Inverted Nipple Correction

What is inverted (retracted) nipple correction?

Inverted nipples often cause considerable distress and embarrassment, as well as making hygiene and breast-feeding difficult.

The nipple can be completely retracted and not evert at all, or it can be manually everted and spontaneously return to the inverted position.

In some patients it occurs on both breasts and in others, it is only on one side. Inverted nipples usually develop during puberty and are the result of short milk ducts. Occasionally they can occur after puberty, and they can be associated with breast reductions, infection or trauma. If an inverted nipple develops with no obvious cause, it is important to have this investigated to ensure there is no underlying problem.

Surgery for inverted nipple correction is a simple procedure taking approximately 15 minutes to perform in the clinic under a local anaesthetic (you will be awake but should not feel any pain).

A small cut is made at the base of the nipple. The ducts are freed and stretched using a dissolvable suture to tighten the junction of the nipple and areola, preventing the nipple everting again. A small, dissolvable suture is placed in the incision, which will fall out after a period of approximately 1 to 2 weeks. The scar should not be visible once it has healed.

Having cosmetic surgery should be a very positive experience and decisions about surgery should never be rushed.

Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, all surgery has risk, and it is important that you are aware of the possible complications. All the risks will be discussed in detail with you at your consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with me.

There will be some discomfort for the first day and occasionally bruising may occur, but this should resolve rapidly.

Scars:  There is always some scarring after surgery, but this is hidden at the base of the nipple and should not be visible.

Bleeding: This is uncommon, however if this does occur it is unlikely to require any further surgery and can be stopped with temporary pressure on the nipple.

Infection: This is very uncommon but may require antibiotics if it does occur.

Breast-feeding: As the ducts are divided, you are unlikely to be able breast-feed after this procedure. If you wish to breast-feed, then it is best to delay inverted nipple correction until after you have completed your family plans.

Recurrence: It is possible for the nipple to invert again after surgery. This is very uncommon but if it occurs then the procedure can be repeated and should correct the inversion.

All the risks outlined above will be discussed in detail at your consultation with me. However, if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask. Decisions about cosmetic surgery should never be rushed.

A light waterproof dressing is applied, and you will be able to go home.

Before you leave the clinic, you will be given a follow up appointment to see the nurses at one week post-operatively to check your incisions and an appointment to see me in clinic, usually 2 weeks later.

If you are feeling well then you can return to work as soon as you wish. Try to avoid swimming for 2 weeks to prevent possible infection from contaminated water.

If you have any concerns, then do not hesitate to contact us for advice.

For self-funding patients, surgical fees are a combination of the hospital or clinic costs, the surgeon, and any consumables. I do not charge additional fees for post-op appointments. The fees are usually based on the planned surgical time taken to perform the surgery, rather than procedure itself. This means that the costs are calculated fairly.

You will be given a quotation for surgery approximately 48 hours following your consultation.