

As Dr. Ortegon, my old frined from San Antonio, explains, these are two different operations which may heal at different rates. The scars are appropriately red at this point. There appears to be no tissue loss so I would expect good healing ultimately.

Breast surgery recovery

Each breast may heal at a slightly different speed. They both look nice and have a nice shape. Give them time to heal. If you have concerns speak with your surgeon.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast healing after breast reduction

Yes it appears that all is well. You can expect to have different rates of healing because they are essentially two different operations done at the same time. Continue to follow the directions from your PS and allow some healing time.

Nipple Healing

In bilateral procedures, it is not unusual for healing differences to occur between sides. This may be related to differences on breast size, tissue quality, or even which side you sleep on! Your healing is totally normal. You are dong excellent wound care, and your scars will heal well.

Breast healing

The Nipple healing in the pictures is completely normal. In a breast reduction or breast lift with augmentation the nipple and areola complex is move upwards to a more youthful position. There are multiple factors in healing such as smoking history, tension, underlying health problems, and bleeding(hematoma) or infection. These can all delay healing. One side of the body always heals differently than the other but it seems like you are healing well after your breast augmentation and... more