Inverted Nipple Repair
Inverted nipples pull into your areolas rather than protruding outwards, leading to significant self-consciousness and body image issues. However, patients can rest assured that an inverted nipple repair is a fairly simple procedure. The procedure is performed within the surgeon’s office within 30 minutes under local anesthesia and Pro-Nox sedation. You feel no pain, discomfort, or anxiety, and you can resume all your daily activities in a day or two.
If you’re concerned about your inverted nipple repair, you have nothing to worry about. Below, we provide an overview of what you can expect before, during, and after your nipple repair.
Consultation
Your inverted nipple repair will start with a private consultation with Dr. Luis Macias, an internationally-renowned double board-certified plastic surgeon in Marina del Rey. He’ll review your medical history and discuss your concerns and cosmetic goals. He’ll also examine your nipples to determine the severity of your nipple inversion.
The following are the three levels of nipple inversion:
- Level One (Least Severe): May protrude outward with touch, cold temperatures, or other sensations.
- Level Two (Moderately Severe): The nipples resist external sensations and retract inwards soon after protruding outwards.
- Level Three (Highly Severe): The nipples must be surgically protruded.
Dr. Macias will determine which of these categories you fall into and curate the treatment plan accordingly. He’ll also walk you through the entire treatment process and provide preparatory guidelines.
Preparation
If you’re a smoker, you should stop smoking cigarettes or consuming tobacco in any form at least 2 weeks before the procedure. Smoking and nicotine increase the risk of bleeding and prevent effective healing after surgery. The surgeon will also ask you to temporarily discontinue medications and supplements that increase your blood pressure. You should follow all the preparatory guidelines to ensure smooth and effective treatment.
Procedure
Inverted nipple repair is an in-office procedure that concludes within 30 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia, with the possibility of Pro-Nox sedation. The local anesthesia ensures you don’t feel any pain or discomfort, but you’re still awake for the procedure. If you’re anxious or worried, you can also opt for Pro-Nox sedation to alleviate your anxieties. Pro-Nox delivers nitrous oxide and oxygen for immediate mental relief.
The inverted nipple repair can be performed with two possible techniques:
- Technique #1: Dr. Macias prefers the milk duct preserving technique, wherein a small incision is made at the lower border of the nipple to shape a protruding nipple and areola with stitches.
- Technique #2: Most other surgeons make the incision around the nipples’ borders to detach the milk ducts, allowing the nipple to protrude outwards. However, this method affects breastfeeding capability.
Recovery
Inverted nipple repair involves minimal downtime. Most patients can resume their daily activities the same day, though some prefer taking a day or two off work. You’ll have a low-profile stent in place to support the nipple for a week, and you may experience mild swelling for about two weeks. While you can resume most of your normal activities, you should avoid strenuous workouts until you’ve recovered completely.
If you’re interested in or curious about the benefits of correcting your inverted nipples, schedule a private consultation with Dr. Macias in Marina del Rey.