Nipple Surgery

There are various degrees of nipple inversion. These include:

Mild Inversion – The nipples are intermittently inverted but can evert in response to temperature or stimulation. With mild inversion the potential to breastfeed is generally not affected following corrective surgery.

Moderate Inversion – The nipples are constantly inverted and if they do evert, return almost immediately. The potential to breastfeed following corrective surgery can be reduced as surgery often affects the milk ducts.

Severe Inversion – The nipples are severely inverted and by no means evert. Breastfeeding is typically not possible following correction surgery as milk ducts are in most cases divided to achieve the correction.

If you’ve had inverted nipples all your life, it is usually harmless, though they can sometimes make breastfeeding more difficult. If they occur later in life, they can sometimes be a sign of a medical condition (like breast cancer) and should be checked out.

Correction of inverted nipples involves increasing the nipple projection, making the appearance of the nipples and breasts more normal. The treatment required to correct inverted nipples depends on the severity of the problem. Many times, for individuals with mild nipple inversion, a temporary nipple piercing, or breast augmentation may improve the projection of the nipples. In more severe cases surgical intervention is necessary. The surgery involves incisions either at the base of the nipple, across the nipple, or around the areola to allow release of the connective tissue preventing the nipple from coming out normally. Scars are very small and concealed within the nipple areola region.

Surgery can be performed both under local or general anaesthetic. It is usually as day case surgery meaning you will be able to go home the same day as the procedure.

Inverted Nipple Surgery may not be a suitable option for everyone, that’s why a through consultation is an important initial step to discuss your options and all implications involved.

Recovery after nipple surgery is very individual and will depend on the extent and type of procedure, but it is usually short. Some swelling and bruising may occur. During the healing process, you should be able to return to your normal daily activities just a few days after surgery. But any strenuous activities, or heavy lifting, should be avoided between 2-4 weeks. Wearing a good support bra for the weeks following the surgery is also recommended.

You may experience nipple hypersensitivity after surgery, but this is usually temporary. It is important to follow Mr Rezai’s pre and post surgery instructions. It may take few months for the final result to be apparent, so be patient.

Other potential complications include:

Nipple Sensation – Changes in sensation (increase or decrease) can occur after any breast surgery but normal sensation should return over the course of 6 – 12 months. Permanent loss or alteration of sensation is rare.

Nipple Necrosis – If the blood supply to the soft tissues underlying the nipple/areola is compromised, partial or complete loss of the nipple/areola is possible. Smoking will greatly increase the risk of this occurring.

Breast feeding – As previously mentioned, some corrective nipple surgeries can reduce your potential ability to breastfeed.

Scarring – Incision lines are permanent, but scars will fade over time. If a person is prone to keloid (raised) or hypertrophic (wide) scarring, there isn’t much that can be done .

Longevity – The results of your nipple correction surgery will be long lasting but, over time factors such as childbirth, breastfeeding or hormonal factors will continue to affect the size and shape of your breasts and therefore possibly nipples, just as they did before surgery.

Depending on the type of Nipple surgery you will be having, Mr Rezai will discuss the possible risks and complications with you at consultation.

• Breast Surgery Instructions

• Breast Augmentation
• Breast Uplift
• Breast Uplift with Enlargement
• Tuberous Breast Correction
• Breast Reconstruction