Will my chest still flatten over time? Will the wrinkling around the nipple go away? (Photo)

Question

I am 2.5 weeks post op top surgery periareolar procedure. My breast size was eligible for both double incision and periareolar, since I didn't want a big scar I went with peri. I feel like there are still lots of fats left on my chest since it still looks like small breasts, I don't know if this is because of the swelling or I would need a revision after a few months. Plus I've got lots of pleatings around my nipples. There is also an indentation on the side of my right chest. Please help.

Lisa Friederich, MBBS, FRACS · Answer

Hi, 
You are still very early in your recovery, so i would recommend you wait a few months for your wounds and swelling to settle.
Re the indentation on your right chest- this looks like the lower edge of your pectoralis muscle (but I am making an educated guess given I can't examine you). Breast tissue normally obscures this when present. This may indicate a thinner portion of your skin flap or an area of less swelling.
Re the wrinkling around the areola- yes this should generally settle with time, it may not completely resolve. The bigger the breast the more skin needs to be removed. In a periareolar technique, this can mean that those with larger breasts have more gathering as the margins of skin excision are larger and bunch up more when pulled in to the new smaller areolar.  In borderline patients who prefer less scarring,  I now recommend a two stage procedure. The second component can be done in the office usually and is excision of the gathered skin with a little more skin if needed. This reduces the difference in diameter between the areolar and outer excision so there is less gathering and a better looking scar.
The residual volume you see is certainly a lot of swelling, I have found that the lower breast pole is always slow to resolve. It may also indicate that you have more skin that needs excision.  There is usually some retraction of skin in the first 6m after surgery. It is always difficult to predict.
At this stage, wait and see how your scars and skin settle. You can speak with your surgeon about your concerns, but they will be unlikely to do anything this early.
Good luck

Babak Dadvand, MD · Answer

Hi,Thanks for the post and photos. At 2.5 weeks you are very early in the healing process and it is too difficult to judge what the final results will be. The shape of the chest will take 6 months and the scars will take a year so be patient.Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand

Sheldon Lincenberg, MD · Answer

It is too early to say if this is the final appearance however the periareolar technique frequently reults in widened, thick or rippled scars as well as a failure to remove adequate breast tissue and to release all ligaments that form the borders of the breast.
I would recommend that you discuss this question with your surgeon.

Josef Hadeed, MD, FACS · Answer

In general it would be too early at 2.5 weeks after surgery to make any determination regarding whether or not you would need a revision.

Will my chest still flatten over time? Will the wrinkling around the nipple go away? (Photo)

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Answer: Post op top surgery

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Will my chest still flatten over time? Will the wrinkling around the nipple go away? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Post op top surgery

Answer: Post op top surgery

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Everything you need to know about Masculinizing Top Surgery

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