I had a breast reduction/lift/FNG on March 16. When my surgeon removed the FNG dressing my nipples were black. Today, 3 + weeks later, they are still black. Also, my incisions under the breast are nowhere near the same. I understand that I'm only 3 weeks post-op, but I need some reassurance.
April 12, 2018
Answer: Why are my nipples dark after free nipple grafts done during #breastreduction? Free nipple grafts can take at varying rates from side to side, and portions of the areola may take better than the central nipple itself. Part of the reason for this may be that the nipple tissue is bulkier and skin grafts (which is what a free nipple graft is) often have to be thin to optimize the take. We don't normally thin/debulk the actual nipple so it is not unheard of that the areola takes well but the central nipple has partial tissue loss. This will usually recover to heal with a reasonable appearing central area that is a different color from the rest of the areola, but projection of the nipple might be altered by the grafting process itself. As for your incisions, sometimes the pattern is slightly different based on the size/shape and hang of the breasts (people are not symmetric naturally), but I don't really see the severe asymmetry of incisions that you are describing. If you are frustrated with the answers you get from your surgeon, consider asking for a second opinion.
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April 12, 2018
Answer: Why are my nipples dark after free nipple grafts done during #breastreduction? Free nipple grafts can take at varying rates from side to side, and portions of the areola may take better than the central nipple itself. Part of the reason for this may be that the nipple tissue is bulkier and skin grafts (which is what a free nipple graft is) often have to be thin to optimize the take. We don't normally thin/debulk the actual nipple so it is not unheard of that the areola takes well but the central nipple has partial tissue loss. This will usually recover to heal with a reasonable appearing central area that is a different color from the rest of the areola, but projection of the nipple might be altered by the grafting process itself. As for your incisions, sometimes the pattern is slightly different based on the size/shape and hang of the breasts (people are not symmetric naturally), but I don't really see the severe asymmetry of incisions that you are describing. If you are frustrated with the answers you get from your surgeon, consider asking for a second opinion.
Helpful
April 11, 2018
Answer: Black nipples after breast reduction You mentioned that you had a FNG dressing removed after surgery. I presume you mean that you had a free nipple graft, and the bolster dressing was used in the postoperative period. When a patient has a free nipple graft, the nipple and areola have to re-establish blood supply from the tissues where the graft is placed. Occasionally, there will be partial loss of the skin graft as the new circulation is established, and this will typically manifest as a purplish or blackened area of skin.
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April 11, 2018
Answer: Black nipples after breast reduction You mentioned that you had a FNG dressing removed after surgery. I presume you mean that you had a free nipple graft, and the bolster dressing was used in the postoperative period. When a patient has a free nipple graft, the nipple and areola have to re-establish blood supply from the tissues where the graft is placed. Occasionally, there will be partial loss of the skin graft as the new circulation is established, and this will typically manifest as a purplish or blackened area of skin.
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