According to research, about 10% of women have partially or entirely inverted nipples, which can cause psychological discomfort and various health problems. Inverted nipples can complicate breastfeeding, while insufficient areola hygiene leads to the recurrence of nipple inflammation, and women become insecure. Plastic surgery can help regain the aesthetic appearance of the breasts and avoid health issues.
Women have inverted nipples for several reasons. Genetically retracted nipples form due to unusually short milk ducts or insufficient supporting tissue. Nipple defects can also occur after trauma, infectious or oncological breast diseases, or complicated breastfeeding.
Your doctor will evaluate your case and recommend the course of treatment. Treatments may vary depending on the degree of nipple inversion. If surgical nipple plastic surgery is required, it may be combined with breast augmentation, a breast lift, or done on its own.
Important: The operation cannot be performed if the patient suffers from severe breast disease.
First, before the operation, the desired result is discussed with the doctor, and all the necessary tests are done. You should tell your doctor if you have any diseases and allergies or if you are taking any medication. It is recommended not to use anti-inflammatory drugs before surgery as they may increase the risk of bleeding. We advise stopping smoking for at least four weeks before and after surgery.
There are two types of inverted nipple surgeries. In one of them, the shortened milk duct gets disconnected from the nipple while it stays untouched during the other. If it is necessary to disconnect the milk duct, you will not be able to breastfeed after having surgery.
The inverted nipple correction can be performed under local or general anesthesia based on the patient’s request and takes about an hour. Small incisions are made at the lower edge of the nipple, and the anatomically typical nipple position is formed. Nipple reduction may also be completed during the same surgery.