I was a stage three ptosis two weeks ago wearing a 34 D bra. My PS performed a mastopexy with breast aug (silicone gel implants under the muscle). I am 12 days post op and the same size, but fuller and lifted. Primarily, I wanted my nipples pointing upward (more important than size). They point either straight or down, without much fullness up top. Is it likely that my nipple will rotate upwards? If so, what is the typical time frame for this to happen. I want to have realistic expectations.
February 15, 2014
Answer: Yes, nipple/areola complexes will appear to rotate upward as implants drop, soften, and settle. Gravity can be counted upon to work 100% of the time for 100% of patients. Since scar tissue thickens and tightens in only about 3% of patients, it is a really good bet that your scars will soften and stretch as they mature, allowing your implants to drop and give your breasts more fullness inferiorly, somewhat less fullness superiorly ("up top"), and change apparent nipple/areola orientation to more upwards-pointing appearance. The time frame is what is individual for each patient, based on amount of muscle tone, swelling, scar formation, and innate elasticity (or lack thereof). Thus, this is impossible to accurately predict--it will take weeks to months, but it does so gradually, so each day there is minute progress.I often tell patients that trying to watch this process is as fruitful as watching your grass grow. You can carefully observe, but see no visible progress, then go on vacation for a week, and return to grass that visibly needs mowing. Healing is SLOWER than that, so there is no conceivable way to see this progress by looking in a mirror, or taking daily photographs. Maybe weekly, but even that seems unlikely. Monthly--now you can see the changes, and even then they are not much, and as dependent on photographic parameters as anything else!Your surgeon has done a splendid job and you should be quite thrilled with your work. It will only get better as time goes by. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
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February 15, 2014
Answer: Yes, nipple/areola complexes will appear to rotate upward as implants drop, soften, and settle. Gravity can be counted upon to work 100% of the time for 100% of patients. Since scar tissue thickens and tightens in only about 3% of patients, it is a really good bet that your scars will soften and stretch as they mature, allowing your implants to drop and give your breasts more fullness inferiorly, somewhat less fullness superiorly ("up top"), and change apparent nipple/areola orientation to more upwards-pointing appearance. The time frame is what is individual for each patient, based on amount of muscle tone, swelling, scar formation, and innate elasticity (or lack thereof). Thus, this is impossible to accurately predict--it will take weeks to months, but it does so gradually, so each day there is minute progress.I often tell patients that trying to watch this process is as fruitful as watching your grass grow. You can carefully observe, but see no visible progress, then go on vacation for a week, and return to grass that visibly needs mowing. Healing is SLOWER than that, so there is no conceivable way to see this progress by looking in a mirror, or taking daily photographs. Maybe weekly, but even that seems unlikely. Monthly--now you can see the changes, and even then they are not much, and as dependent on photographic parameters as anything else!Your surgeon has done a splendid job and you should be quite thrilled with your work. It will only get better as time goes by. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen
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February 15, 2014
Answer: As swelling subsides shape will change Thank you for your question. It looks like you have a very good result. Swelling you have in the upper pole of the breast is normal at this point. Often times when this starts to diminish the overall shape will significantly improve. Just be patient.
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February 15, 2014
Answer: As swelling subsides shape will change Thank you for your question. It looks like you have a very good result. Swelling you have in the upper pole of the breast is normal at this point. Often times when this starts to diminish the overall shape will significantly improve. Just be patient.
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