I had a breast lift 5 weeks ago. I had breast implants a few years back and my PS and decided to keep the original implants in. After the surgery he told me because he could not cut to deep as not to hit the implant I might have scabing on my areolas. The left breast has healed beautifully but my right one has gone from dark to terrifying. I have spoken to my PS many times about this he says I am having poor circulation and to leave it alone and let the scabs fall of on there own. Help!
Answer: Nipple necrosis Sorry to hear of your complication. The blood supply to the nipple is inadequate and necrosis has occurred. The cause of this can be arterial inflow, venous congestion and tension. This complication occurs more commonly in secondary procedures and in particular in smokers. At this point there is not much you can do to save the nipple. I would look to your plastic surgeons advice as to the exact plan from here as I am sure he is just as upset about it as you are. This would be my recommendation, based on the photo alone: It looks like the living and dead tissue has demarcated and it is time for a trip to the procedure room for debridement. The next step would be wound care followed by nipple areolar reconstruction which may include a flap, skin graft or delayed secondary closure.
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Answer: Nipple necrosis Sorry to hear of your complication. The blood supply to the nipple is inadequate and necrosis has occurred. The cause of this can be arterial inflow, venous congestion and tension. This complication occurs more commonly in secondary procedures and in particular in smokers. At this point there is not much you can do to save the nipple. I would look to your plastic surgeons advice as to the exact plan from here as I am sure he is just as upset about it as you are. This would be my recommendation, based on the photo alone: It looks like the living and dead tissue has demarcated and it is time for a trip to the procedure room for debridement. The next step would be wound care followed by nipple areolar reconstruction which may include a flap, skin graft or delayed secondary closure.
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March 17, 2018
Answer: Nipple necrosis HI Cdoublec,Thanks for your photos and questions. I am sorry about your complication. It certainly is nipple necrosis or just dead skin. Luckily it will heal. It may take some time. It will fall off on its own but the healing process sometimes goes faster when the dead tissue is removed. I would ask your PS to remove the dead tissue to allow your body to heal faster. You will likely need nipple reconstruction but without a physical exam, it would be difficult
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March 17, 2018
Answer: Nipple necrosis HI Cdoublec,Thanks for your photos and questions. I am sorry about your complication. It certainly is nipple necrosis or just dead skin. Luckily it will heal. It may take some time. It will fall off on its own but the healing process sometimes goes faster when the dead tissue is removed. I would ask your PS to remove the dead tissue to allow your body to heal faster. You will likely need nipple reconstruction but without a physical exam, it would be difficult
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April 15, 2017
Answer: Nipple tissue loss Thanks for your question and photos. I am sorry that you are having problems. You look to have a significant area of skin/nipple necrosis. The dark tissue has no blood supply and will eventually slough off. At this stage, I would recommend that the tissue that is poorly vascularized be removed to allow for better healing; I would not "just leave it." Once the area is allowed to heal, a determination can be made as to if, and what may need to be done to repair/reconstruct the lost tissue. Keep in close contact with your PS. Best of luck.
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April 15, 2017
Answer: Nipple tissue loss Thanks for your question and photos. I am sorry that you are having problems. You look to have a significant area of skin/nipple necrosis. The dark tissue has no blood supply and will eventually slough off. At this stage, I would recommend that the tissue that is poorly vascularized be removed to allow for better healing; I would not "just leave it." Once the area is allowed to heal, a determination can be made as to if, and what may need to be done to repair/reconstruct the lost tissue. Keep in close contact with your PS. Best of luck.
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June 2, 2016
Answer: How do help my areola heal after breast lift? I seem to be losing my areola and nipple on right side. Hello dear, thanks for your
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June 2, 2016
Answer: How do help my areola heal after breast lift? I seem to be losing my areola and nipple on right side. Hello dear, thanks for your
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May 30, 2016
Answer: Needs time This will take time to heal, perhaps 3 or 4 more weeks.Then a scar/breast revision will help when the tissues soften.Sorry for your complication.Hang in there.
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May 30, 2016
Answer: Needs time This will take time to heal, perhaps 3 or 4 more weeks.Then a scar/breast revision will help when the tissues soften.Sorry for your complication.Hang in there.
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