Reconstruction of the nipple-areolar plate and symmetrization of the contralateral breast

Dr Christelle Santini is fully aware of the importance of this surgery for a patient. It's the end of a long process and the guarantee of a new-found femininity. Symbolically, nipple reconstruction puts the patient's status as a woman behind her.

Depending on the case, Dr. Santini can propose different areola reconstruction techniques to guarantee a natural look that is synonymous with seduction:

• Total skin grafting

The skin is ideally harvested from the genitocrural fold (groin fold), where it is naturally pigmented and appears brown when grafted to the breast area. This pigmentation is not always sufficient to reproduce the color of the contralateral areola, but the result is long-lasting and often natural. It can also be tattooed if required.

The peripheral half of the areola of the other breast can also be used.

• Tattooing

This is the simplest technique, involving the introduction of a sterile pigment into the dermis. These tattoos often tend to fade over time.

There are also several techniques for reconstructing the nipple , including :

• Contralateral grafting

This is the technique of choice if the nipple is sufficiently projected and generous: part of it is removed and grafted to the other side. This procedure leaves virtually no trace and does not alter areolar sensitivity.

• Local flaps

A local flap of skin is harvested and wrapped around itself, restoring a central nipple relief. The removal scar is concealed by a skin graft or tattoo reconstructing the areola.

A preliminary examination by Dr. Santini will help you choose the best method, explaining the advantages and disadvantages. The double priority is often to ensure a natural result, and to symmetrize the contralateral breast as best as possible to restore harmony and seduction to the breast.

Medical photos are taken and advice given.

Smoking cessation is recommended one month before and one month after surgery (smoking can delay healing).

No aspirin-containing medication should be taken for 10 days prior to surgery. In the case of chronic treatment, it is preferable to seek the advice of a vascular physician before stopping treatment.

If no other surgical procedure is performed, nipple/areola reconstruction is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient, without the need to fast.

This is an outpatient procedure, with same-day discharge.

Hospitalization is only envisaged if areolar reconstruction is combined with a more invasive procedure requiring general anesthesia. The procedure generally lasts 1/2 hour. At the end of the procedure, a light dressing is applied.

Post-operative recovery is straightforward and does not require time off work.
Pain is usually moderate, and quickly relieved by the usual analgesics.

If a bumblebee (a small ball of greasy compresses applied firmly to the graft) is used, it will be removed by the surgeon after five to seven days.

Other dressings can be made by the patient herself: a dressing of greasy compresses applied to the skin graft every day.

At first dressing, the grafts may appear very white (bloodless); this coloration rapidly evolves to a purplish appearance with slight bleeding.
Scabs may also appear. A more favorable appearance (pinkish graft) appears in the following weeks.

Sutures are removed on day 21.

It is advisable to wait for the graft to heal before wetting it (careful showering).

Complications of areolar reconstruction are in fact rare, although graft failure is always a possibility. In this case, a new skin graft may be attempted.

After healing, a pink, supple areola returns the breast to its natural, full appearance, making it a symbol of femininity once again.

The rendering is symmetrical, making you forget the hardships of an illness now behind you.

• A tailor-made result, the end of a long surgical journey
• Quick response with no follow-up
• Final result at 3 months

What to do before nipple-areolar plate reconstruction?

• 1 consultation with your plastic surgeon, including medical photography
• Choice of technique for breast symmetrization.

How does areola and nipple reconstruction work?

• Local or general anesthesia depending on the patient
• 1-hour outpatient procedure
• Simple surgical follow-up

What is the post-operative course of nipple and areola reconstruction?

• Leave from 1 to 3 days
• Follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon 7 to 10 days after the procedure
• 1 month off sport
• Final results in just a few weeks