Purple Nipple

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janeheg
janeheg Member Posts: 5
edited June 2020 in Surgery - Before, During, and After

Had a double mastectomy and immediate silicone implant reconstruction on June 8, 2020. Doing well for 10 days. Drains came out and all looked good. On day 11 the bottom of the right breast turned very red. No fever and skin not hot. PS put me on Doxyclycline for 10 days. Redness has gone down well, but nipple is purple. Thoughts? Thanks!

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  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited June 2020

    Did your PS say what kind of infection you had? When do you go for your follow- up appointment? Call and ask if this is normal or if your nipple isn't getting enough blood circulation.

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  • janeheg
    janeheg Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2020

    Already had follow up appt when he took the drains out the day before. I went back in the next day when the redness appeared and he put me on the docyclycline just in case there was infection. I do not think there was as I had no fever and the skin was not warm to the touch. Nipple was not discolored at that point. Called to day to ask about it and nurse will call me back tomorrow

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  • DiveCat
    DiveCat Member Posts: 968
    edited June 2020

    My right one turned rather purple at one point after my original surgery (PBMX, direct to implant) and I was concerned it was going to die but it survived.

    A purple nipple may mean poor blood supply (ischemia). This itself is not terribly unexpected after surgeryand is not certainly going to progress to necrosis. It also can just be bruising. Redness is actually an early sign of bruising followed by blue/purple and green/yellow.

    The concern of course is this progressing to necrosis. The nipples unfortunately are at risk of complications like that. My sisters surgeon delayed putting her implants in (was supposed to be direct too) because he was so worried about blood flow to her nipples during the surgery after the mastectomies. Definitely follow up with your surgeon tomorrow if you are at all concerned!



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  • janeheg
    janeheg Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2020

    Thank you Dive Cat! I appreciate it. I do have a call in to the PS nurse and will talk with her tomorrow. Too bad they don’t give you a head’s up about this kind of thing so at least we would know what is normal and what is not

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  • janeheg
    janeheg Member Posts: 5
    edited June 2020

    Saw the PS this morning. NO infection, thank goodness! The right side just was not getting as much blood flow as the left, hence, the redness and purple nipple! he says it is better and will be absolutely fine. Just takes some time. Thank goodness.

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