What are My Options After Nipple Loss?

If there is nipple loss then the wound needs to be debrided of dead tissue, that is,  all dead tissue must be removed. Once the dead tissue is removed then the wound will begin to heal itself. The wound will heal slower if the dead tissue is left in place. Once the wound is healed the scar  will be come softer with time. Your doctor may encourage you to massage the area to help soften the wound.

Once the scar is soft then reconstruction of the nipple can be performed. Depending on what tissue is left, the nipple can be reconstructed from local laps, that is the skin and fat around that area. The surgeon may elect to take from another part of the body such as the groin area to help rebuild the nipple.

If you are smoking I suggest you stop as this will impede blood supply and make future reconstruction more difficult as wound healing is affected. There are many women that have their nipple reconstructed for cancer and the reconstructed nipple looks very similar to their old nipple. I hope this information has helped you.

Nipple areolar reconstruction can be performed. Without seeing pictures, it is impossible to assess the scar formation. If the areola has also sloughed, the area can be tattooed to recreate the coloration and a more normal appearance. If you intend to pursue this procedure, I would not recommend Radiesse injection in the meantime.

The treatments actually depend on the specific type of loss you are referring to.  If you lost the pigment of the areola due to scarring then medical grade areolar tattooing is an option, similar to what is offered breast reconstruction patients who suffer from breast cancer.  If you lost the actual nipple, that projects in the middle, it is possible to reconstruct but it does require more surgery.  I hope this help you.

Kindest regards,

Neil J. Zemmel