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Do your nipples look flat or stuck down practically inside your breast? Or maybe you had difficulty with breastfeeding because your nipples were pulled in or retracted? This condition, known as inverted nipple, can persist throughout your adult life. In the midst of the modern day “free the nipple” movement worldwide, inverted nipples can make you feel self-conscious in clothing and in the bedroom. Read on to learn how we treat inverted nipples at Tannan Plastic Surgery.
How is Inverted Nipple Surgery Performed?
We have the option of performing this plastic surgery procedure while you are completely asleep (under general anesthesia) in our certified operating room, or under sedation with local anesthesia. Dr. Tannan will help you weigh the pros and cons of each option. A small incision is made (often less than one inch) and through here we release the tight fibrous bands that are pulling your inverted nipple down. Think of reins when horseback riding – we release the reins and literally free your nipple. After that, Dr. Tannan reshapes the nipple with internal and external stitches, then places protective devices to keep your nipple in its new position. Surgery takes less than a couple hours depending on how severely the nipples are inverted.
Is a Nipple Inversion Procedure Right for Me?
This procedure is safe and produces natural-looking results. The long-term success varies based on the severity of the nipple inversion. While most cases enjoy long-term permanent correction, some very severe cases can recur even after the best surgery and postoperative care. Dr. Tannan will counsel you on what to expect after surgery based on what we find during the examination.
What is Recovery Like Following Surgery to Correct Inverted Nipples?
After surgery to correct inverted nipples, you may experience swelling and mild discomfort for the first few days. This usually subsides after a week or so, and you can return to daily routine after that. We ask you to avoid exercise and other strenuous activities for a few weeks while you are healing. Dr. Tannan keeps a close eye on you in the follow-up period. We slow down or increase your activity level based on your own healing progress.
