Dear All,

A Mother of Three asked about the following:
An incision around the armpit, ie around the bra line to remove lump and
lymph nodes resulted in a hard areola and non protractile nipple.
(Mum had bf baby #1 with flat nipples, however "flatness" resolved quite
quickly and fed for 18 months.)  Numbness is, I suspect due to the
severing of nerves, and would result in a non reacting nipple, however I
can't understand the effect on the areola which, when pinched, changes
very little, recedes if anything.  Surgery happened between babies 1 & 2.
 Babies 2 & 3 have had huge difficulties attaching and nipple appears
unchanged as baby comes off.  Supply was huge, yet breast did not drain
well even with expressing.  Mum fed 2 & 3 exclusively from undamaged
side.

Any ideas on what may cause hardness of areola?  One Doctor suggested
that there are ligaments that extend fron areola to armpit.

What do you think?


Thanks for you time,

JILL PAOLI
NMAA COUNSELLOR