How long after breast augmentation can you get your nipples pierced?
This is a question that many people ask when they’re thinking about getting their nipples pierced. It’s one of the most common questions asked by women who are considering cosmetic surgery.
It’s also a question that can be answered easily: you can get your nipples pierced after any type of breast augmentation surgery, including breast implants, breast lifts, and breast reductions.
The only thing to consider is whether or not you have any health issues that might put you at risk for complications. For example, if you have diabetes or heart problems, it’s best to wait until those conditions are more stable before getting your nipples pierced. That said, most women who have had breast augmentation surgery can safely get their nipples pierced right away.
In this post, we’ll also consider breast reduction surgery and breast augmentation recovery.
When Can I Get My Nipples Pierced After Breast Augmentation
Where is the Breast Implant placed in relation to the Nipple Piercing?
In general, the piercing is through the base of the nipple, close to the areola of the breast. Your surgeon can place breast implants under the chest muscle, or over the chest muscle, but always beneath the existing breast tissue, including the areola. For this reason, the piercing is not near the breast implant.
Your implant placement is based on the specific surgical technique utilized, considering the type of implant you are receiving, and the personalized goals you have for your body. A highly skilled surgeon will develop a detailed plan that yields a beautiful aesthetic outcome, with your preferences in mind.
Can I get Breast Implants with Nipple Piercings?
For the most part, yes, you are a candidate for breast implants if you have nipple piercings. If anything, the nipple piercing is a point of discussion you may want to broach with your plastic surgeon.
Generally, removing the piercing, and cleansing the area with a sterile wash, is the treatment of choice when undergoing a breast augmentation procedure when you have a nipple piercing. Sometimes, patients ask if they should replace the piercing with a plastic spacer for surgery, and our general answer is no.
In our experience, removing a piercing for surgery, and then either reinserting the jewelry when healed, or re-piercing the nipple, works in most circumstances. Your doctor may or may not recommend a plastic spacer. Ultimately, consult your physician for professional advice on your specific case.
Do I need to take my Nipple Piercings out before Breast Augmentation Surgery?
In some cases, you do not need to need to remove nipple piercings before getting breast implants. If you will be undergoing a breast lift, then you will certainly need to remove the piercing. In most breast lift procedures, the position of the areola changes, so to allow for cosmetic repositioning and best-case aesthetic outcomes, you should remove your nipple piercing.
With a breast lift, the surgeon makes an incision around the areola and may be manipulating the tissues in this area. To achieve an ideal cosmetic outcome, remove your piercings.
Also, this type of peri-areolar incision is slightly more often associated with a higher risk of infection than an inframammary incision, which occurs beneath the breast in the inframammary fold. In these cases, the nipple piercings are an added liability, so removal tends to decrease infection routes, and minimize infection-related complications.
Can I get my Nipples Pierced after Breast Implant Surgery?
Usually after the post-operative phase, you should be able to get your nipples pierced without issue. In general, surgeons will recommend you wait at least three months to assure that your body has healed and that your entire system is back up and running full speed. Remember, every case is unique, so consult your physician for specific recommendations.
Should I have any other concerns about Breast Implants and Nipple Piercings?
Nipple piercings, by their nature, do introduce a small opening route from the outside world into the mammary tissue of the breast. Because of this entry way, experts believe that there may be an increased risk of infection for the breast in general, when a nipple piercing is present. This risk carries over into breast surgery.
Your surgeon may introduce a nipple shield during breast augmentation surgery to close off the entry way and reduce the possible contamination of an implant with skin bacteria.
Ultimately, a skilled plastic surgeon will know how to effectively manage your nipple piercing and will work under sterile technique to keep the overall risk of post- operative infection low.
Considering Breast implants with Nipple Piercings
If you are considering breast augmentation surgery with implants, you will have questions. It is important that you select a plastic surgeon with whom you feel comfortable asking all questions that you have. Even questions you may shy away from or feel self-conscious about – know that your comfort level is key, and your surgeon expects you to have unique questions. It is important that you feel well-informed and guided by your surgeon towards your best-case outcome.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammaplasty, removes fat, breast tissue and skin from the breasts. For those with large breasts, breast reduction surgery can ease discomfort and improve appearance.
Breast reduction surgery might also help improve self-image and the ability to take part in physical activities.
If you’re thinking of breast reduction surgery, talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon. It’s important to understand what’s involved with breast reduction surgery, including possible risks and complications. It’s also important to know what the surgery can and can’t do.
Why it’s done
Breast reduction surgery is meant for people who have large breasts that cause the following:
- Chronic back, neck and shoulder pain
- Shoulder grooves from bra straps
- Chronic rash or skin irritation under the breasts
- Nerve pain
- Not being able to take part in some activities
- Poor self-image due to large breasts
- Trouble fitting into bras and clothing
Breast reduction surgery generally isn’t recommended for people who:
- Smoke
- Are very obese
- Don’t want scars on the breasts
You can have breast reduction surgery at any age — sometimes even as a teenager. But breasts that aren’t yet fully grown might need a second surgery later in life.
Reasons to postpone breast reduction surgery include:
- Planning to have children. Breastfeeding might be challenging after breast reduction surgery. However, certain surgical techniques can help keep the ability to breastfeed.
- Planning to lose weight. Losing weight can often result in changes to breast size.
Risks
Breast reduction surgery has the same risks as other major surgeries — bleeding, infection and a bad reaction to the anesthesia. Other possible risks include:
- Bruising, which is temporary
- Scarring
- Difficulty or inability to breastfeed
- Differences in the size, shape, and look of the left and right breasts
- Not being happy with the results
- Rarely, losing the nipples and skin around the nipples or the feeling in them
How you prepare
Your plastic surgeon will likely:
- Look at your medical history and overall health
- Discuss what size you want your breasts to be and how you want them to look after the surgery
- Describe the surgery and its risks and benefits, including likely scarring and possible loss of feeling
- Examine and measure your breasts
- Take photographs of your breasts for your medical record
- Explain the type of medicine used to put you to sleep during surgery
Planning breast reduction surgery might require:
- A mammogram
- Not smoking for at least six weeks before and after surgery
- Not taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, to control bleeding during surgery
Usually, you can go home the day of the surgery. Arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital.
What you can expect
Breast reduction surgery is usually done under general anesthesia, either in a hospital or outpatient surgical center.
During the procedure
Incisions made for breast reduction surgeryEnlarge image
The method used to reduce the size of your breasts can vary. The process might include:
- Surgery through incisions
- Liposuction to remove excess fat in the breasts
The surgeon usually:
- Makes an incision around the nipple and areola and down each breast
- Removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin to reduce the size of each breast
- Reshapes the breast and resets the nipple and area around it, also known as the areola
The nipple and the area around it usually stay attached to the breast. For very large breasts, the surgeon might need to remove them and add on a new nipple.
Your surgeon will try to make your breasts look alike, but breast size and shape might vary somewhat. The size of the areola also might be smaller. The incision scars will fade over time, but they won’t completely go away.
After the procedure
Immediately after surgery:
- The breasts are covered with bandages and a surgical bra to hold them in place
- A tube might be placed under each arm to drain any extra blood or fluid
- You may receive medicine for pain and medicine to decrease the risk of infection
For the first days or week after surgery:
- The breasts will probably feel tender
- The breasts might be swollen and bruised
- A surgical bra that closes in front is worn to support the breasts
After that:
- Limit physical activity for 4 to 6 weeks while the breasts heal
- Wear an approved surgical bra at all times to allow the breasts to heal and reduce swelling
Scarring fades over time. You will need a follow-up visit with your surgeon to check your recovery.
Results
Successful breast reduction surgery can relieve pain in the upper back, neck and shoulders. It might also increase the ability to take part in physical activities and promote a better self-image.
Results will show right away, but it can take months for the swelling to completely go down and the surgical scars to fade. The final result generally lasts a long time. But aging, changes in weight, pregnancy and other factors can change breast shape and size.
Breast Augmentation Recovery
Every woman is different and recovery time can vary. There are various factors such as implant size and type, placement and even the surgical skill of the doctor which can affect recovery time.
On average, a full recovery period usually takes about four to six weeks. It’s important to refrain from physical activity, lifting heavy objects and overworking yourself during this sensitive time.