How long do nipple grafts take to heal?
The nipple grafts will peel and bleed for a few weeks. After about 3 weeks, they should be completely healed and you can stop the dressing changes. It’s common for the center of the nipple graft to take the longest to heal.
What is a nipple skin graft?
About Nipple Reconstruction A skin graft is when you take tissue from 1 part of your body (donor site) and move it to the surgical site that needs to be covered (recipient site). The nipple will be made from the skin on the chest. The areola will be made with a skin graft surrounding the nipple.
How much does a nipple reconstruction cost?
If you plan on combining it with a breast lift or reduction, the cost will be higher. Done by itself, areola reduction surgery can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000. Areola reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that’s not covered by insurance. You’ll have to pay for it out-of-pocket.
Do nipple grafts fall off?
At this point, the nipple graft looks gray-brown but should have attached. Over the next 2 weeks, the top layer of the nipple graft will gradually peel off, leaving pink healthy nipple tissue underneath. Pigmentation to a typical brown color will occur over the next 1 year.
Do nipple grafts hurt?
You will generally need to apply antibacterial ointment to the nipple grafts twice a day for two to three weeks after this visit to help them heal more completely. You may experience random, shooting pains for a few months after your surgery. You can expect some loss of feeling in your nipples and chest wall skin.
Can you feel nipple grafts?
“Sensation in a nipple graft is not guaranteed,” says Dr. Sherie. “I have found that over time most patients regain sensation which feels much like the surrounding chest skin, or slightly decreased, as the graft is innervated by the ingrowth of new nerves. This process may take months to years.”
How often do nipple grafts fail?
“To date in our practice, the risk of partial nipple loss with a nipple graft procedure is 0.3%, or a little less than one in 3,000.”
What happens if your nipple dies?
If the nipple dies because of lack of blood flow, there are a couple of possible scenarios. First there is partial necrosis and usually with time the area heals. There might be some loss of sensation and the patient might need reconstructive surgery to make the remaining nipple look normal.
Do you still have nipples after a mastectomy?
When treating breast cancer with a mastectomy, the nipple is typically removed along with the rest of the breast. (Some women might be able to have a nipple-sparing mastectomy, where the nipple is left in place.
What is a nipple graft top surgery?
Double incision top surgery with nipple grafts, also known as a bilateral mastectomy with nipple grafts, is a procedure typically recommended for people with larger chests and bodies. Key information includes: This specific procedure often results in decreased nipple sensation and more significant scarring.