1 month post op 450cc implants, is the puckering around my areola normal? How long does it take till it does away? (photo)

This puckering is a typical consequence of a circumareolar lift.  What you are seeing is what occurs following the use of a pursestring suture.  This is exactly what happens when the strings of a coin purse are cinched.  The use of silicone tape is excellent.  This puckering differs from person to person, but should resolve in a few months.  Good luck!

With a periareolar breast lift you can expect puckering around the areola for about three to six months. I recommend patients use either silicone gel or silicone tape to expedite this process. The skin will smooth out over time, you just need to be patient. 

If you have any concerns you should contact your plastic surgeon for a further examination.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno

Puckering is extremely common with the circumareolar technique and the resolution of these depend on the amount of the lift, the size of the implants, the skin quality, the suture materials and other certain techniical aspects. Generally this improves by 6-9 months.

Puckering in the circumareolar is common after breast augment with mastopexy. It will take several months for the scarring to begin to settle down.

Puckering after a "donut lift" or periareolar mastopexy is very common. In order to close the breast skin around the smaller areola, puckering or bunching of the skin results. This can take several months before it resolves. Gentle massage and time is usually all that is necessary.

Whenever we try to cheat mother nature, we have to expect some delays and timing issues.  The skin around the areola will usually smooth out over a few months, as long as the surgeon did not try to cheat by too much!  I would expect most of the wrinkles and pleating to be gone within 6 months.

A circumareola reduction or donut lift is a great way to raise the areola up in an augmentation. There almost always is a bit of puckering that usually subsides after a few months.

Regarding: "Puckering from Lift?
I'm one month post from my breast implants 450cc smooth silicone gel, and donut lift. I got my half of my stitches out and i got the rest of the stitches out nov 8. I had steri strips on for a week after my stitches were taken out. I have been putting bio oil on after showers and exfoliating every other day in the shower. After that i keep my silicone sheets on for 24hrs a day. There is puckering around my areola and i'm just wondering if this looks normal and when this usually takes to go away?"

Consider for a minute how the areola (the INNER donut) is made to fit the OUTER margin (left by removing the extra skin around the perimeter of the areola). Fitting a large radius circle to that of a smaller circle means that wider stitch bites need to be taken on the edge of the outer circle than on the inner (areola) circle and when the stitch is tightened there is crumpling / puckering of the outer circle.

Depending on the size of the donut circle removed (IE the extent of mismatch), a lot of the crumpling flattens several months after surgery, but the scar will never be a narrow thin line and in some cases may need to be revised.

Dr. Peter Aldea

Anytime a circumareolar skin reduction is done (removing skin around the areola), there is likely to be some puckering or gathering of skin.  This usually settles out over a few months' time.

Hello. Thank you for your inquiry and congratulations on your surgery! It is important to have an in-person medical assessment regarding this issue as it is difficult to determine virtually. Continue to update your doctor in the matter and follow their post-op protocol.

Please ensure to get cleared by your doctor before engaging in specific physical activity before the 3 month healing period has ended as the healing stage is crucial for healthy results.

It generally takes around 6 months to a year to see your final results. Your tissues will take time to relax and allow your implants to "Drop and Fluff" settling into place. Should a revision cross your mind, it is best to wait at least 6 months to a year before doing so.

Our tips for recovery following breast augmentation are to wear a supportive sports bra for 3 months post-operative and refrain from lifting anything heavier than 10 lbs for 3 weeks as we don't want any strain at your incision sites. Make sure to keep the area of your stitches clean by cleansing with hydrogen peroxide daily. Showering is encouraged! But, no sitting in water for 2 weeks following surgery (no baths, hot tubs, pools etc.).

Please note that this response does not substitute patient-doctor relationship. We welcome any and all patients seeking advice to come in for a complimentary consultation available for limited time only.

During the COVID-19, we are offering complimentary online consultations as well as in-office consultation with social distancing and masks. Procedure done in-hospital private surgical facility while taking covid-19 precautions. We utilize UV-light to clean the air of viruses and bacteria during our consultations and surgery. We invite you to come in to discuss your options more thoroughly. Please send us an email at info@drkaraplasticsurgery.com with the subject line: "Attention Meagan" and we will be happy to coordinate your appointment!
M.Kara,MD,FRCSC (27+ years experience) - Specializing in 24 hour recovery/ out to dinner breast augmentation in-hospital private surgical facility for your added safety and peace of mind