Inverted Nipple Correction


An inverted nipple is a nipple that doesn't project outwards from the areola. An nipple that is inverted can look flat, or there can be a slight depression or a hole at the normal nipple location.

Inverted nipples can affect both men and women. Some people are born with inverted nipples while others may develop it after breast cancer or reconstruction surgery. There are different degrees or grades of nipple inversion, some nipples are severely inverted and others only slightly inverted.

Correction of inverted nipples depends upon the degree of the problem. Typical inverted nipple surgery can be done under local anesthesia as an outpatient. The surgeon makes an incision at the base of the nipple and releases tissue and shortened milk ducts. The surgery to correct inverted nipples is designed to release the nipple so that it has normal projection and to improve the overall cosmetic appearance of the areola/nipple complex.

Your surgeon will give you specific recovery instructions but usually you
will be asked to rest for the first week. You will probably be instructed not
to participate in strenuous activities for a few weeks. Most cases of nipple inversion correction surgery are not extremely painful – often only Tylenol is needed for pain. You will likely leave with a small dressing placed over each nipple.

It is thought inverted nipple correction surgery may interfere with your ability to breast feed, so make sure you talk about the risks with your plastic surgeon. Some surgeons may perform a technique that leaves the milk ducts intact.