Was the nurse accurate about needing to know the technique used 25 years ago?

If you have a scar all the way around the areola from a donut type lift it is important to know whether the implant was out in through the upper portion or lower. It will give the surgeon the knowledge needed to maintain circulation to your nipple. Probably went in through the lower portion but you need to find out for sure if you can

Dear cashnzoe,
I tend to prefer the periareolar incision because its the most well hidden. There is a natural border between the areola and the rest of the breast skin the hides the incision extremely well. You have to be completely naked to see it vs other incisions like transaxillary and inframammary are visible in clothing such as sleeveless shirts and bikini tops when extending your arms up. I've also noticed increased rates of bottoming out with inframmary incisions that is not reported. Transaxillary implants are always wide in appearance because the surgeon is not able to dissect medially enough to provide better cleavage. Ultimately, I can perform any of the incisions but I recommend the periareolar. There is no difference in sensation because the nerves that control nipple sensation come in laterally from the back and injury to them occurs when surgeons dissect to far laterally which is why transaxillary incisions have the highest nipple sensation disruption. There is no difference in breast feeding ability. One study did show a slight increase in capsular contracture with use of periareolar but that study was small and did not incorporate modern techniques such as below muscle placement, keller funnel usage and triple antibiotic irrigation.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The risk is low since new blood vessels have grown since your original surgery. Twenty years ago, most surgeons were using the inferior pedicle technique.