Can Breast Augmentation Cause the Nipples to Flatten?

Question

I had 325 cc implants 3 weeks ago and my nipples, particularly on one side, are much flatter than they were pre-surgery. Is this permanent or will they relax and return to their original 'erectness'?

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	If you had a circumareolar  breast lift in combination with your breast augmentation  then some flattening of the nipple areola complex and breast profile is commonly  seen.  This flattening of the breast profile is a downside of the incision around the areola which serves to &ldquo;pursestring"  the tissues.

	Unfortunately, only time will tell if it will be an improvement in the situation.

	Best wishes.

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Gail,

	It appears that your surgeon used a periareolar incision to place the breast implants and give you a minor breast lift.  When you tighten around the nipple, it can flatten.  However, the tissues are tight and with time will relax.  This may cause them to unflatten a bit.  Give it time to see what happens.

	Good luck,

	Dr. Shah

Colin Hong, MD · Answer

Yes it can. In breast augmentation, nipples get flatten as a result of the type of incisions or probably due to the fact that they are stretched out with the placement of the breast implants but with time, the nipples will eventually turn out okay, it is only a matter of time and shouldn’t be a serious concern.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

Part of the reason that your nipples are flatter are because they are stretched out with the placement of the breast implants. The incisions around your areolae can also affect this. Finally, it appears that you might have had a peri-areolar lift which could further stretch the skin out.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Early on the breast implant will stress the skin envelope of the breast and the nipple will stretch and lack the erectness before implants. Your implants appear slightly high and hopefully will settle into to a point of projection at the level of the nipple. As the skin relaxes the nipple will again be softer the have the necessary give to become erect with cold or stimulation.

	Best of luck,

	peterejohnsonmd

Can Breast Augmentation Cause the Nipples to Flatten?

Answers (9)

Answer: Areolae stretched out following breast enlargement

Answer: Areolae stretched out following breast enlargement

Answer: Nipple erectness after breast augmentation

Answer: Nipple erectness after breast augmentation

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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Can Breast Augmentation Cause the Nipples to Flatten?

Answers (9)

Answer: Areolae stretched out following breast enlargement

Answer: Areolae stretched out following breast enlargement

Answer: Nipple erectness after breast augmentation

Answer: Nipple erectness after breast augmentation

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.