Inverted Nipple Correction

Inverted Nipple Correction in Toronto

Inverted nipples occur when the milk ducts of the breast (the channels in the breast that bring milk from the milk glands to the nipple) are short. This leads to the nipple being ‘pulled in’ instead of protruding from the breast mound. Patients may be born with inverted nipples, have them develop at puberty or they can occur after pregnancy as well. Many women feel self-conscious about this appearance and seek improvement. Performed by our plastic surgeon, Lawrence Tong, MD, nipple inversion surgery aims to remedy this appearance.

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What Does Nipple Inversion Correction Do?

The procedure aims to correct the appearance of inverted nipples by releasing the short ducts and preventing inversion from reoccurring. Women with any severity of inverted nipple could benefit.

Issues to Consider With Nipple Inversion Surgery

In some cases, nipple inversion may be related to breast disease. Dr. Tong will perform a full evaluation to make certain that nipple inversion correction surgery is appropriate for you.

Undergoing this procedure will lead to the permanent inability to breastfeed. This occurs because the ducts are transected (cut through) with the procedure. You should not assume that if you have inverted nipples, breastfeeding is impossible; many women with inverted nipples report that breastfeeding can still occur¹.

Will Nipple Inversion Correction Leave Scars?

Any surgical procedure leaves some form of scar. As a highly experienced plastic surgeon, Dr. Tong is a specialist in creating scars that are least visible. The incision for nipple inversion correction is made along the base of the nipple (not the edge of the areola). The incision spans approximately half the circumference of the base, from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock. Wearing any type of clothing will cover any of these scars. Even in the nude, the scar tends to be almost invisible when fully healed.

The Nipple Inversion Surgery Procedure

The procedure can be performed under three types of anesthesia: local anesthesia, general anesthesia, or IV sedation. Most patients choose to undergo the procedure under IV sedation, which means you are made sleepy but not unconscious. If no other procedures are being performed, Dr. Tong can treat nipple inversion while you are awake with local anesthesia. If you undergo general anesthesia, you will be asleep and completely unaware. The surgery occurs in the medical complex where Dr. Tong has his office in downtown Yorkville at 7 St. Thomas Street, Toronto.

Dr. Tong carries out Inverted Nipple Correction by making a small incision at the base of the nipple and cutting through the shortened milk ducts. Once cut, the milk ducts are released from the nipple so that they can no longer pull the nipple inwards. Dr. Tong places special internal and external stitches that prevent the problem from recurring. Finally, the initial incision is closed. After he places the last stitches, a special protective nipple dressing is placed, and you are gently awakened from anesthesia.

Recovery after Nipple Inversion Correction

If you have your procedure with only local anesthesia, you may drive yourself home. If you have had sedation or general anesthesia, you will go home after the anesthesia has worn off, accompanied by a friend or family member.

At home, you may perform non-strenuous activities such as reading, watching television or making meals. Showers are permitted 24 hours after surgery. You should expect the nipple region to feel sore for 4-7 days. Pain medication will be prescribed and may be used during this time. Sleeping with the back in an elevated position will decrease swelling in the breast region and help to significantly diminish discomfort. You may have bruising in the first 1-2 weeks. The majority of patients return to (non-strenuous) work at 3-5 days.

In one week, you will see Dr. Tong to have stitches and the special protective dressing removed. You will likely be allowed to start light exercise (e.g. slow or moderate paced exercise walking) at 1-2 weeks after surgery. Avoid strenuous activity until 4 weeks after surgery.

After the first postoperative visit, you will see Dr. Tong at 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Post-op photos will also be taken at these visits.

One thing to keep in mind is that the nipple(s) will look overly protruding initially. This is entirely normal and it takes between 2-4 weeks for the swelling to fully settle. As the swelling subsides, you will notice that the nipple has a more natural look and shape.

Your Inverted Nipple Correction Consultation

There is much information to digest during your initial consultation and Dr. Tong will make sure that you are informed at every step. Our goal is to educate you. We feel that the educated patient will make smart choices about their surgery and their surgeon. Your questions will be answered in detail, and you will never be rushed. We will never pressure you to make a decision.

To learn more about how Toronto plastic surgeon Lawrence Tong, MD can help you with inverted nipples, set up a consultation with Dr. Tong by giving us a call at (647) 496-5842. Alternatively, let us give you a call; just fill out our contact form and we will call you on the same or the next business day. No physician’s referral is needed.

¹Daniel J. Gould, MD, PhD, Meghan H. Nadeau, MD, Luis H. Macias, MD, W. Grant Stevens, MD, Inverted Nipple Repair Revisited: A 7-Year Experience, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 35, Issue 2, February 2015, Pages 156–164, https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sju113. Accessed March 30, 2021.