Should I keep my nipple covered or let it air out? (Photos)

Thanks for your inquiry. I am so sorry this is happening to you. I would recommend contacting your surgeon immediately. These areas on your breast need to be assessed by your surgeon sooner rather than later. Good luck.

Hello,If you can't find an ABPS certified/ASAPS member surgeon near you to pay to be seen, then I think you should schedule an urgent trip to your surgeon: The wound near the base of your breast is very close to your implant, and could ultimately lead to implant exposure. Best of luck.

Dear earlbuckey,this type of wound is not uncommon after breast lift. It is usually caused by poor blood flow. I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon, follow your surgeon's instructions and keep your wound clean and covered. It can take few weeks or months for wound to fully heal. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

You lost some tissue and need to keep them clean and covered so that you do not pick up more infection and slow the healing process down. Please find a physician to check you and watch your progress. You do not want this to infect your implants and have to have them removed.

Generally speaking, we like to keep wounds moist with antibiotic ointment until they heal. Placing a dressing over the wound is more to keep the ointment from getting on your clothes. Even though your surgeon is out of town, there are different modalities you can use to be in contact. Try sending photos and/or Skype with the office. They are the ones who should be directing you, or referring you to a colleague in your area for treatment.

is depicted in your second photo and your surgeon should be aggressively directing you on what to do for this.  Tissue must be cleaned up/debrided and excellent wound care instituted to avoid further tissue loss.  You should be in contact with your surgeon (or his/her designee in your community) with text photos for instructions.  In my practice, I never let wounds dry out as healing is quicker when kept moist.

Hi and welcome to our forum!I am sorry to hear of your postoperative complication. The operative procedure of mastopexy (breast lift) involves separation of the skin and soft tissues of the breast from underlying breast tissue. The skin and soft tissue is then advanced downward and the excess skin and soft tissue is removed in an inverted "T" fashion.  If there is impairment of the blood supply to the breast skin and soft tissue, the segment of the flap the greatest distance from its blood supply may not survive (at the junction of the inverted "T" flaps). The cause of the blood supply impairment can range from effects of smoking, diabetes mellitus, vascular disease, previous surgery in the area (disrupting the normal blood supply), infection, or may totally inapparent.  The loss of tissue at the nipple areolar complex results from a similar phenomenon.Treatment consists of removal of the unhealthy tissue, followed by intensive wound care. One looks for the development of granulation tissue, a beefy red vascular tissue, to develop, after which time the wound will begin to shrink. Most wounds of this size will seal over a span of several months. However, a regimen of frequent wound care is required after unhealthy tissue is removed to prevent the development of infection. I personally do not like to see a dried out desiccated crusted wound under which an infection may be lurking.Contact your plastic surgeon if he / she is unaware of the problem and follow the instructions given. Send photos demonstrating the problem. You most likely will need to be evaluated and treated by a local physician. Best wishes...