Seattle Plastic Surgeon assures her breast lift patients that the nipple never leaves the breast. It would be impossible to drop it on the floor.
I saw a patient today who was worried about what could happen to her nipple during a breast lift. She thought we actually removed the nipple from the breast and then sutured it back into a higher position. This is a very common misunderstanding of how a breast lift works. Take a look at these illustrations that show how the nipple (actually the nipple areaola complex or NAC) stays attached to the breast tissue.
Preoperative markings for a vertical breast lift.
The outer layer of skin around and below the NAC (nipple areolar complex) is removed.
The breast tissue is loosened up from the overlying skin. The NAC stays attached to the breast tissue.
This is the "Stuff" step in what I call my "Stuff and Tuck" breast lift. The NAC is still happily attached to the breast.
This is the tuck part of the "Stuff and Tuck" Vertical Breast Lift
The incisions are closed and the nipple is inset with stitches. The skin has shifted and the breast tissue has shifted carrying the NAC with it. The NAC has stayed attached to the breast tissue the entire time. Most of the nerves and blood vessels to the NAC are undisturbed.
So there you have it; the “Stuff and Tuck” Vertical Breast Lift. So no more worries about the nipple being dropped, thrown away by mistake, mixed up with the other nipple, etc. It never leaves the breast just like my fingers never leave my hands. I know these illustrations make it look kind of easy but I don’t advise that you try this procedure at home.
Kudos to Dr. Michael J. Brown of Virginia for these awesome illustrations. They are the best I have seen.
Thanks for reading! Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder
@lisalynnsowder
