Nipple Sloughed Off From Necrosis Following Mastopexy.....normal? (photo) [graphic]

Thanks for your question.  Nipple necrosis after a mastopexy is not common but unfortunately can happen.  Your second question if the nipple will be "normal" is more difficult one to answer.  In my opinion, your left nipple will always be different from the right and have more scar tissue.  You may need revision surgery depending on your aesthetic desires to create symmetry.  Good luck.

From your picture, it appears that your nipple has survived, but that part of it has been compromised.  Once this area heals, you may need a scar revision to improve the appearance.  Continue close follow-up with your surgeon.

Keep the areola clean, and let it heal.  Looks like you had augmentation in addition to breast lift, which can compromise circulation to the areola.  Don't worry, the areola heals well and can later be revised if necessary, either surgically, with tattoo, or both.  As long as the nipple doesn't turn black and fall off, you will likely have a satisfactory outcome.

Thank you for your photos.  You seem to be recovering well after a partial necrosis of your nipple.  The key is to continue close follow-up with your surgeon. It is difficult to predict appearance of the nipple areolar complex following such an event.  Most likely you will require minor scar revision surgery, best of luck.

For some reason, there was vascular compromise of the left nipple-areola complex resulting in an inadequate inflow of blood. The result was loss of tissue and scarring. This is permanent and you won't have any nipple short of reconstruction. 

By the way, your procedure was a periareolar mastopexy, not a mini mastopexy.

Sorry for your issues. But the photos indicate an early healing occurring. Best to allow full healing over the next 3 months than determine if further surgery is needed. 

Thank you for the question and pictures.

Unfortunately, what you are experiencing does occur on occasion after any type of surgery that involves moving the nipple/areola complex. As you probably know,  this is related to compromise of arterial inflow and/or venous outflow to the areola.

Obviously, no one can predict exactly what will happen in the future but based on your picture it seems that the tissue loss is “partial thickness” ( the pink area of the areola  suggests that full thickness necrosis has not occurred).  Time will tell what the final appearance of the areola will be and whether you will benefit from scar revision surgery.

I would suggest that you continue close follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

Best wishes.