How Long Should One Wait Before Having a Nipple Replacement?

After a breast reconstruction following surgically treated breast cancer, when would be the best time for a nipple replacement procedure?

Tags:

Comment on this

3 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

Doctor Answers (3)
Community Comments (0)

Nipple reconstruction is the last step of the long breast cancer journey

Nipple reconstruction is the final step of the long breast cancer journey. It should be done when the breasts are symmetric, swelling has completely resolved after the last surgery (usually 2-3 months), and, when implants have been used, there is no capsular contracture (the process of scarring around an implant). There are many different techniques that have been described for nipple reconstruction, but no one technique is superior to others. It can easily be done in the office with a... more

You will need to wait at least 3 months

The procedure for the nipple reconstruction will depend on the type of breast reconstruction. I would wait longer if you had radiation .

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Nipple areola reconstruction

Nipple areola reconstruction is the final stage of breast reconstruction after mastectomy and breast reconstruction. It is performed idealy when the symmetry is achieved and the breast is stable, all healing complete then the nipple areola is reconstructed