Will I lose my nipple? 1 month post-op breast reduction. Please help! (Photo)

Question

I am 1 month post op breast reduction and over the few weeks of healing, it is evident I have skin/fat necrosis on one nipple. I am seeing my PS weekly for debridement. He doesn't want to over do it. He's remaining positive but says it doesn't look as good as he’d hope and that our plan is to let it heal naturally. Using chlorosig & cleaning 2x day. What approach would you take if I was your patient to speed things up & best results? Skin graft, VAC, santyl ointment...?

Susan Buenaventura, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a significant wound.  Are you a smoker?  If so, stop as it will interfere with wound healing.  It is good you are being seen every week but letting a wound this size heal on its own may not be the best option for you.  You may need additional surgery, and more aggressive wound care.  Santyl (collagenase gel) is helpful but I would take the wound care advice directly from your surgical team.

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

Sorry to hear you have experienced significant wound healing issues.  Its difficult to comment without knowing details of your surgery and pre operative medical history.  Its very important to follow your surgeons post operative guidelines, avoid smoking and maintain a healthy diet.  Keep following your surgeons protocols.

Will I lose my nipple? 1 month post-op breast reduction. Please help! (Photo)

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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

Will I lose my nipple? 1 month post-op breast reduction. Please help! (Photo)

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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