I am 7 days post op from having a mastopexy with augmentation. I noticed the tip of my nipples are beginning to scab and they both have no feeling. I asked my surgeon if it looks like an early stage of necrosis and he did not believe so. My nipples were quite long before surgery and my surgeon believes this is why I am experience scabs on the tip of my nipples. However, I would like a second opinion and have this treated sooner rather than later.
March 28, 2016
Answer: Necrosis? It appears that you have had some decrease of blood supply to your nipples/areolas. It appears that you will likely at least blister, then heal or maybe even lose a bit of tissue which would also heal. There is not really any intervention/treatment at this point that would change its course. Be patient, follow your surgeon's instructions and with time all should be well.
Helpful 5 people found this helpful
March 28, 2016
Answer: Necrosis? It appears that you have had some decrease of blood supply to your nipples/areolas. It appears that you will likely at least blister, then heal or maybe even lose a bit of tissue which would also heal. There is not really any intervention/treatment at this point that would change its course. Be patient, follow your surgeon's instructions and with time all should be well.
Helpful 5 people found this helpful
October 11, 2021
Answer: Nipple necrosis after a breast lift Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this is a potential complication with breast lifts and implants. The nipple areola complex is put under a lot of stress with its movement - and the blood supply can be compromised with the placement of an implant. Your entire areola is slightly purple with the most obvious discoloration at the nipple itself. You likely will have some nipple slough as this heals. This means that this area may blister or flake off. In a sense, it is necrosis - because some of the superficial skin is dying. How this affects the overall healing, however, is difficult to say. Sometimes when this skin sloughs off, there is nice new skin underneath; other times, there can be pigment loss and texture loss. Your best bet is to have close follow-up with your plastic surgeon, and to see how things evolve as you are healing. Topical creams like silvadene or bacitracin can help to keep the area moist, and ensure that there is no infection as things heal up. If worst comes to worst - and again, I am not entirely sure this will at all be your scenario - the nipple areola complex can be tatooed and look extremely natural (in some cases even better than your native tissue!). As far as the sensation - it's way too soon to tell. A lot of nerves are cut to move the breast tissue, and it will take up to a full year before you know if you'll regain sensation again. Best of luck, follow-up with your Plastic Surgeon, and avoid things like smoking (which can compromise microvasculature and blood flow to tissues).
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
October 11, 2021
Answer: Nipple necrosis after a breast lift Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, this is a potential complication with breast lifts and implants. The nipple areola complex is put under a lot of stress with its movement - and the blood supply can be compromised with the placement of an implant. Your entire areola is slightly purple with the most obvious discoloration at the nipple itself. You likely will have some nipple slough as this heals. This means that this area may blister or flake off. In a sense, it is necrosis - because some of the superficial skin is dying. How this affects the overall healing, however, is difficult to say. Sometimes when this skin sloughs off, there is nice new skin underneath; other times, there can be pigment loss and texture loss. Your best bet is to have close follow-up with your plastic surgeon, and to see how things evolve as you are healing. Topical creams like silvadene or bacitracin can help to keep the area moist, and ensure that there is no infection as things heal up. If worst comes to worst - and again, I am not entirely sure this will at all be your scenario - the nipple areola complex can be tatooed and look extremely natural (in some cases even better than your native tissue!). As far as the sensation - it's way too soon to tell. A lot of nerves are cut to move the breast tissue, and it will take up to a full year before you know if you'll regain sensation again. Best of luck, follow-up with your Plastic Surgeon, and avoid things like smoking (which can compromise microvasculature and blood flow to tissues).
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
