Nipples Bigger After Breast Augmentation?

Question

I had a breast augmentation 4 wks ago, I had 330cc under the muscle. Things are still settling as they remain a little high & swollen but I understand this will take time. However my nipples seem much bigger since my op. They are even bigger then when I was pregnant & breast feeding. I am experiencing a lot of tingling & burning in my nipples is this something to do with it? Do you think they wi go down? Thank you

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Nipple Areola Size Increases after Breast Augmentation.  The sensation changes usually do get better over time and frequently resolve.

Kevin Brenner, MD, FACS · Answer

What you are experiencing is a normal response to breast augmentation surgery. Simply, the larger volume that the implant imparts will put on stretch the nipple-areola complex. They are not in fact any bigger, they just appear larger than when there were not on stretch before surgery.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

The nipple areola complex can appeared enlarged due to the increased breast size.  This may decrease slightly as the swelling subsides.  

	 

	Dr. ES

Naveen Setty, MD · Answer

What you are describing is a common change that occurs after a breast augmentation. All of your skin on the breast gets stretched out after an augmentation, and that includes the nipple and areola. There is also usually increased sensitivity that will decrease over time. The length of time can vary from patient to patient. Use nipple protectors as needed until the sensitivity resolves.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

In most cases, after breast augmentation the areolas will expand and look larger than previous to surgery. In addition, some patients with tighter than average breast skin can have a temporary expansion of the nipples. It turns out the implants push everything forward - even the nipples. In most patients, with time and breast skin stretch, things look more balanced when the nipples return to normal projection. Best wishes - Dr. Aldo.

Jason E. Leedy, MD · Answer

Immediately after breast augmentation surgery there is always swelling of the breasts. At one month things are still puffy. It usually takes up to 3 months for all of the swelling to go away. While the breasts are swollen the nipples and areolas often get irritated from normal bras and clothing. Don't worry this will go away. If the nipples are uncomfortable then sometimes a nursing nipple protector is helpful. The areolas will also enlarge as a result of breast augmentation. This is normal. The breasts are bigger as a result of an augmentation and the areolas are part of the breasts. If enlargement of the areolas is not desirable then a periareolar breast lift can be done. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Garrett A. Wirth, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Nipples can get swollen for a period of time after surgery, and often the areola will enlarge a bit after breast augmentation.  The tingling sensation should resolve over time.  Congratulations on your breast augmentation.

Norman Bakshandeh Day, MD, FACS · Answer

There is significant swelling after surgery in all patients. This should improve over the next 4 months

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually the areola expands a bit but the nipple staay about the same size.  With swelling early post-op all things swell, so give it some time.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question.

	It is difficult to tell what is going on without a photo.  However, nipples in general will revert back to their largest dimension prior to breast augmentation.  This is because they were stretched prior to the surgery with breast enlargement whether pregnancy or weight gain.  If there was never any change in nipple size prior to surgery, then the areola will stretch to the same degree as the rest of the skin (proportional) unless there is a weakness in the nipple, in which case it may stretch disproportionally.

	Pablo Prichard, MD

Nipples Bigger After Breast Augmentation?

Answers (13)