Where's my Nipple Going? (photo)

After 2 severe cases of capsular contracture, both came on less than 6 weeks post surgery, on Dec. 26, 2012 I had both implants removed and full capsulectomy. The last implants were placed submuscularly. The surgery took 3 hours, it was very bad. Now 6 weeks post-explant and my breasts seem to be getting sucked into themselves! When I flex my chest muscles, they look like they cave in even worse. What's happening and is there anything I can do to get my old little breasts back?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by tinaesp in Santa Monica, CA

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Scars at six weeks.

At six weeks your scar production is peaking. This is a normal part of healing. Massage can encourage scar remodeling, and help free your nipples. The current problem is that the scar is gluing your skin to the muscle. If you where already a year out, then further surgery would be needed to correct this problem. The good news is that is takes a full year for a scar to fully mature. During that time the scar tissue will thin and become softer. The bad news is that it may not fully... more

Joseph Mele, MD

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Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

www.DrMele.com

Changes after implant removal

I am sorry about your experiences with breast implants. After removal of the implants and capsulectomy, you have stretched out skin/tissues that need time to retract. It appeared that your skin was fully stretched out with prior breast implants. It will take time and your skin may not retract completely to look like your pre-surgery shape. I would recommend that you wait at least 6 months, preferably one year before rebuilding your breasts. Best Wishes,

Breast Contour Problems after Breast Explantation

Wait at least 3 to 6 months after breast implant removal for full contraction to occur. You can consider fat grafting to improve the contours in the future. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Breast implant removal and capsulectomy

This can happen after the type of surgery you had. It sounds like it was a tough case and the capsule was difficult to remove. What is happening is because of the scarring that is taking place inside your breast. The bad news is that it may be worse but the good news is that it may then start getting better. I would give this at least a year to settle and you should stay in close contact with your surgeon. If it is still a problem after Mother Nature has done... more

Breast Implant Removal

Thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that you have had difficulty with your breast augmentation surgery. Your pictures are very helpful and demonstrate what can happen when large implants are removed. The implants have created a space in the breast and they have stretched out the breast tissue. With the implants out, that space has to close down and it is pulling the nipples and areolas in towards the chest wall. Over time, scar tissue will soften and... more

Scar tissue from muscle to areola area

Hello, Thank you for the question and photo. The appearance of your areolas after implant and capsule removal is not uncommon. With time they may improve and if not to the degree that is satisfactory to you fat grafting may be of particular help. This would also allow you to increase the volume of your breasts. All the best, Dr Remus Repta

Nipple/Areola Cave-in after Breast Implant Removal?

I'm sorry to hear about the complications you experienced with breast augmentation surgery. At this point, besides ongoing patience, time and massage, there is not much that you can do. It will take several additional months for the skin to fully contract back; hopefully during this time the scar tissue will also become less adherent and the nipple/areola appearance will improve. Occasionally, external suction devices ( for example a “nipplette" device) may be helpful... more

Changes after implant removal

I am sorry to hear about your problem with breast implants. After removal of the implants and a capsulectomy, the skin/tissues is stretched out and the internal scar is retracting. It appears that your skin was very stretched out with the breast implants. It will take time and your skin will improve, but it may never go back to how it was before your surgery. I would recommend that you wait at least 6 months, preferably one year before rebuilding your breasts. Most likely a smaller... more

Where's my Nipple Going?

Sorry to read about what you are going through. It is quite likely that as the scars mature the appearance will improve. The one thought that may not have been suggested by your own surgeon is the use of the BRAVA system, which applies suction to the breasts. The device is somewhat cumbersome, and is usually used for modest breast enlargement, and more often these days in preparation for fat grafting to the breasts, which may also be of benefit to you. Discuss these with your... more

Removal of Breast Implants

There are some cases that require permanent removal of breast implants after unsuccessful attempts at breast augmentation revision. The explantation surgery needs to be individualized in every case. Specifically, the extent and the location of capsulectomy is not the same in every case. Removing too much capsule can create breast deformity after removal of the implant. The appearance of the breast can be significantly improved with fat grafting. There are different methods of doing fat... more