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Inverted Nipple Surgery

What is Inverted Nipple Correction Surgery?

Inverted nipple correction is a surgical procedure for men and women who don’t feel comfortable with their inverted nipples. An inverted nipple is a nipple that appears flat or turns inward, whereas regular nipples project forward.

 Inverted nipples can create both aesthetic and functional concerns, such as inflammation, rashes and pain. In more severe cases, the condition can also limit the ability to breastfeed. In most cases, cosmetic surgery can correct inverted nipples. 

At the CREO Clinic, Dr. Omar Tillo is a breast reconstruction specialist and an expert in inverted nipple surgery. Having performed inverted nipple corrections on numerous patients, he has mastered the skills and expertise to perform the surgery in a way that produces aesthetically-pleasing and natural-looking results for his patients.

Contact the CREO Clinic today to book a consultation with Dr. Tillo and discuss a bespoke surgical solution to correct your inverted nipples.

Quick Overview of Inverted Nipple Surgery

Treatments

1

Results

Immediate

Anesthesia

Local Anaesthesia

Surgery time

1-2 Hours

Hospital time

3-6 Hours

Mobility

Immediate

Washing

2 Days

Off-Work

1-2 Days

Exercise

2 Weeks

Full recovery

2 Weeks

Inverted Nipple Correction Before and Afters

Inverted Nipple Surgery
Inverted Nipple Surgery
Inverted Nipple Surgery

What Causes Inverted Nipples?

Both men and women are just as likely to be affected by inverted nipples, with roughly 10% of the population affected overall. There are many factors that can impact a person’s likelihood to develop the condition:

  • Menopause and the ageing process – This can cause a shortening of the milk ducts, which leads to inverted nipples. 
  • Shortening/scarring of milk ducts – This can occur following breastfeeding, surgery, or injury to the breasts or chest.
  • Congenital inversion –  Some patients are born with inverted nipples due to the nipple base or milk ducts not properly developing in the womb.
  • Mammary duct ectasia – This causes the milk ducts to widen, which clogs the ducts with blocked milk. The condition usually affects women in their 40s and 50s and may go away on its own or with non-surgical or surgical treatment.
  • Mastitis – This bacterial infection can cause inverted nipples and generally affects women after childbirth when breastfeeding or women who have cracked or pierced nipples. 
  • Abscesses – These can develop under the areola (the pigmented skin around the nipple) causing the nipple to invert. These may require draining with a needle. 
  • Breast cancer – In some cases, an inverted nipple can indicate breast cancer, though this is rare

Grades of Nipple Inversion

There are three different grades of nipple inversion, which we use to classify the severity of a patient’s nipple inversion:

  • Grade 1 – The mildest form of nipple inversion, classified by an either flat or slightly inverted appearance. 
  • Grade 2 – More severe than grade 1, as the nipples appear more inverted. However, the nipples turn outward when stimulated yet revert to being inverted immediately after.
  • Grade 3 – The most severe form of nipple inversion, where the milk ducts are very short. The nipple inversion is permanent as the nipples do not respond to stimulation.

Benefits of Inverted Nipple Correction Surgery

There are several key benefits of inverted nipple correction surgery:

  • The procedure can transform the nipples from flat or inverted into outwardly-projecting and forward-facing in appearance, which many patients consider to be more aesthetically pleasing.
  • By improving the aesthetic of the nipple, the overall appearance of the breasts or chest is boosted.
  • Patients who have previously been self-conscious about their inverted nipples report a boost in their confidence and overall quality of life following their correction surgery. 
  • The inflammation and infections associated with inverted nipples are reduced. 
  • Inverted nipple correction surgery may make it easier for women to breastfeed, as those with a grade 3 inversion are unlikely to do so.

Inverted Nipple Correction Surgery Options

There are several treatments that can be taken to correct inverted nipples:

  • Dermal fillers
  • Release of ducts
  • Partial duct division
  • Full duct division
  • Dermal sling technique

Dr. Tillo will discuss these options with you and thoroughly assess your needs to determine the most suitable surgical techniques to use. 

Why Choose CREO Clinic

The CREO Clinic is home to Dr. Omar Tillo, a breast reconstruction specialist and body contouring expert. Throughout his illustrious career, he has gained both the skills and experience to perform countless inverted nipple procedures. 

Read Our Patient Reviews

See what previous CREO Clinic patients in London have to say about inverted nipple correction surgery with Dr. Tillo.

Am I a Good Candidate for Inverted Nipple Surgery?

Find out if you
are eligible for
Inverted Nipple Surgery
Inverted Nipple Surgery

    Payment Options Available.

    Terms and Conditions apply.
    Acceptance subject to credit status.

    A good candidate for inverted nipple surgery should:

    • Be in overall good physical and mental health, with a suitable BMI for surgery
    • Have realistic expectations as to what inverted nipple surgery can achieve
    • Be seeking to correct their inverted nipples

    How Much Does Inverted Nipple Surgery Cost in London?

    In general, the cost of an inverted nipple surgery in London at the CREO Clinic starts from £3,200. However, the price may vary depending on the surgical needs of each patient. You will receive the exact cost of your procedure after consulting with our surgeon.

    For patients seeking to spread the cost of their treatment, the CREO Clinic also offers a range of financing options via our partners, Chrysalis Finance.

    What to Expect

    Below, we have summarised the stages you can expect to go through at the CREO Clinic for your inverted nipple surgery:

    Consultation

    During your consultation with Dr. Tillo, he will ask you about your medical history to identify any health conditions, medications or allergies that may affect your eligibility for surgery. He will then ask you about your main concerns regarding your inverted nipples. You will discuss your honest expectations for surgery and Dr. Tillo will explain the results surgery can provide to ensure your hopes are realistic. 

    Preparing for Surgery

    Our nurse will give you all the information you need to prepare for your inverted nipple correction, and you will need to take several steps including:

    • Stop smoking – Four weeks prior to and after surgery you must stop all nicotine intake to prevent the risk of complications.
    • Avoid alcohol – Reduce your alcohol consumption before and after surgery as this can impede the healing process. 

    The Inverted Nipple Correction Procedure 

    The cosmetic procedure is usually performed under local anaesthetic and takes between 1-2 hours. The exact surgical technique will depend on the grade of nipple inversion. 

    In general, Dr. Tillo will administer local anaesthetic before making an incision under the nipple to release it from the surrounding connective tissue. Afterwards, he secures the nipple in place with a dissolvable stitch that remains in place for about a week until the incision heals. 

    Recovery and Aftercare

    Immediately after your inverted nipple surgery, you may experience swelling and bruising around the nipples, which will dissipate in a few days. In general, most patients return to work within 1-2 days. However, you must avoid strenuous activities for at least a week until your incisions heal, and avoid wearing tight tops and padded bras for two weeks. Furthermore, your nipples may feel slightly firm up to 3 months after the cosmetic procedure.

    Results Timeline

    The results of your inverted nipple surgery will be immediately visible once the dressings are off, and you will notice that your nipples project outward. However, it may take 2-3 weeks before you can appreciate the final results of your cosmetic surgery. By this time, the post-surgical side effects will have considerably reduced. Furthermore, it may take up to 6 weeks before you fully regain sensation in the nipples.

    Risks and Complications of Inverted Nipple Surgery

    Inverted nipple surgery is minimally invasive in nature and is considered to be safe. However, like any procedure, the surgery has some risks that you should be aware of:

    • Haematoma
    • Infection or delayed healing of the surgical site
    • Nipple distortion
    • Potential need for revision surgery

    Inverted Nipple Surgery FAQs

    Should I be worried about my inverted nipples?

    Developing inverted nipples is not usually dangerous or indicative of a serious health issue. However, you should always seek medical advice if you notice that your nipples have become inverted to understand the underlying cause.

    Is inverted nipple correction painful?

    Inverted nipple correction is completed under local anaesthetic, meaning that the treatment area is completely numb for the duration of treatment. If you have any concerns regarding pain, our clinics staff are experts in pain management and will be best placed to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for you.

    Is inverted nipple correction permanent?

    Yes, inverted nipple correction permanently draws out an inverted nipple.

    Is inverted nipple surgery worth it?

    An inverted nipple is a source of insecurity for many people, which inverted nipple surgery can resolve. In addition to the permanent cosmetic benefits, some women with a severe grade 3 inversion can also breastfeed after the surgery. Therefore, many patients with inverted nipples consider the cosmetic procedure to be worthwhile.

    Will I have visible scars after surgery?

    Your surgeon will make every effort to minimise scarring where possible. Any scars that do result from your inverted nipple procedure will be well hidden and gradually fade over time. <br>

    Can you breastfeed after inverted nipple correction?

    In most cases, inverted nipple surgery improves a woman’s ability to breastfeed, whereas an inverted nipple may have made it difficult to do so. However, you should speak to your surgeon if you plan to breastfeed in the future, as in some cases, the cosmetic procedure may involve severing the milk ducts, which will affect the supply of milk.

    When can I resume exercising after surgery?

    You will be able to resume exercise two weeks after surgery.

    Is inverted nipple surgery covered by insurance?

    In most cases, inverted nipple surgery isn’t covered by insurance in London as it is a cosmetic procedure. However, your insurance provider may cover the cost of the surgery if it is the result of an injury, illness, or congenital condition.

    Is inverted nipple correction permanent?

    Yes, inverted nipple correction permanently draws out an inverted nipple.

    Is inverted nipple surgery worth it?

    An inverted nipple is a source of insecurity for many people, which inverted nipple surgery can resolve. In addition to the permanent cosmetic benefits, some women with a severe grade 3 inversion can also breastfeed after the surgery. Therefore, many patients with inverted nipples consider the cosmetic procedure to be worthwhile.

    How is inverted nipple correction different from nipple reduction surgery?

    Nipple reduction is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes or reduces the size of the nipples. The surgery involves a small incision, through which the surgeon removes excess nipples tissue, thus reducing the height and width of the nipples. As such, nipple reduction treats nipples that project too much. <br><br>However, it does not treat an inverted nipple, although we can combine it with inverted nipple surgery or areola reduction if patients want to correct an inverted nipple and reduce the size of their nipples or areolas (the pigmented skin around the nipple).

    Are there non-surgical alternatives to inverted nipple correction surgery?

    The majority of inverted nipples are treated through surgery. However, some non-surgical treatments are available, with varying effectiveness:<br>- Hoffman’s technique – A manual exercise that can be performed at home to treat flat or mildly inverted nipples. Simply place the thumbs on either side of the base of the nipple, pressing firmly into the breast tissue and pulling the thumbs slowly apart. Work around the all sides of the nipple until it projects outwards.<br>- Suction devices – A suction cup device can be used for grade one inverted nipples, but the results can take up to three months to become apparent.

    Complementary Procedures

    Breast Augmentation with Inverted Nipple Correction

    Breast augmentation, commonly referred to as a ‘boob job’, utilises implants and/or fat transfer to increase the volume of the breasts while enhancing their shape. For patients seeking a larger bust as well as a means of correcting their inverted nipples, combining the two breast procedures can be an ideal option. 

    Breast Lift with Inverted Nipple Correction

    A breast lift, or mastopexy, aims to lift and reshape sagging breasts by removing excess skin and reshaping the breast tissue. Mastopexy can be particularly popular among women after pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight loss or as a result of the ageing process. 

    Combining a breast lift with inverted nipple correction can help to provide an aesthetically pleasing, youthful upper body. 

    Breast Reduction with Inverted Nipple Correction

    A breast reduction, or mammaplasty, involves the removal of breast tissue, fat and excess skin to reshape and reduce the size of the breasts. This procedure can help to alleviate back pain associated with cumbersome breasts, while creating a perkier appearance.

    When combined with a breast reduction, inverted nipple correction can complement smaller breasts by providing a forward-facing, and more aesthetically pleasing, finish.

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