I’m about 2.5 months post surgery and my nipple has become oval, is this normal? (photos)

Question

My nipples started getting an oval shape one is also bumpy and my actual nipple doesn’t show yet is there anyways to get my nipples to go back to normal shape and for the nipple to pop out

Anthony Deboni, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  It is not uncommon to have some stretch and ovalization of the nipples after double incision mastectomy. I am assuming that you had nipple grafts.  This is mainly due to stretch on the skin.  I sometimes will make the nipples more oval horizontally at the initial surgery to account for vertical stretch.  This can be improved with a small removal of areolar tissue to round the nipple out once you are completely healed.   As far as projection of the nipple, many times there is less projection with a nipple graft as the skin needs to be thinned enough to allow for good blood ingrowth during healing.  This can be improved with fat grafting, or a filler such as Radiesse or Voluma.  Discuss with your surgeon.  Best Regards

Babak Dadvand, MD · Answer

Thanks for the post and photos. The areolas became more oval because of the vertical vector placed on the overall skin during a double incision surgery. This can lead to the areolas being pulled in one direction during the healing phase leading to a more elliptical shape. The two options are scar revision by removing part of the areola to improve the shape. This can be done in the office under local anesthesia. The other option is medical tattooing to add pigmentation to achieve a more circular shape. As for nipple projection, a graft, be it fat or dermis, can be used but the results may not be complete correction. Another option is 3D nipple tattooing to give the look that there are nipple even though it is a flat surface. Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand

Tracy Kayan, MD · Answer

It appears that some over-abundant scarring from the nipple graft healing has pulled the nipple into this oval shape. I would bring this up with your surgeon. Scar massage may loosen the tissue and change the shape some, but this may require surgical revision, further grafting or even tattooing to even out the shape to a more ideal oval or circle.

I’m about 2.5 months post surgery and my nipple has become oval, is this normal? (photos)

Answers (3)

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I’m about 2.5 months post surgery and my nipple has become oval, is this normal? (photos)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Masculinizing Top Surgery

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