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Nipple Sloughed Off From Necrosis Following Mastopexy.....normal? (photo)

asked 5 months ago by brittanybrox
Latest answer by Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Question viewed 478 times
Tags: nipples, 1 month post-op, causes, necrosis, options

I had mini mastopexy on Dec. 14th. I can clearly see the left nipple has necrosed and sloughed off but my doctor keeps reassuring that this is normal and everything will heal perfectly. I am 25, non-smoker, and healthy. Why did this happen? My left breast is still painful compared to the right one. Surgeon said he had to dissect the left side more which is why it was more “beat up”. Will my nipple eventually heal and look normal or do I have more surgeries in my future?

7 answers to Nipple Sloughed Off From Necrosis Following Mastopexy.....normal? (photo)

Nipple necrosis

Thanks for your question. Nipple necrosis after a mastopexy is not common but unfortunately can happen. Your second question if the nipple will be "normal" is more difficult one to answer. In my opinion, your left nipple will always be different from the right and have more scar tissue. You may need revision surgery depending on your aesthetic desires to create symmetry. Good luck.

Vishnu Rumalla, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

tarrantplasticsurgery.com

Nipple Problem after Mastopexy

From your picture, it appears that your nipple has survived, but that part of it has been compromised. Once this area heals, you may need a scar revision to improve the appearance. Continue close follow-up with your surgeon.

Donald Griffin, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Nipple necrosis after breast surgery

This is a rare but recognised complication of breast surgery. Fortunately (as happens most of the times) this is only a partial necrosis - most of the time they will settle reasonably enough without surgery. I would expect some loss of nipple height, but hopefully not bad enough to need further surgery.

Anindya Lahiri, MBBS
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Breast lifting and Areola Necrosis?

Thank you for the question and pictures. Unfortunately, what you are experiencing does occur on occasion after any type of surgery that involves moving the nipple/areola complex. As you probably know, this is related to compromise of arterial inflow and/or venous outflow to the areola. Obviously, no one can predict exactly what will happen in the future but based on your picture it seems that the tissue loss is “partial thickness” ( the pink area of the areola... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Loss of the left nipple areola complex following a mastopexy

For some reason, there was vascular compromise of the left nipple-areola complex resulting in an inadequate inflow of blood. The result was loss of tissue and scarring. This is permanent and you won't have any nipple short of reconstruction. By the way, your procedure was a periareolar mastopexy, not a mini mastopexy.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon