Inverted Nipple Surgery: A Complete Guide

An inverted nipple is a surprisingly common cosmetic issue. They affect around 10% of the UK population and are often genetic, but can also result from ageing, breastfeeding and other factors. Although they rarely pose a health risk, for many people, inverted nipples can be a source of embarrassment and affect their confidence. They can also cause inflammation and irritation of the nipple area and even lead to problems with breastfeeding.

If you have an inverted nipple that you want to do something about, the good news is you do have options. Although the NHS rarely funds inverted nipple surgery, it is available privately.

Although this common variation of human anatomy affects men as well as women, it’s women who more typically seek treatment. That’s usually due to aesthetic concerns, difficulty breastfeeding or nipple irritation and inflammation.

Generally, if they are present from birth or develop gradually in later life, inverted nipples are not a medical concern. However, if you develop inverted nipples suddenly as an adult, contact your GP as it could be a sign of breast cancer.

What can cause inverted nipples?

Patients can have one or two inverted nipples, and various factors can cause them. Many people are born with inverted nipples. That can be the result of genetics, a small nipple base or underdeveloped milk ducts. Ageing and hormonal changes, such as the menopause and pregnancy, can also cause the condition as you progress through life.

Sometimes, injuries to the breast area, such as accidents or surgical procedures, can damage the milk ducts or the surrounding area, leading to nipple inversion. Inflammation and infections can also cause changes to the breast structure or scarring that has a similar effect.

Breastfeeding is another common cause of inverted nipples. It can lead to the tightening or scarring of the milk ducts, which can pull the nipple inward. Breast cancer can also cause changes to the breast, including the nipple position.

How to fix inverted nipples?

There’s a relatively simple surgical procedure to correct the function and appearance of inverted nipples. The procedure can take anything from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the complexity and severity of the inversion.

Inverted nipple surgery is usually a straightforward procedure, with the surgeon making a small incision to free the nipple from the surrounding tissue. They then secure it in a protruding position using stitches, and in some cases, a splint.

As it’s a minimally invasive procedure, most surgeons use local anaesthetic when performing an inverted nipple correction. That means patients can usually go home on the same day as the procedure. The results are also permanent, with a very low likelihood of the nipples inverting again.

• You feel embarrassed or self-conscious
• It’s a source of irritation, inflammation, infection or general discomfort
• You’re having difficulty breastfeeding as the baby is struggling to latch on
• Only one nipple is inverted, creating an asymmetry between the breasts

What to expect during inverted nipple surgery?

The exact procedure the surgeon will use depends largely on the severity of the inversion. There are three grades of inversion, from mild to severe, with each requiring a different surgical technique.

• Grade 1 – Grade 1 inverted nipples are mild in their severity and can be pulled out and will often remain out for a time before inverting.

Surgical inverted nipple correction may not be necessary in this instance. A nipple piercing can be an effective cure, although the nipple may revert to its inverted state when the piercing is removed. In women with smaller breasts, sometimes a breast augmentation can correct the nipple inversion as the implant effectively pushes the nipple out.

• Grade 2 – Intermediate inverted nipples can be everted but will retract almost immediately. In this case, there is no alternative to surgical inverted nipple correction. The surgeon will make an incision to release the tissue and milk ducts that are causing the inversion and use sutures to maintain the protruding nipple.
• Grade 3 – Grade 3 inverted nipples are the most severe and cannot be everted at all due to the very short milk ducts. Surgical correction involves dividing the tight milk ducts and using additional soft tissue to provide support beneath the nipple before stitching it in place. This procedure can lead to some loss of nipple sensation and may impact the patient’s ability to breastfeed.

Whatever technique they use, the surgeon will have to make a small incision just below the nipple, so you can expect some scarring. However, the incision is small and strategically placed on the areola, which means any scarring will be minimal and well-concealed. Over time, as the scar heals, it will usually be barely noticeable.

Inverted nipple surgery recovery

Inverted nipple surgery is minimally invasive and the recovery time is quick. You will be sore initially, and ideally, you will have someone who can drive you home after the procedure.

You can expect to feel some pain and discomfort in the first two weeks after surgery, and that’s likely to be at its worst in the first couple of days. You can manage it with over-the-counter pain medication like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Most patients return to work after just a few days, but avoid any strenuous activity for the first week. For the first two weeks, you should also sleep on your back and avoid wearing padded bras or tight tops that put pressure on the nipple.

You will fully recover after around six weeks, with any residual swelling and sensitivity changes having resolved. The scarring, which is usually minimal and restricted to the whatareola, will continue to fade and become less noticeable over time.

What are the potential risks of inverted nipple surgery?

Inverted nipple correction has a very high success rate and is considered a safe and straightforward procedure. However, as with any form of surgery, you must understand the risks before you go ahead.

• The results are generally permanent, but there’s a slight risk the nipple could invert again.
• The milk duct may be damaged, which could impact your ability to breastfeed in the future. That is most likely when correcting more severe cases of nipple inversion.
• The incisions will leave scars. These will fade and become almost unnoticeable for most people, but some patients may experience abnormal scarring.
• Temporary or permanent changes in nipple sensitivity are possible, with the extent varying from person to person.
• It may not be possible to achieve perfect symmetry between the two nipples.
• Infection at the incision site is a risk with any surgery.
• Smokers and patients with diabetes may experience slower wound healing.

Your surgeon will discuss all the potential complications with you during the initial consultation. You will also be free to ask questions, so you can make an informed decision and proceed with confidence.

We also provide a comprehensive package of aftercare for the 12 months following the procedure. That is included in the inverted nipple surgery price.

Is inverted nipple surgery permanent?

The results of inverted nipple surgery are considered permanent. The likelihood of the nipples returning to their previous state is very slim, although they can be affected by factors such as significant weight fluctuations or pregnancy.

Get safe, high-quality and affordable inverted nipple surgery at Enhance Medical

At Enhance Medical, we are specialists in all types of breast surgery, including inverted nipple correction. We provide a customised treatment plan for every patient, tailored to their aesthetic goals and the severity of their condition.

Our surgeons have significant experience in this procedure, and we deliver the highest standards of safety and care at our state-of-the-art clinics across the UK. Please get in touch with any questions or book a free consultation to start your journey.