Inverted Nipples

Inverted nipples are not a common problem, but for the women affected, the issue can even affect a woman’s ability to breastfeed. Inverted nipples occur when the nipples pull in instead of protruding out, due to constricted tissue within the breast. By addressing that constriction through a straightforward surgical procedure, the nipple can often be permanently corrected position.

Dr Teston offers inverted nipple correction in addition to her other breast surgery procedures. In fact, when appropriate, nipples can be corrected at the same time the breasts are augmented, lifted, or reduced. With more than two decades of experience, Dr Teston is qualified to handle all of your breast concerns and help you meet your aesthetic goals.

Before Your Inverted Nipple Surgery

Before scheduling surgery to correct your inverted nipples, Dr Teston will check your level of inversion to see if surgery is even necessary. There are three basic inversion levels:

• Level One – The nipple is inverted but will respond to cold or touch and protrude normally. The protrusion is only temporary. This may also be referred to as “shy” nipples.
• Level Two – The nipple is constantly inverted but suction may bring it out briefly. Again, the protrusion is only temporary as long as the suction is working.
• Level Three – At this stage, the nipple will not project even under stimulation or suction. This is due to severely constricted tissue beneath the skin’s surface, and will likely require a surgical procedure to correct.

Dr Teston will evaluate your personal situation to help you determine the best treatment option for you. If surgery appears to be the best choice, she performs a procedure that is most likely to preserve your nipple sensation afterward.

During Your Inverted Nipple Surgery

Inverted nipple surgery is performed under general anaesthesia, to ensure you are comfortably asleep during the procedure. Several small incisions are made around the nipple and the short, tight ducts are cut to enable the nipple to protrude. This is then sutured in position. A special device is placed over the nipples for the first couple of days after the procedure to hold them in their newly projected position while healing occurs. Very rarely the ducts may be able to be stretched without cutting, depending on the degree of inversion.

This can be assessed during your consultation with Dr Teston.

After Your Inverted Nipple Surgery

The recovery after inverted nipple surgery is relatively short. Most of Dr Teston’s patients are back to their regular activities within a matter of days. Although there is no guarantee the nipples will remain in their projected position permanently, this procedure offers a much higher success rate than any other treatment today.

Potential Risks and Complications 

All surgery carries some degree of risk. Some of the possible complications of inverted nipple surgery include:

• Bleeding from an operated site.
• Infection that may require treatment with antibiotics or further surgery in some cases
• Allergic reaction to sutures, dressings or antiseptic solutions or allergic drug reactions
• Pain, bruising and swelling around the operated site
• Slow healing, often related to smoking or diabetes
• Short-term nausea following general anaesthesia and other risks related to general anaesthesia, such as deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Changes in breast and nipple sensation
• Temporary or permanent areas of numbness
• Unacceptable scarring
• Breastfeeding difficulties, including reduced milk supply
• Asymmetry (unevenness) of the size or projection of the nipples
• Inadequate correction
• Recurrence of the problem
• Further surgery may be necessary to address complications

This is not a complete list. For example, your medical history or lifestyle may put you at increased risk of certain complications. Speak to your medical practitioner for more information.

Contact Dr Teston’s office today on (02) 9708 3511 to find out if inverted nipple surgery is the right choice for you.

*The information about Inverted Nipple surgery was reviewed by Dr Leana Teston. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.