Is puckering around my nipple normal after a breast reduction? (photos)

Question

I got my reduction on 12/06, so about a week and a half ago. Firstly, my doctor said to leave the tape on until it falls off, which it's starting to do. Is it too early? I have a history of bad scarring, so should I re-tape it? Secondly, and slightly more worrisome, around my right nipple, where the tape is coming off the most, the skin is extremely puckered, almost pleated. Is that OK and normal?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Hi,Thank you for your question. I recommend you check with your surgeon before re-applying tape on the raw area as taping over an open area may cause an infection. The pleating should flatten and resolve after a few months. Please be patient and wear your bra for support to ensure that areolas heal in a round shape. If a bra is not worn for a few months during healing time, the areolas may heal in an oblong shape. I hope this helps.Best wishes to you,

Andres Taleisnik, MD · Answer

There are certain types of breast reduction, like yours, that involve gathering the skin during closure, much like the waistband of gym shorts or a man's bathing suit gather when the string is pulled and tied. The amount of wrinkles or pleats you're showing is not excessive, and will smooth out very well over the next few months. I recommend checking with your surgeon about wound care and scar management, as we all have somewhat different approaches.

Nicholas Jones, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. After a breast reduction, some puckering around the nipple is possible. It depends on your plastic surgeon's technique. Sometimes there is a mismatch between the circumference of the nipple aerolar complex and the skin that must be closed around it (purse-string closure). In order to make up the difference, puckering of the skin can occur.. Over time, as the wound heals the puckering usually resolves. Be sure to follow-up with your plastic surgeon on a regular bases. Taping the skin may help with the healing process. I usually recommend tape until the wounds have healed and then offer my patients scar therapy with silicone based products.

Good Day,

Good Day,

Mehdi K. Mazaheri, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photos. Yes this type of puckering is very normal and it will resolve over the next few months. Always feel comfortable to discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Good luck. DrMaz

Tassos Dionisopoulos, MD · Answer

important concern but the short answer is things look normal. Whether your surgeon uses tape strips or not is not relevant. The pleating you are seeing is the result of the pull by the sutures ( threads) which are dissolvable. This ALWAYS flattens because it's there because the suture is causing it. Once it "dissolves " the pleats will flatten. Do t be concerned because it's normal. In fact there are breast reduction techniques where the pleating is way more extreme!

Scarring is more the result of factors NOT treatable to taping. Listen to your surgeon but don't obsess about the tapes: if they are loose , lose them

Scarring is more the result of factors NOT treatable to taping.  Listen to your surgeon but don't obsess about the tapes: if they are loose , lose them

Robert Stroup, Jr., MD, FACS · Answer

First, the timing for your steri-strips coming off seems about right.  You do not need to replace it.  Check with your Plastic Surgeon first, but I would recommend that you simply apply a little antibiotic ointment only to any raw areas and leave the rest alone.Second, the puckering or pleating that you are seeing happens every time if the breast reduction technique involved gathering up the loose skin.  From your photos it appears that this was the case for you.  The pleating will flatten out over time, usually about 3 months or so.  Hope this helps.  Best of luck.

Ronald V. DeMars, MD (Retired) · Answer

This is not a look we see after a standard breast reduction, but is commonly seen after a Benelli style areola reduction. The irregularities usually smooth out nicely in a few months. As far as post op care goes, those are questions you need to ask your surgeon. It is important you follow only his advice, not advice from internet consultants that have never seen or examined you.

Sherwood Baxt, MD (retired) · Answer

It's very early to be real concerned about the "puckering". It should relax with time. Tape.  Check with your surgeon. I myself urge patients to use paper tape for many months post surgery. It helps keep the scars flat as well as any product on the market and costs very little.

Is puckering around my nipple normal after a breast reduction? (photos)

Answers (8)

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