An Inverted nipple is due to a malformation of milk ducts that pull the nipple inward. The nipples, instead of rising out of the areola, are umbilicated. This condition disfigures the appearance of the breast. The treatment for most inverted nipples is surgery. It increases the projection of the nipples, and so improves the appearance of the breast.
- Painless surgery
- Lasts 20 to 30 minutes under local anesthesia
- Outpatient surgery
- Visible scar
NIPPLE INVERSION OVERVIEW:
This information sheet is issued by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, board-certified plastic surgeon in Paris, familiar with the treatment of inverted nipples.
It provides all the information about the surgery, scars, recovery, before and after comparison photographs, Social Security coverage and the cost of inverted nipple treatment.
What is an inverted nipple?
A nipple is the protruding part in the center of the areola (darker part of the skin on the surface of the breast). It’s the end of lactiferous ducts from which milk leave the breast. The nipple size may be 3 to 7 mm. it may be flat, or invaginated. It’s called an inverted nipple.
Nipple inversion is due to short or underdeveloped lactiferous ducts that pull the nipple inward, or/and to fibrosis.
PRINCIPLES OF AN INVERTED NIPPLE SURGERY
What’s the goal of an inverted nipple surgery?
The goal is to achieve a permanent projection of the nipple to give the breast a more natural appearance. The benefit is only esthetic as it doesn’t improve lactation.
What causes an inverted nipple?
In most cases patients were born this way but it may also result from pregnancy, breastfeeding or infectious breast disease.
THE STEPS OF THE INVAGINATED NIPPLE CURE PROCEDURE:
BEFORE AN INVERTED NIPPLE PROCEDURE:
- Two preoperative consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon will be conducted.
- You will get a mammography or/ and an ultrasound if needed.
- Before and after comparison photographs of the inverted nipple will be taken.
- Preoperative instructions are as follow:
- Quit smoking at least one month before the surgery and up to 1 month after the surgery to avoid any complication or necrosis risk.
- Discontinue any anti-platelet or blood-thinning medication 15 days before the surgery.
INVERTED NIPPLE PROCEDURE:
- It is performed under local anesthesia. Sometimes very anxious patients may be sedated.
- The procedure lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Dr Vincent Nguyen performs the surgery on both nipples himself.
The definitive projection of the nipple is visible after about a year but the physical improvement is immediate as soon as the first dressing is removed. The inverted nipple treatment releases the existing nipple. Therefore, its size doesn’t depend on the surgery.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE ON INVERTED NIPPLES:
- This nipple surgery is not a painful surgery. Only light analgesics will be prescribed.
- Patients may go home immediately after the procedure.
- No nursing care is required after the surgery. Nipples will be covered with a sterile dressing for about 10 days.
- You may have a shower the day following the surgery but you can’t have a bath before a month.
- All sutures are absorbable and under the skin, it is not necessary to take them off.
- Follow-up consultations with Dr Vincent Nguyen will be scheduled (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and a year after the surgery).
INVERTED NIPPLE TREATMENT: PRICE AND COSTS
- Part of the cost may be covered by Social Security or Health Insurance Company if the invagination is severe. It must be first confirmed by Social Security Authority.
- If the procedure is not covered by Social Security, it will be considered as esthetic surgery.
- The cost may vary depending on the Social Security coverage. The costs may vary from … to … (find all the costs on this website).
- Make sure to find a board-certified plastic surgeon expert in breast surgery who will evaluate your needs, discuss your expectations and your options to achieve the best result for you.
INVERTED NIPPLE TREATMENT FAQs
Can the nipple invert again after the procedure?
After a nipple correction treatment, there may be a risk that the nipple invert again.
Is there a risk that the treatment alters the ability to breastfeed?
In certain cases, breastfeeding may be proven difficult as the treatment may affect the duct system. But inverted nipples often prevent women from breastfeeding.
What scars and treatments for inverted nipples?
To get protruding nipples, the surgeon cuts lactiferous ducts deep under the nipple.
Many incisions are possible, through the nipple or under the nipple. In any case, a deep suture provides a permanent correction.
The use of dermal flaps centered on the nipple may be indicated to have a better projection of the nipple.
In all cases scars are very small and fade over time.
May inverted nipple surgery be combined with another breast procedure?
Yes, it may be associated with any other esthetic breast surgery (breast augmentation with implants or lipofilling, breast reduction, breast lift with or without implants) or with a reconstructive breast surgery (breast deformity, tuberous breast, mammary asymmetry, breast reconstruction after breast cancer, Poland syndrome…).
What are the alternatives to inverted nipple surgery?
If the patient doesn’t want to undergo surgery, it may be possible, in case of mild inversion, to perform a suction of the nipple with a syringe to release the nipple. It must be done every day for 3 months to get a result.
