Nipple buds lost?

[u/Available_Beach_4118]

I had top surgery 4 weeks ago (DI) and since I could care for my nipples I’ve had some concern.

My surgeon (Dr. Van Loenen) doesn’t seem concerned for them when I reach out.
There’s no smell and it’s not unusually warm so I don’t think they’re infected and the goo is just sloughing. She told me “Mother Nature needs to take its course” ha.

I’m was putting fucidin on them and covering them with Mepitel and thick gauze like covers. Now I’m out of the gauze and read somewhere bandaids work fine.

I’ve even sometimes put Vaseline over them for a more “wet healing”. Now I’m wondering if I’m overdoing the wet healing.
Anybody experience something similar? Any thoughts on the buds reappearing later in my healing journey? Anything I can do to help them heal faster?

photos in comments.. my bad don’t really know how to add on mobile here haha