In previous blogs pertaining to inverted nipples like the Successful Treatment of an Inverted Nipple in a 40 Year Old Woman , I noted that this condition can be quite emotionally stressful for a woman. Its presence can be associated with a loss of self-esteem and confidence, depression and greatly reduced feelings of sexual attractiveness and femininity which can impact ones sex life. Unfortunately, many women are either unaware that plastic surgery treatment is available or they have a false perception that it is a risky procedure.
The great news is that surgical correction is indeed available, with the procedure being quite predictable, straightforward, of relatively low risk and resulting in little discomfort. I perform it in my office using just local anesthesia. A small dressing is in place for around one week then a removable protective device/dressing is used on a regular basis for several more weeks.
There is no down time as regards work (non-strenuous) or school – you could return the very next day.
Guidelines to reduce risks are short. To minimize bleeding and bruising, aspirin and other blood thinners such as ibuprofen, Advil, and Motrin should not be taken starting from 10 days prior to the procedure until at least 1 week postoperatively. Smoking should be stopped for an even longer period of time, preferably several weeks or more prior to surgery. The reason for this is that smoking causes the blood vessels to the nipple to shrink in size thereby significantly reducing its blood supply and with it, the oxygen and nutrients necessary for healing and survival. In some situations, smoking can lead to a partial or even total loss of the nipple (necrosis, where it turns dark black and dies).
Finally, firm pressure on the nipple itself should be avoided for around 6 to 8 weeks in order to minimize the risk of recurrence of the inversion.
The following photos are from a patient of mine who had been bothered for years by her inverted left nipple (Fig. A, C and E). She underwent plastic surgery correction of the deformity in my office under local anesthesia. The results (Fig. B, D and F), unsurprisingly, made her extremely happy.
A) Inverted left nipple – before surgery
B) After correction of inverted left nipple
C) Inverted nipple – side view
D) After correction of inverted nipple
E) Before surgical correction of inverted left nipple
F) After plastic surgery correction of inverted left nipple
If you would like more information on the plastic surgical correction of inverted nipples or for any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform, you can call my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona