female nipple reconstruction patient covering nipple with hand showing smooth skin of breast

Nipple Reconstruction Surgery

Centre For Cosmetic Surgery

Breast nipple surgery covers several different cosmetic procedures which are used for the enhancement, correction or reduction of the nipple or areola, the area around the nipple. These treatments are available for both men and women. If you are self-conscience about enlarged nipples or areolas, damaged or misplaced nipples, inverted or disproportioned nipples, and/or inflated areolas, then nipple improvement surgery may be just right for you. This procedure is often encouraged to be performed with a breast lift, breast reduction, or breast reconstruction, as it can easily be addressed. It can also serve as a stand-alone procedure for those who only need the nipple repaired or altered.
 

Nipple Procedures

As this is an individualized procedure, there are several different cosmetic procedures used for the enhancement, reduction, or alteration of the nipple and/or areola.

Nipple Reconstruction

For complete reconstruction, local skin flaps, including the skate flap, C-V flap, and star flap can be used and are elevated to create the nipple mound, which produces the contour and texture of the nipple. Once the flaps have been created through small incisions and the nipple mound has been reconstructed, the incisions will be closed and left to heal.

Inverted Nipple Correction with Partial Preservation of Milk Ducts

An incision is made just around the base of the nipple on the areola. The nipple and areola tissue is lifted from (but still connected to) the breast and stitched into a new, projecting shape. This makes the nipple stick out more. As the scar is in the shape of a circle, the tighter skin around the nipple will actually cause the nipple to stick out more. Medicated gauze is then applied to the stitched area.

Inverted Nipple Correction with Detached Milk Ducts

This procedure is much more common and may be necessary in more difficult cases but it does not preserve the milk ducts fully. An incision is made at the nipple base, and the shortened milk ducts are detached. This allows the nipple to stick out naturally. The incision is then cleaned, stitched and medicated gauze is applied to the wound.

Nipple Reduction

A nipple/areola reduction is done typically in conjunction with either a breast augmentation or breast lift after a woman is finished nursing. During surgery, part of the tip of the nipple is removed, and then the skin is sutured inward. Both nipple and areola surgeries are performed in the operating room under local or general anesthesia. In most cases, patients will be ready to go home shortly after the procedure is finished. These small incisions heal very quickly, and recovery time is minimal.

Nipple Reconstruction Recovery

If only a simple nipple repair procedure was performed, then recovery time is fairly short with patients returning to work within the week. If a more extensive surgery is done, or paired with another breast procedure, then recovery time will be extended. Recovery time for more extensive procedure usually takes about 2 weeks, in which case patients can normally return their job if its physically undemanding. Patients will normally experience bruising, swelling, and soreness for the first few days. Vigorous physical activities should be avoided for up to 6 weeks, as they may damage the healing process.
 

Nipple Reconstruction Faq

  • Am I a good candidate for a nipple procedure?

    Ideal candidates have realistic expectations for procedure, are in good medical health, can commit to proper recovery time, and are self-conscience about enlarged nipples or areolas, damaged or misplaced nipples, inverted or disproportioned nipples, and/or inflated areolas, then nipple improvement surgery may be right for you.

  • How much does a nipple reconstruction procedure cost?

    Pricing varies based on body and skin types along with combined procedures performed. Please call or schedule a consultation for more information.

Meet Dr. Malek - Delaware's Foremost Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Malek grew up in Tehran, Iran. He lived as an exchange student in Wahpeton, North Dakota before returning to Iran and graduating from Tehran University School of Medicine in 1976. Dr. Malek finished his training in general surgery and became board certified as a general surgeon, and completed his training and became a board certified plastic surgeon thereafter. He subsequently completed a fellowship in head, neck, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas before returning to Wilmington in 1984. He has since established himself as one of the most skilled and reputable cosmetic surgeons in Delaware.

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