Inverted nipple correction

The nipple is a rounded, protruding, external part of the human mammary gland from which a newborn or infant suckles milk. An average nipple is the size of a pea to a hazelnut. Nipples are very important for breast appearance, female sexuality, and motherhood. Sometimes, nipples are inverted from birth. In such cases, they are level with the areola or recessed deeper into the breast. The nipple is pulled inward due to a shortened milk duct system that prevents it from protruding. Most often, inverted nipples are congenital, although sometimes they can develop after breastfeeding as milk ducts scar. For women, this problem can be very unpleasant, as an inverted nipple, although not a disease, can lead to self-consciousness and sometimes even become an obstacle to breastfeeding. Thanks to plastic surgery, women with inverted nipples no longer have to live with this defect, as corrections for inverted nipples are performed. The specifics of the procedure depend on the degree of inversion. During the surgery, the structures that pull the nipple inward are released, and skin grafting is performed, thus improving the breast contour.

Surgery for inverted nipple

A cut is made and the nipple is pulled out and then secured in place during surgery. Surgical procedures to correct inverted nipples are of two types: those that do not damage the milk ducts and those that do damage them (in the latter case, the shortened milk ducts are disconnected from the nipple). In either case, the goal of the surgery is to improve the breast's appearance and preserve nipple sensation.
The operation is usually performed under local anesthesia. It takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the surgical method and the patient's anatomy.

After surgery for inverted nipples

After the procedure, the nipples will be sore, but the pain will subside within a few days. This discomfort is easily managed with medication. You can return to work after 1-2 days, but it is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activity or sports for another week. Stitches are usually removed seven days after surgery. A small scar, about 0.5 cm long, will remain, hidden under the lower edge of the nipple in the skin fold, making it almost invisible.
Generally, breastfeeding is possible after surgery, but if the milk ducts from the nipple were separated, breastfeeding will no longer be possible. If the nipples are very inverted, surgery may only help temporarily, as sometimes after surgery they return to their original position, requiring another procedure.

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