How likely is puckering around areola to go away?

Question

Hello, I have just confirmed my breast augmentation with a circumareolar lift. I am nervous about the puckering that happens to the skin after the nipple is relocated. I'm wondering what determines if this effect will go away, how long does it typically take to go away? Will my breast still appear natural in that area? Does having this lift change the ability to breastfeed? Oh yeah, I will be almost 24 (by surgery date), 5'9" weighing 170 lbs, if this helps. Thank you so much for your feedback!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

You need to share your concerns with your surgeon and make sure that you are fully aware of the pros and cons of the circumareolar lift. Puckering can occur. It can take anywhere from 3-6 months to heal. Hope this helps -- Dr. Nazarian

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your question and provided information as well... This can happen with circumareola lifts most of the time, and they can be more prominent or showed more when a consider amount of skin is removed. Hugs!

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, cutie2014.The puckering (or pleating) around the areola will vary amount patients, depending on the extent of lift, sutures used, and surgical techniques.  It may take 3-6 months for them to go away.Please talk with your plastic surgeon and learn about circumareolar lift - limitations, risks, and benefits.It is difficult to predict whether you will be able to breastfeed after the surgery. However, most patients are able to breastfeed after augmentation and lift.Best regards.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

This happens with circumareola lifts and will be more prominent when more skin is removed. I try to limit this techniques for small moves.

Robert H. Hunsaker, MD · Answer

The Pleating depends on the difference in diameter of the new areola and the surround breast skin defect. The larger the difference, the more the pleating. Thicker skin retains the pleating longer and in bigger lifts with thicker skin, may persist somewhat in the long term. I tell patients it is typically weeks to months, not days to weeks. I hope this helps.

How likely is puckering around areola to go away?

Answers (5)