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Attractive, well-positioned, and proportionate nipples are an important goal for any woman looking to achieve a beautiful breast appearance. Inverted or “shy” nipples are often more than a cosmetic problem because they may inhibit the ability to breastfeed or enjoy stimulation. Large nipples can cause you to feel self-conscious or even physically uncomfortable when wearing thinner bras or certain shirts. Similarly, many women with overly large areolas are emotionally uncomfortable in intimate settings.
The size and shape of a woman’s nipples and areola can have a big impact on her feelings about her breasts. Dr. Prysi takes this cosmetic problem seriously and has experience performing surgery to improve the appearance of the nipple and areola.
Why Consider Nipple Repair or Reshaping?
Women may decide to undergo nipple reconstruction, nipple reduction, or inverted nipple correction surgery for various reasons. Whether they decide to do aesthetics, comfort, confidence, or health-related reasons, nipple surgery is a great cosmetic surgery option for women experiencing the following:
- Enlarged nipples
- Protruding nipples
- Inverted nipples
- Asymmetrical nipples
- Large areola
Inverted nipples are graded on a scale from 1-3, with grade 2 and grade 3 nipples making it difficult to breastfeed or respond to stimulation. Women with this severity of nipple inversion may choose to undergo nipple surgery so the nipples remain raised and normal breast function may continue. On the other hand, some women may experience hypertrophy, which is when the nipples protrude out from the body and are spherical. Women can be born with this condition, but it can also develop as a result of breastfeeding. Hypertrophic nipples can irritate by chaffing against clothing and can make it difficult to wear certain clothing as the nipples protrude from the breast tissue and remain visible even through layered fabrics.
How Is Nipple Surgery Performed?
How nipple surgery is performed depends on the type of correction that is happening. For inverted nipple repair, you will be given local anesthesia before your surgeon makes a small incision below the nipple. This is done to gain access to the milk ducts that are pulling the nipple inward. Depending on the severity of the inversion, your surgeon will either stretch the ducts and pull the nipple outward before stitching it into its new position, or they will sever the ducts completely/separate the ducts because they are too tight to be stretched.
For protruding nipples, your surgeon will precisely remove excess tissue that may be causing your nipples to stick out. The same is done when reducing the size of the areolas or correcting asymmetrical nipples.
Nipple Repair Recovery
A post-operative appointment with your surgeon will be scheduled within the first week after your procedure. The amount of time you will need to take off work depends on the physicality of your job. If your job requires strenuous movements and lifting, you should plan to take extra time off. After week three, you should be able to resume all normal activities. Nipple sensation will not be impacted by nipple reconstruction surgery.
To aid in healing your scars and avoiding them darkening or remaining permanently, you may want to introduce a scar care routine. This can consist of massaging the scar after it has fully healed, and the scab is no longer there. You can also use silicone sheets to hydrate the scar tissue and skin so that it heals softer and flatter. The best way to avoid dark scars or discoloration is to keep the scar away from any sun exposure or tanning beds.
Nipple Repair and Breastfeeding
Depending on the type of nipple repair that was performed, many mothers are still able to breastfeed. They may not produce a full milk supply, but the amount of milk produced is unknown until delivery. Breastfeeding can dramatically change the shape of the nipple, so some women who have protruding nipples may want to wait to have nipple repair done until after they are done breastfeeding to reduce the risk of the nipples returning to their previous appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear a bra after nipple repair?
Are nipple repair results permanent?
How painful is nipple repair?
Will I still have sensation in my nipples after nipple repair?
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering nipple correction surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Prysi and his skilled team at Prysi Cosmetic Surgery in Naples, FL. Visit our website to fill out an online contact form and get started today.
Have questions?
Schedule a consultation to discuss any questions you may have and to learn more about the procedure you are interested in. Dr. Prysi can’t wait to meet with you!
Contact usArtist. Surgeon. Innovator.
Mark F. Prysi, MD, FACS
Every facial surgery is a piece of art.
Dr. Mark Prysi is a nationally recognized, board-certified Plastic Surgeon, and expert in facelift procedures in Naples, FL. He is an internationally renowned expert in plastic surgery who has been consistently recognized as one of the “Best Plastic Surgeons in Southwest Florida” and one of the “Best Doctors in America.” He is the former Chief of Plastic surgery at Naples Day Surgery and past chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery at Naples Community Hospital. Dr. Prysi’s innate surgical skills and artistic aesthetic judgment combined with over 25 years of experience makes all the difference.
The medical art is a sacred trust.”
- Hippocrates