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Enlarged Nipple After Breast Lift

I am 21 years old, and I have had a breast lift with breast augmentation four days ago. My recovery has been pretty easy actually, my only concern is that my left nipple protrodes out farther than my right. It is also much more sensitive. Is it possible that it is just swollen and that it was decrease in size as I heal or does it look like I will need to have nipple revision?

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23 Doctor Answers | Asked by Lindlec in Tulsa, OK

Doctor Answers (23)
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Asymmetry Soon After Surgery

Congratuations on your recent surgery! It is entirely normal to see differences between the breasts (like the ones you describe) soon after surgery that even out as swelling dissipates and healing progresses. Don't hesitate to call your surgeon and express your concerns; your surgeon will want to know if you perceive a problem, examine you and address your questions!

At tihs point you just need more time

There will always be early asymmetries with a breast augmentation and a breast lift. You are very early in the healing process. The biggest problem with breast surgery is that there is another breast to compare it to. One side will always bruise less, feel better and drop faster, but in the end there will be improved symmetry. You can always expect some swelling of the areola and it is not unusual to have increased sensitivity on only one side. Continue with your recovery routine and... more

Speaking generally...

Nipple sensation is rather unpredictable after surgery. Patients often worry about numbness or decreased sensativity but their nipples canalso become hypersensitive which is sometimes more uncomfortable. Sensory changes usually subside and revert back to normal in most cases after a few weeks or months. Nipple projection can increase from swelling of course and probably is the case if your nipple is significantly larger than pre-op amd your areola is swollen too. In addition, nipple... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Nipples after breast lift

Breast lift and revision may take some time to heal and swelling is possible. Your asymmetry in nipple size and shape may reflect early edema. You should not be concerned at this stage.

Nipple asymmetry after breast lift with augmentation

Changes in the nipple and breast will continue to occur for several days and weeks after mastopexy and augmentation. Allow your body more time to heal before you begin to consider revision surgery.

Asymmetry for several weeks after breast lift is common. Waiting generally takes care of the problem.

Asymmetric healing is the rule rather than the exception with most operations. Almost always, with time the asymmetries evaporate. Even if not, now is not the time to surgically address the problems. Wait 6 months and you will probably have no issues.

Enlarged nipple after breast lift surgery

After a breast lift surgery some swelling of the nipples is possible. This is largely dependent on the technique that the surgeon used during the procedure. For many of our periareolar incisions, we use a strong suture around the perimeter of your new areola. This will help prevent widening of the areolas during the healing process. However, many time swelling can be noted within this circle throughout the areola and the nipple. We tell our patients to anticipate this and to... more

Enlarge nipple after a breast augmentation

An enlarged nipple and areola complex just after surgery is very common. Most likely this is due to swelling and will improve over the next few weeks.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Enlarged nipple after breast lift and augmentation

What you are describing is very common. As all have advised, stick close to your good doctor and ask these questions of them and give it at least 6 months before becoming the least bit concerned. It is probably just swelling. The only other thing to realize is that it may be a magnification of something that was already there preop but you just didn't notice. A quick check of your preop photos will tell you that.

Nipple Asymmetry 4 days after breast lift

We frequently see asymmetry in swelling, soreness even drain output in many patients. I would not get too worried about ANY of this for the time being. As time passes both areolas will become symmetrical but the process may take 5-8 months.

Breast lift and different sized areolas or nipples.

We generally wait at least 6 and preferably 9 months after performing breast surgery prior to performing breast revision surgery. It is very likely that an absorbably suture or excessive tightness is responsible for the appearance of the areola. It is possible that time will result in improvement in the described appearance. Keep in close contact with your surgeon. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Patience and Communication with your surgeon.

Lindlec: It's good that your recovery has been pretty easy. You should be over most of the discomfort. Even if your surgeon did similar procedures on both breasts, at 4 days it is common for there to be differences in swelling, tenderness, sensation, contour, etc. Your surgeon and his or her staff should be able to guide you and advise you throughout your recovery. Just talk with them.

Unlikely long term

It is unlikely that your problem will persist for any lengthy period of time. Differences in appearance and fealing are common and natural shortly after surgery. Allow your self several weeks to heal and then reassess. I doubt that any significant difference between the two sides will persist. All the best.

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Nipple Asymmetry

Thanks for your question - It is far too early to tell the final shape. Typically swelling can mask symmetry and the final result may not be apparent until 6 months later. Discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon. I hope this helps.

Wait!

Nipple/areolar changes after a mastopexy plus an augmentation are common. Even though the same thing was perfromed on each side, different responses are common. Just wait 6 weeks or so, and then things should quiet down to get a better assessment. Chances are, they will end up being close to each other.

Too soon to tell

AT 4 days post op, it is way too soon to make any determination about the size and swelling of your nipple. I would recommend waiting and discuss your concerns with your surgeon. My guess is that you will be fine....... be patient.

Too early to tell

Lindle, Only four days following your surgery it is way too early to judge your results. Differential nipple sensation between the two sides is not uncommon. Things are going to change over the next few months with decreasing swelling and normalization of your sensation. Continue your regular follow ups with your surgeon, who will answer your questions as you continue to heal. Good luck!

Too soon to worry

Hi there- Generally it takes at least a few weeks for swelling to subside and implants to settle into position. Until this happens, try not to worry too much about any differences in feeling/appearance you may note between one side and the other. After 3-4 weeks have gone by, discuss any remaining issues with your surgeon. For now, concentrate on following your postop instructions carefully and to the letter, and doing everything you can to assure uneventful healing.

Enlarged nipple is normal after breast lift and will go away.

I had few patients who had more swelling on one side immediately after breast surgery. This will go away in few days. Try to check with your plastic surgeon to rule out any hematoma on that side.

It is too soon to worry.

Normally there is more swelling on one side than another early in recovery. Bruising may be different. One side may look a little higher. It is simply too soon to worry. Sensitivity is also normal the first month. You'll probably see your surgeon this next week. I'm sure...

Is it the nipple or the areola that is swollen?

Hello, It is still very early to worry about differences between nipple/areola complexes. Swelling happens differently and it resolves differently in each side. Give it at least 6 weeks before you re-evaluate. Having a sensitive nipple is also completely normal and this tends to resolve over a couple of months. Keep your doctor advised of any concerns, but righ now, let some time and healing take place. In the vast majority of cases, time will take care of it.

4 days after Breast Lift is early

Obviously, no surgeon other than the one that operated on you can tell you exactly what was done during surgery. Thus, I am unable to tell you that your nipples will look the same. That being said, often one breast will swell much more than the other and make one nipple appear more swollen and more sensitive. At four days you are extremely early and in the swelling period. If it gets worse, call your surgeon.

Too soon to tell

This is very early in your recovery and also some asymmetry is expected including in the healing process. I would recommend waiting about 3 to 6mo before making a final decision on any potential revision. Remember that some asymmetry is normal in most if not all women. So any revision is based on how different the two sides appear. You may want to compare your before pictures to your after pictures about 6wks postop and see if the same asymmetry was pre-existing. Discuss your concerns with... more