Robert Whitfield MD explains how breast reshaping repositions the nipple higher on the chest based on skin quality, current position, and degree of sag. Surgeons typically measure 17 to 20 centimeters from the sternal notch to determine ideal nipple height.
Typically between 17 and 20 centimeters (patient-dependent).
That's one element. Now, when we're trying to reshape the breast, it depends on how much breast tissue each patient has. We're trying to get the areolar nipple complex positioned on the chest so that it's higher. That's done a certain way. So depending on each patient's skin, where the nipple areolar complex sits, how much sag there is, how much volume there is, how big the implant is, we have to discern what, what combination of procedures will help that patient. If we're taking for instance, a patient has really low set nipple areolar complex, you want the nipple areolar complex to actually line up to where the breast fold should be. If you can't actually tell where that is because it was arbitrarily lowered during the breast augmentation procedure, you can make measurements and give an estimate, typically between 17 and 20 centimeters, depending on the patient, from the notch to the edge of the realer complex. This will help give you a guide. If once again, you can't tell due to the distortion of the anatomy.
