Bump on areola incision. Not sure what it is or where to go (Photo)

Question

I had a breast lift via aerola 9mts back with silicone implants. I've never had any issues but I got this bump on the aerola. It doesn't really hurt but it's big and gets inflamed looking at times. Not sure what it is or where to go as I got my surgery in another state and the doctor no longer is available at the place I got the surgery. Thanks in advance for your responses.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

The pictures you sent in to RealSelf would indicate you have either a stitch abscess (indicated by the inflammation you refer to) or a knot from a permanent suture in the perioareolar Benelli stitch.Since you have what appears to be a single scar all the way around your areola and you refer to the surgery as a lift, I'm going to make the reasonable assumption that you had a circumareolar mastopexy also known as the Benelli mastopexy.  If you were my patient, I would contact the administrator at the location where you had your surgery.  They are, by law or statute, required to keep copies of surgical procedures that were done at their facility.  Once, I had a copy of the procedure, I could determine what type of sutures your primary plastic surgeon used and the location of the knot in the permanent suture keeping your lift intact.  I personally always tie my permanent sutures at 12 o'clock.  Once armed with that information, I would be able to determine if this was a suture that could come out or needed to stay.  It is my regiment to remove these permanent sutures if they are a problem at 18 months and not before.  Early removal can lead to spreading of the areola or the circumareolar scar or both.  I recommend you find a Board Certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in Benelli mastopexies.  By significant, I mean a surgeon who has performed at least 30 of these procedures and at least a couple redos.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!You should check back with your surgeon on this one. It is possible that a permanent suture was used to tighten the skin around the areolar and reduce the areolar size. This bump may be the suture knot.Good luck!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

In all likelihood, this is a stitch trying to work its way out. Call your surgeon and see if he or she has reciprocal privileges with another doctor in your area who could remove the stitch. It will speed up your healing process. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your question and provided information as well... You have to be checked by your surgeon because you're may having a stitch under your areola, can be dissolvable or not, you need to be revised by your doctor to remove it..

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It is likely that you are feeling a stitch and this may be dissolvable or a permanent suture. I would see a PS for advice. It is likely that this will settle on its own but you need a face to face consultation with a PS and ideally a copy of your op note to know what stitches were used.

Bump on areola incision. Not sure what it is or where to go (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Stitch

Answer: Stitch

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Bump on areola incision. Not sure what it is or where to go (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Surgery

Answer: Stitch

Answer: Stitch

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Lift with Implants

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