Bridgewater plastic surgeons at Advanced Liposuction Center want patients to know that nipple correction surgery is not as difficult as you may think. Did you know that nearly 20% of women have inverted nipples? Unfortunately, many women with nipples that are retracted into tissue surrounding the areola are too self-conscious to ask what can be done about them.
Causes of inverted nipples:
- Genetics—some women are born with inverted nipples
- Breastfeeding complications
- Infection
- Weight loss
- Breast cancer
- Pregnancy
Inverted nipples pose a problem for women who wish to breastfeed a baby. For other women, they are just unhappy with the appearance of the nipples.
Whatever the reason, our expert cosmetic surgeons can correct inverted nipples with a simple surgical procedure.
What’s Involved
The surgeon will correct nipples using local anesthesia. The cosmetic surgeon will release the connective tissue that holds the nipple in place. Dissolving sutures are then used to keep the nipple forward. The procedure requires only a small incision, so scarring is very minimal. The areolas natural texture and color will make the scar very difficult to see.
There is only minor discomfort following the procedure. Most patients are able to return to work within 2-3 days following the surgery. The exception would be if your job is very physical. In that case, the doctor may recommend you wait 2-3 weeks. You should also wait about that amount of time to return to your usual exercise routine.
You are a candidate for nipple correction surgery if you are over 18, have good overall health and are not nursing or pregnant. Sometimes women who have undergone a mastectomy may consider nipple correction to put the finishing touch on breasts after reconstructive breast surgery.
What Makes You A Good Candidate For Inverted Nipples Surgery?
There are some factors that will make you a good candidate for this surgery, here are some of them:
- Patient must be a non-smoker
- You must be healthy physically and mentally
- If you are not happy with the appearance of your nipples
Who Should Avoid This Surgery?
You must avoid the surgery if you are:
- Pregnant
- Breastfeeding
- You are planning to breast feed in future
What Is The Recovery Process For Inverted Nipple Correction Recovery?
Every patient has a recovery period of at least six weeks, but the most important part of this recovery will the first two weeks.
Since in this period you may feel the most discomfort. Symptoms like
- Soreness
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Bruising
Are normal, so you don’t have to worry about them at all. If you can’t manage the pain then try to talk with your doctor.
After few days you can return to your daily activities and work, but make sure to stay away from any kind of strenuous work.
They may ruin your surgery results, but you can continue them after you have fully recovered!
Can I Breastfeed After Surgery?
Whether you can breastfeed or not, it depends on the type of surgery you had.
Your surgeon will try their best to protect your milk ducts and not harm them, but it’s not guaranteed that they may succeed.
Therefore you must undergo this surgery if only you are the planning to breastfeed in the future and you are finished having kids.
What To Avoid After Inverted Nipple Correction?
- Smoking And Alcohol Intake
After any kind of surgery try your best to avoid smoking as they can decrease the recovery speed. Just like smoking, alcohol is dangerous too.
- Direct Exposure To Sunlight
Those harsh UV rays can be too much for your newly nipples, so try your best to not expose them to sunlight, they may make your scars even more visible.
What is the success rate of inverted nipple treatment?
The success rate of inverted nipple treatment can vary depending on the chosen method of treatment and the severity of the inversion. Generally, the success rate for correcting inverted nipples is quite high, but it may not be 100% effective for all individuals. Some common treatment options and their success rates include:
- Non-surgical methods:
– Nipple suction devices: Success rate ranges from 30% to 90% depending on the device used and the duration of use.
– Nipple everters or nipple shells: Success rate varies, but they may be less effective for more severe cases.
- Surgical methods:
– Nipple inversion correction surgery: Generally considered highly effective with a success rate of around 90% or higher.
– Various surgical techniques are available, including those that preserve milk ducts for potential breastfeeding in the future.
Is nipple correction surgery performed under local or general anesthesia?
Nipple correction surgery can be performed under either local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the preference of the patient and the surgeon. Both types of anesthesia have their advantages and considerations.
- Local anesthesia: In less complex cases where only minor adjustments are required, the surgeon may opt for local anesthesia. This involves injecting anesthetic medication directly into the area around the nipples, numbing the surgical site. The patient remains awake during the procedure, but they will not feel pain or discomfort in the treated area.
Advantages of local anesthesia:
– Generally considered safer for patients who may not tolerate general anesthesia well.
- General anesthesia: For more extensive nipple correction surgeries or when combined with other procedures, general anesthesia may be preferred. With general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious and unaware during the surgery.
Advantages of general anesthesia:
– Allows the surgeon to perform more complex procedures comfortably and without causing discomfort to the patient.
Take the first step in finding out if nipple correction surgery is right for you. Contact one of our Pittsburgh area offices to schedule your free consultation. At that time, one of our experienced plastic surgeons will meet with you. You will have a chance to discuss your appearance goals and hear about the cosmetic procedures that are available. The doctor will then help you determine the best procedure or combination of procedures to achieve the look you desire. Don’t wait, contact us today.