5 days post op - Black aerola

[Jimmy99]

I'm 5 days post op.  I plan to write about my entire experience in the near future but for now I have a question.

I had breast tissue removed via an incision, a minor lift and liposuction.  I have stitches along the top of my aerola.  Today I had my bandages removed and saw the results for the first time.  I was a bit freaked out to see half of each of my aerola were almost black.  I'm not talking about the stitch line, Im talking the aerola themselves. 

The doctor said they appeared to the vascurally challenged.  He said that can sometimes happen.  He seemed a bit concerned.  He poked them with a neddle and no blood came out.  I could not really get him to give me a solid conclusion as to what that meant.  He asked if the compression vest felt too tight, of course I had nothing to compare it to.  I kind of got the feeling something was not 100 percent right.  It's not like the doctor said 'ahh dont worry about it'.  Maybe he was just being very professional by not making a statement of good or bad either way.  I have a follow up appointment in about a week to remove my stitches so its not like he is taking any additional action which I take to be a good sign.

He is one of the top guys in the country.  I will forgo any names at this point until this all gets sorted out.

The nurse, who took my drains out, said it was common and the color usually returns in 2 weeks. 

Other than that the results look really good.

So should I be worried?

Again I plan to write my entire story and post it here, but for right now, just in case, I dont want to give too many details.

[The_G0rn]

  Black flesh is never good. 
Have not heard of this before, it sounds uncommon.
Just wait and see what happens i guess. Keep us updated.

[Jimmy99]

Well its not so black as I originally posted.  Its very dark purple with bits of pink here and there.  maybe not such an issue.  i'll update as it progresses.

[Twin Peaks]

My guess is that you just have extensive bruising under the nipple. Hopefully it will go away in a few days/weeks or so.

[gynebegone2]

I had the same problem with my right nipple.  I think around week two it just came off as a scab (strange since it wasn't just near the incision but who knows.)  I did however make sure to get my blood pumping by taking hour long walks every day (as I was worried it was due to loss of circulation) I suggest you do the same.  What really got me worried was that it was numb (normal), and when I pushed on it, it appeared to turn white.  I was also a little worried b/c I am a smoker and might have snuck a few during the first two weeks.

I was shitting a brick for a good two weeks , but it all turned out ok.  Ups and Downs my friend.

Good Luck

[jerkycom]

The black stuff on your nipple is most likely dried blood (like a scab) that's been pressed flat by your compression garment.  It will go away on its own.

[Jimmy99]

Thanks gynebegone2. 

I was mostly concerned how the doctor got a little bit flaky.  he poked with a neddle and no blod came out, he poked it again.  He didnt seem very confident for once. I was reminded of a very important thing.  the phrase that came to my mind is "you cant cheat god".  Maybe not god per se, but i realised we are npt in complete control, even when go out and find the best there is.

I decided to just let it be and see what happens.  started to walk and now back at work (7days).  if i look at it too much it's hard to tell if there is progress, i think there is but i am nto sure.

one question gynebegone2, when you said it fell off like a scab and then said it all worked out i guess you meant the top layer of skin peeled off and there was new skin underneath?

[gynebegone2]

Thanks gynebegone2. 

one question gynebegone2, when you said it fell off like a scab and then said it all worked out i guess you meant the top layer of skin peeled off and there was new skin underneath?

Yeah thats exactly what I meant.  I was definitely not just dried blood on the surface either, but perhaps under the skin.  As far as I recall it was not very much like a scab for the first week or so, it was just like black skin..  Kinda weird.  Hopefully you will have the same results.  I posted a log of my first few weeks in one of the other sections maybe you can find it and see if things sound familiar.

[Noseguard]

Did you have any skin removed?

In other words did you doc remove some skin just above the nipple then pull it up to raise it?

[Jimmy99]

As it turns out my condition is exactly like that of gynebegone2.  The skin of the very surface is dying and is scabbing off.  I did have a minor lift so yes I think about an inch of skin was removed above each of my aerola.

I can not tell you how much of a huge relief this is.  At first I was a little freaked out.  I will continue to use the antiniotic oinments and let the skin coem off in due time so the skin underneath has time to develop.

Thanks again gynebegone2.  Let's hope this becomes part of the body of knowledge for the medical community.

By the way 10 days post op and I feel really good.  Most of the brusing is gone and I am gettign feeling back.  I wont get my stiches otu until next week.  I was not prepared for how major of a surgery this was.  So keep that in mind if you are going to do this.  For me it took about 9 days to feel close to 100 percent and it will take significantly longer before my chest looks relatively normal.

[gynebegone2]

Great to hear!  I know exactly what you were going through and it certainly wasn't pleasant.

[Jimmy99]

The issue of black areola is done.  Half of each aerola became very dark, then the skin scabbed up and peeled off.  On one aerola the the scar (had a minor lift) took a long time to completely close up.  But now all is good.  New pink skin is now present.  Slowly the regular brown pigment is returing.  I'm about 2 months post op.  I expect color to return to normal in about another two months.

A tip:  Keep your scar tissue soft by using lots of antibiotic oinment ('neosporn' or generic petro based ointment).  My surgeon applied it liek he was puttign frosting on a cup cake, gloobs of it.  Use 2" x 2" (or larger) bandages and tape to keep oinment in place.  apply at least twice a day, replace badnage with eahc application. Obviously do not pick at or peel the skin away.  I also suggest just one shower a day.  In my case when my scabs get wet they become vulnerable to premature peeling.  Also it seems my skin would prefer for me not to wahs away my natural oils (but this is just me thinking this, I have no medical knowledge per se).

My skins has always healed slowly so it coudl be my case was more extreme due to this.  It took almost 7 week for both scars to close completely.

[Mike1141]

Hey man i am new to this site I had a similar problem like you on both my nipples. The right nipple was black came off and is bright pink. Its not to bad on the nipple something I can deal with. My problem is by the incesion going mabye halfway to the areola was scabbed 2 and resulted in like you said pink skin. This is very obvious as my areola is dark. Will this new skin turn to its original color or be a white scar tissue. Also should i use mederma or does this change skin color. I am really freaking out I am 12 day po and its freaking no way i could ever go shirtless will deformed looking areolas.

[cani]

I am having the same problem. One sided gyno and 3 months post op. Nipple is still purple. Shouldn't it have been peeled off by now? I'm a bit worried. I can't really feel my nipple and its somewhat dry :/

[abdrah]

Hi cani,

Only my left nipple turned black, I guess cos more work was done on it. The black skin started shedding off at about the 2 week mark. At 3 weeks now, about 80% has peeled off, revealing new skin. If after 3 months, its still black, you had better consult with your surgeon. Maybe it isn't healing as it should.