Scar around nipple? (Photo)

Question

I had a breast aug last year in June. I've always had issues with my left nipple not healing nicely. Even had to redo it a few months back because of the the scar widening so much and the nipple appearing larger. The right breast healed so nicely. Not even a noticeable scar but the left is just a mess until this day. What is this and what should I do?! It's painful and just getting worse and worse over time. I'm extremely worried and feeling helpless doctor is being of no help

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

Looks like you had a periareolar incision of some type and that the upper portion of the incision is a bit wider than the rest.  This happens when there is tension from your breast pulling on the scar. You can help this by wearing a good support bra right after surgery but it also has to do with the way your body makes scars and this you have no control over. Your best bet is a revision in surgery but understand that this may be THE WAY YOU MAKE SCARS and unfortunately, your surgeon has no control over this. Good luck.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

The scar around the nipple with periareolar lift can become a problem with over healing we call hypertrophic scar, often because of the tension in the closure. If scar creams are of no help, silicone sheeting is availble on line and is quite effective for some.

Ciro Adamo, PhD, MD · Answer

When the wounds are closed immediately after the placement of an implant they are under a great deal of tension, which sometimes creates scars that are not ideal.Your problem is not uncommon, and the scar could probably be improved with a small revision under local anaesthetic once the skin of your breasts is adapted to the new volume and the tension back to normal.With any scar revision there is the risk of getting no improvement, or even worsening of the previous scar. This is because the way we scar is genetically determined, and there is only little that a surgeon can do to change the way you naturally heal.

Howard N. Robinson, MD (retired) · Answer

Try a topical antiscar treatment and if that doesn't work revision is possible...Good Luck in your cosmetic journey.

William A. Terranova, MD (retired) · Answer

It appears that you have a circumareolar (all the way around) incision.  That tells me that you had a lift in addition to an augmentation.  Now you have a noticeable (hypertrophic) scar and a widened areolar (I'm assuming that is what you mean by "nipple appearing larger").  One revision (I'm assuming simple excision of the scar and closure) has failed.  I think the next step would be excision of the entire scar (and the outer margin of the areolar to reduce the circumference) and closure with a particular type of suture called a "purse string".  Ask your plastic surgeon about this, as what I see in the photo and what I am assuming may not be correct. Good luck.

Scar around nipple? (Photo)

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Answer: Scar around nipple?

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Scar around nipple? (Photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar

Answer: Scar around nipple?

Answer: Scar around nipple?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

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