Inverted Nipple Correction

Scientific research suggests that around 10% of women around the world suffer from inverted nipples. Aside from aesthetic issues, this condition can also cause various health problems. Inverted nipples make breastfeeding more difficult, can cause psychological distress to women, make them self-conscious about their bodies, and cause recurrent nipple inflammation. Inverted nipples are caused by a short lactiferous duct or insufficiency of the soft tissue that keeps the
nipple erect and can be either a congenital (present at birth) or an acquired (resulting from injury to the breast, breast infections or cancer, or breastfeeding complications) disorder.

There are three different grades of inverted nipples:

Grade 1: The nipples are inverted, but can easily be made to protrude by manipulating them with your fingers. This grade of inversion causes no major problems with breastfeeding;

Grade 2: The nipples can be pulled out, but not as easily as in Grade 1. Breastfeeding is possible, but may be difficult due to fibrosis of lactiferous ducts;

Grade 3: The nipples are completely retracted and can rarely be pulled out. This condition requires surgery, because it makes breastfeeding impossible. It may also cause itching in the nipple area and infection.

Inverted nipple correction is the right procedure for you if:

You are older than 18 years of age;
Your condition meets the characteristics of Grade 2 or Grade 3 nipple inversion.

What you should know:

A surgical intervention enhances your breast contour, because the nipple is fixed in its proper anatomical and functional position.
Changes in the shape of the nipple are visually perceptible immediately after surgery, with the final result developing within 2 to 3 months.

PROCEDURE STEPS

1. Consultation with plastic surgeon

During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, they will inspect your nipples and assess your physical health. The surgeon will also discuss with you all available procedures and answer all procedure-related questions you might have.

2. Preparing for surgery

For best results, it is important that you also take steps to prepare for the surgical procedure. This is why you should consider quitting smoking and consuming alcohol and stop taking certain medicines.

3. Surgical procedure

The procedure is performed under local or general anaesthesia.
Micro incisions of 1 to 2 mm are made at the base of the nipple, moving it into an anatomically natural position.
Only the main shortened lactiferous ducts with fibrosis are identified and relaxed during the surgery, with most lactiferous ducts remaining untouched. The surgery will not in any way impair breastfeeding in the future.

4. Outcome and recovery

Depending on the type of anaesthesia applied, the patient can go home either the same or the next day after the surgery.
The healing process usually takes around two weeks.