Breast Reduction - Signs of Nipple Necrosis?

I just had a Breast reduction 5 days ago. I went for 3 day check up and dr said everything looked normal but Im still scared bc I didnt see them until that night when I took shower. I have bright red and purple around nipple area(I think blood pooled under surface. My R nipple does not have much bruising or blood under the surface and has feeling. My L nipple has purple bruising underneath it and has no feeling. Is this normal? Both are warm to the touch. What are signs of nipple necrosis?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon77 in lexington KY

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It is not unusual for there to be bruising and for one to be worse or more severe than the other following breast reduction. Similarly, decreased nipple sensation is also common in the early post-operative period. Nipple necrosis may be difficult to assess and a crude way of assessing viablity may be a simple needle prick to see if the area bleeds bright red blood. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Breast Reduction - Signs of Nipple Necrosis?

It is difficult to evaluate your nipples without seeing you. It sounds as if you have some bruising with one side being worse than the other side. This occurs after breast reduction and usually is self-limiting.

Nipple necrosis?

Without seeing you in person and evaluating your nipple areola complexes it would be difficult to say how yours are doing. Bruising can happen and numbness can occur.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Could it be Nipple Necrosis?

Nipple Necrosis is very rare and is usually caused by impaired blood flow to the nipple after surgery. The nipple will begin as a purple color and then turn black. Alternatively, your left nipple could just be experiencing more bruising and swelling than the other. I would recommend continued follow-up with your surgeon, but your symptoms are fairly common. Lack of feeling can occur in one, both, or not at all. Have your surgeon monitor and advise.

Nipple viability in Breast Reduction

It is normal for the nipples to be numb and bruised after a breast reduction surgery After a breast reduction surgery it is pretty rare (but not impossible) to get nipple necrosis. Most often there is bruising and swelling that will go away with time. The numbness feeling is also normal and should go away after some time. Nipple necrosis occurs when the blood supply to the nipple is poor or if the blood outflow is poor. Poor blood flow into the nipple/areola can... more