Why Are My Nipples So Low After Breast Augmentation -

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure to increase breast size and projection. Some patients may experience low nipples after breast augmentation. When the nipple is positioned too low, it can have a negative effect on the patient’s overall satisfaction with her results and her ability to wear a bathing suit or form-fitting clothing.

In this guide, we review Why Are My Nipples So Low After Breast Augmentation, signs of breast implant problems, does your areola get bigger before your period, and When do nipples go back to normal after breast augmentation?

Why Are My Nipples So Low After Breast Augmentation

The nipples are the most sensitive part of your body and they’re also one of the first things to disappear when you have breast augmentation. After having this procedure done, some patients will notice their nipples have been moved lower than usual. This can be a problem for many reasons, including finding it difficult to breastfeed or just not feeling comfortable with how they look. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t panic! There are ways to get your nipples back where they belong and make sure that everything looks natural again (and no one has any idea that anything was ever wrong).

A natural side effect of breast augmentation is a loss of nipple sensation and the nipples being placed below their original position.

A natural side effect of breast augmentation is a loss of nipple sensation and the nipples being placed below their original position. This is not a problem if the nipples are positioned in the right place, but if they are too low, they can be raised with an operation.

If you’re concerned about your nipples being too low after breast augmentation surgery, talk to your plastic surgeon about ways to raise them back up higher on your breasts. In some cases, this may mean using special tape or glue to keep them in place until they heal properly; otherwise it might require another surgical procedure called mastopexy (breast lift).

Some patients may experience a loss in nipple sensation after breast augmentation, but with all the new innovative techniques on hand, this problem occurs less frequently than it used to.

The loss of nipple sensation is usually temporary. The loss of nipple sensation is caused by the implant pushing on the nerves that supply feeling to the nipples. This can be a permanent side effect for some women and temporary for others, depending on how long they have had their implants and how big they were made from surgery.

The most common reason for the nipples to be positioned lower then their original position is because the patient had an implant size that was too large for her frame and was not able to accommodate that particular implant volume.

The most common reason for the nipples to be positioned lower then their original position is because the patient had an implant size that was too large for her frame and was not able to accommodate that particular implant volume.

Another possibility is if you have small breasts, then you may have had a lift procedure with your augmentation. In this case, it is possible that your surgeon removed excess skin from your chest wall so as not to obscure any view of your new implants when standing upright or sitting up straight. This would also cause your nipples to appear slightly higher on your chest wall than before surgery but not necessarily in their original location (i.e., above where they were).

The type of implant also affects where your nipples will be placed and how they will look after the procedure. Using gummy bear implants helps maintain the shape of your breasts naturally, keep your nipples at the same height, and prevent any distortion when you lie down.

When you consider the type of implant that you want to use, it’s important to know how it will affect your nipple placement and appearance. There are multiple options available for breast augmentation, but gummy bear implants have been shown to be less likely than traditional silicone gel-filled implants in causing wrinkling around the neckline. Gummy bear implants also maintain the shape of your breasts naturally, keeping both nipples at the same height throughout recovery.

Underfilled implants can also cause irregularities in skin movement and wrinkling around the neckline and this can further cause your nipples to droop further down.

Underfilled implants can also cause irregularities in skin movement and wrinkling around the neckline and this can further cause your nipples to droop further down. If you have underfilled implants, a board certified plastic surgeon can help you avoid problems like this.

To avoid problems with nipple placement after a breast augmentation be sure to choose a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this type of procedure.

You should also make sure that your surgeon has experience with the type of implant you want to use, which is usually silicone or saline. It’s important that your surgeon is an expert at performing breast augmentation and understands the anatomy of your chest wall so they can position your nipples correctly during surgery.

signs of breast implant problems

Breast augmentation remains one of the most common and popular plastic surgery procedures performed in the U.S., and it has a low risk of complications – the most common being breast pain, changes in nipple and breast sensation, scar tissue formation, and rupture and deflation.

However, a small number of women experience a compilation of symptoms that has come to be known as breast implant illness, or BII. Though we are still learning about BII, and it is not a formal diagnosis, several new studies are investigating potential causes for the symptoms, which are wide-ranging and very real.

More than 100 symptoms have been associated with BII. Some of the most common include:

Breast implant illness has become more widely known in the last couple decades as patients have increasingly shared their stories on social media. In April 2022, retired race car driver Danica Patrick posted on Instagram about her struggles with BII and her decision to have her breast implants removed.

While it can be comforting to find a community of people with similar symptoms as you, unfortunately, sometimes these channels help spread misinformation or unnecessary fear.

Many patients with BII symptoms can find relief without having to remove their breast implants. In some cases, the cause of symptoms is an underlying condition that affects the immune system or hormone production.

If you develop unexplained symptoms that you suspect may stem from your breast implants, talk with a board certified plastic surgeon. We will listen to you and try to determine what the cause of your symptoms are and connect you with specialists if need be.

Determining the cause of your symptoms

Symptoms can occur with any type of breast implants and can start immediately after implantation or years later.

Because so many BII symptoms are associated with other conditions, it’s important to rule out causes unrelated to the breast implants. For example, many similar symptoms are associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Lyme disease. Hypothyroidism, menopause, and fibromyalgia also can cause symptoms similar to those of BII.

Our goals in diagnosis are to determine the cause of your symptoms and to make a plan to resolve those issues at the source. In some women, the implants themselves prove to be the issue, such as if the implant or tissues surrounding it stiffen, or if the implant ruptures. For many more, an underlying condition is the culprit.

Diagnosis starts with a conversation about what triggers your symptoms and the extent to which they interfere with your quality of life. From there, we may refer you to a specialist in areas such as:

If the specialists find an underlying condition, unrelated to your breast implants, treatment for that condition should relieve or eliminate your symptoms. If no underlying conditions are found, we’ll discuss potential next steps, such as removing your implants.

Deciding whether to remove your breast implants

Choosing to remove your breast implants is just as big a decision as it was to get them, and yet more women made that decision in 2021 than in previous years. According to statistics from The Aesthetic Society, 148,000 women had implants removed and replaced (up 32% from 2020), and 71,000 had their implants removed and not replaced (up 47%), though it’s unclear what role if any BII played in the increase.

If you’re unhappy with the size or shape of your implants, or if you’ve developed a complication such as capsular contracture – the formation of hard, stiff scar tissue around the implant – the decision to remove them may reduce your symptoms.

But if you are satisfied with your appearance and your symptoms are systemic, rather than directly associated with the breasts, the decision can be more difficult. Even if BII symptoms resolve after implant removal, adjusting to changes in your appearance can be challenging.

Your plastic surgeon will discuss all options with you to help you make the best decision.

Clearing up common myths related to BII

There are many websites and social media groups dedicated to breast implant illness. And it’s not unusual for patients to tell us they read or saw something that worries them in one of these communities. We’d like to address a couple of the more common concerns.

Sagging skin after implant removal: There are a lot of people who post photos of themselves after having their implants removed. These photos are usually of women who had very large – 400cc or 500cc – implants removed, leaving excessive, sagging skin behind. Images like these can cause unnecessary anxiety.

Transferring fat to the breast from elsewhere in the body can help restore some volume after implant removal. Though your breasts likely will not be as full as they were with implants, this process can provide a pleasing appearance and a less dramatic transition.

“Only one right” way to remove implants: There are several methods to safely remove breast implants:

However, many social communities say that only specific procedures – notably en-bloc capsulectomy – will eliminate BII symptoms. This is untrue, and there are situations in which that procedure could cause more problems. For example, if the capsule is stuck to the chest wall, taking it all out could cause a pneumothorax, or air to leak into the space between the lungs and chest wall. In this case, we can take out most of the capsule and cauterize the patch that’s against the ribcage.

Additionally, removing the capsule and implant together (en-block) may require a longer incision, especially for women who have only had an augmentation and not a breast lift plus augmentation.

Current research and action related to BII

Research is under way to determine the degree to which certain symptoms are directly caused by breast implants and what effect, if any, removal has on those symptoms.

A study published in December 2021 found that the type of breast implant removal performed did not affect the reduction of breast implant illness symptoms.

Part two of this study investigated concerns, expressed on some BII websites, that the presence of heavy metals in silicone and saline breast implant capsules are a primary cause of systemic symptoms and health problems. More than 20 heavy metals were studied and some participants with BII symptoms had statistically higher levels of arsenic and zinc in their breast implant capsules compared with participants who didn’t exhibit BII symptoms. But the measured levels were all below what is considered acceptable exposure levels by regulatory agencies.

Also, the research confirmed that fewer heavy metals were detected in breast implant capsules than in breast tissue from patients who never had implants. Among participants with BII symptoms, there was a higher number of current or former smokers using tobacco and marijuana and a greater number of women with gluten allergies, suggesting that environmental exposure and personal choices related to cigarette smoking, marijuana use, tattoo pigments, and dietary sources may be the source of a BII patient’s exposure to heavy metals.

Based on this research, heavy metal toxicity should not sway a patient’s decision to remove her breast implants.

Finally, it’s important to note that a BII task force has been established within The Aesthetic Society to conduct research and follow new breast implant patients for more than 10 years in hopes of establishing more definitive data and finding more answers for patients and providers.

We understand it can be extremely frustrating to feel unwell without a specific diagnosis – especially after you’ve been through one or more major breast surgeries. Our breast plastic surgery and specialist teams work together, dedicated to providing you with evidence-based care that will get you to the ultimate goal of feeling better.

If you experience symptoms or complications that you suspect may be related to breast implants, call 214-645-8300 or request an appointment online.

A breakthrough in breast reconstruction at UTSW

When Renee Mallonee found out she was BRCA2 positive and her lifetime risk of breast cancer was high, she took the news very seriously. After 15 years of screenings and tests every six months, in 2020 she turned to UT Southwestern and became the first patient in the United States to receive a single port robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy.

does your areola get bigger before your period

Breast development is a vital part of a woman’s reproduction. Breast development happens in certain stages during a woman’s life: first before birth, again at puberty, and later during the childbearing years. Changes also happen to the breasts during the menstrual cycle and when a woman reaches menopause.

When does breast development begin?

Breasts begin to form while the unborn baby is still growing in the mother’s uterus. This starts with a thickening in the chest area called the mammary ridge or milk line. By the time a baby girl is born, nipples and the beginnings of the milk-duct system have formed.

Breast changes continue to happen over a woman’s life. The first thing to develop are lobes, or small subdivisions of breast tissue. Mammary glands develop next and consist of 15 to 24 lobes. Mammary glands are influenced by hormones activated in puberty. Shrinkage (involution) of the milk ducts is the final major change that happens in the breast tissue. The mammary glands slowly start to shrink. This often starts around age 35.

What breast changes happen at puberty?

As a girl approaches her teen years, the first visible signs of breast development begin. When the ovaries start to produce and release (secrete) estrogen, fat in the connective tissue starts to collect. This causes the breasts to enlarge. The duct system also starts to grow. Often these breast changes happen at the same that pubic hair and armpit hair appear.

Once ovulation and menstruation begin, the maturing of the breasts begins with the formation of secretory glands at the end of the milk ducts. The breasts and duct system continue to grow and mature, with the development of many glands and lobules. The rate at which breasts grow is different for each young woman.

What cyclical changes happen to the breasts during the menstrual cycle?

Each month, women go through changes in the hormones that make up the normal menstrual cycle. The hormone estrogen is produced by the ovaries in the first half of the menstrual cycle. It stimulates the growth of milk ducts in the breasts. The increasing level of estrogen leads to ovulation halfway through the cycle. Next, the hormone progesterone takes over in the second half of the cycle. It stimulates the formation of the milk glands. These hormones are believed to be responsible for the cyclical changes that many women feel in their breasts just before menstruation. These include swelling, pain, and soreness.

During menstruation, many women also have changes in breast texture. Their breasts may feel very lumpy. This is because the glands in the breast are enlarging to get ready for a possible pregnancy. If pregnancy does not happen, the breasts go back to normal size. Once menstruation starts, the cycle begins again.

What happens to the breasts during pregnancy and milk production?

Many healthcare providers believe the breasts are not fully mature until a woman has given birth and made milk. Breast changes are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. This is a result of the hormone progesterone. In addition, the dark areas of skin around the nipples (the areolas) begin to swell. This is followed by the rapid swelling of the breasts themselves. Most pregnant women feel soreness down the sides of the breasts, and nipple tingling or soreness. This is because of the growth of the milk duct system and the formation of many more lobules.

By the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy, the breasts are fully capable of producing milk. As in puberty, estrogen controls the growth of the ducts, and progesterone controls the growth of the glandular buds. Many other hormones also play vital roles in milk production. These include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, oxytocin, and human placental lactogen (HPL).

Other physical changes happen as well. These include the blood vessels in the breast becoming more visible and the areola getting larger and darker. All of these changes are in preparation for breastfeeding the baby after birth.

What happens to the breasts at menopause?

By the time a woman reaches her late 40s and early 50s, perimenopause is starting or is well underway. At this time, the levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to change. Estrogen levels dramatically decrease. This leads to many of the symptoms commonly linked to menopause. Without estrogen, the breast’s connective tissue becomes dehydrated and is no longer elastic. The breast tissue, which was prepared to make milk, shrinks and loses shape. This leads to the “saggy” breasts associated with women of this age.

When do nipples go back to normal after breast augmentation?

Every woman’s body reacts to surgical procedures in different ways. So it is a possibility that during the recovery phase following your breast augmentation, you may be surprised to experience a few unexpected, peculiar situations. However, the vast majority of my breast augmentation patients in Fort Worth can expect a timely, predictable recovery and are not likely to experience any complications during and after their surgery at MP Plastic Surgery Center. This is especially true when you work with Dr. Max. He is a board-certified and experienced plastic surgeon that has successfully performed many breast augmentations.

It is still important to be aware of what you can expect and what potential changes your body will go through during and after your breast augmentation. For example, one common healing observation you may experience is your nipples pointing downward. This could be a cause for concern if you are not aware that it is completely normal and simply part of the healing process.

How Long After Surgery Will My Nipples Point Down?

Breast augmentation patients in Fort Worth can expect their nipples to point downward for three or four weeks after surgery. This is how long it generally takes your new implants to settle in, so your nipples will correct themselves naturally soon after surgery. However, it is important to note that if your implants have settled and your nipples are still pointing downward after six weeks or so, then you may need to visit our practice so that Dr. Max can assess the situation.

Request your consult!

How Long Will My Breast Implants Take to Settle?

The settling process following breast augmentation surgery is often referred to as dropping and fluffing. After your procedure is complete, you will notice the implants are sitting higher than you would probably like. This is completely normal since there is some pressure applied to the implant when it is inserted behind the muscle wall.

As your muscles start relaxing, the implant will slowly drop into more of the natural position you expected. The reason your nipples point downward during the process is due to pressure applied to the implant as it sits higher on the chest, and it also explains why the nipple returns to normal as the implant drops.

Dr. Max In Fort Worth Can Help You With Every Aspect of Breast Augmentation

An extremely small percentage of women in Fort Worth have to Dr. Max, other than for a routine checkup, following a breast augmentation procedure. Since he will give you a comprehensive recovery plan, including things you need to look out for, nothing should surprise you. However, if you notice anything out of the norm from what he has told you to expect, it never hurts to give him a quick call.

At MP Plastic Surgery Center, we want to ensure all of our patients in Fort Worth know exactly what to expect before, during, and after their breast augmentation. We understand changes in your body are out of the norm, but we will help you to restore normalcy and give you peace of mind.

Why Are My Nipples So Low After Breast Augmentation