Inverted nipple repair is a minor procedure to permanently correct inverted nipples that fail to protrude out of the areola. The condition affects both men and women, and it often occurs during fetal development, so it is a congenital abnormality. Sometimes, only one nipple is affected, but in many instances, both are affected. In some cases, the nipples can become inverted during menopause, after breastfeeding, or after a breast surgery.

Though the condition affects around 10% to 20% of the general population, it can still be a significant cause of self-consciousness and embarrassment. ⁽¹⁾ Undergoing surgery to restore natural-looking nipples can be transformative to someone’s confidence. So long as there are no underlying issues that require attention, surgeons can use minimally invasive techniques to release the tethering breast tissues, allowing the nipple to protrude outward in a normal fashion.

If you have felt unattractive or uneasy about showing your chest due to this issue, you have every right to search for a solution. At Zarrabi Plastic Surgery, our staff will work to ensure that your issues are treated with the sensitivity and professional care that you deserve. Dr. Michael Zarrabi is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, performing the latest techniques to help patients attain the vision of their most ideal selves.

To get started with a comprehensive, one-on-one consultation at our Beverly Hills practice, call (310) 870-5358 or fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as we can. A member of the Zarrabi Plastic Surgery staff will help you get set up with an appointment at your earliest convenience.

What Causes Inverted Nipples?

Inverted nipples are often not a cause for medical concern, but they can negatively affect a person’s sense of body confidence. Usually, it develops congenitally, meaning that during fetal development, the milk ducts of the breast do not form properly. The shortened milk ducts physically pull down on the nipple from within, causing it to retreat into the breast. Both men and women have this tissue, so this is a common root source of the problem for both sexes.

The condition can also develop later in life due to something more serious, so doctors aim to evaluate the breast tissue with mammography, MRI, or ultrasound if there are other unusual signs like nipple discharge or a breast lump. Besides cancer, a highly treatable ductal infection may be present. Sometimes, the nipple inverts due to the development of a benign breast lump. The breast may simply change with time, the natural aging process, hormonal fluctuations, weight changes, and trauma. With age, especially, the milk ducts can atrophy and pull the nipple inward. The skin of the areola, as well, can lose its rigid strength due to the natural degradation of collagen that happens in all areas of the skin. In women who have undergone breast augmentation or another type of medically necessary breast surgery, scar tissue can sometimes develop and create the same retreating effect.

Inverted Nipple Grades

Clinicians can diagnose inverted nipples and categorize them as grade I, II, or III to describe the severity.

Candidates

Candidates include healthy men and women who have been unable to attain satisfactory aesthetic or functional results with manual and suction methods of restoring nipple projection. Prospective patients should be willing to stop smoking temporarily and have no major underlying conditions that affect recovery from surgery, such as a blood-clotting disorder. Dr. Zarrabi will rule out serious issues like cancer and breast tissue infection before considering inverted nipple repair. Finally, women interested in the procedure should not be planning to breastfeed, since certain repair techniques can sometimes damage milk ducts.

Personal Consultation

During your consultation at Zarrabi Plastic Surgery, Dr. Zarraabi will determine the severity of your condition and ask you about what you have tried so far to rectify it. He may review your overall health history as a starting point and order imaging tests to ensure there is not a more serious problem at play. He will discuss his recommended techniques and the kind of recovery you can expect from such a surgery. He will make sure you understand all aspects of the procedure, allowing you to make an educated decision for yourself.

For an attentive, in-depth appointment with Dr. Zarrabi, please call our Beverly Hills office at (310) 870-5358 or get in touch using our online form. Our surgeons and professional staff will walk you through the process of restoring a chest that you can feel most comfortable and happy with.

For more information about breast augmentation and other procedures at Zarrabi Plastic Surgery, please read our blog.

Inverted Nipple Repair Procedure Options

The procedure only takes about an hour to complete, and Dr. Zarrabi will only need to administer local or general anesthesia . He will make a tiny incision at the base of the nipple and release fibrous tissue adhesions that cause the nipple retraction. Certain techniques may damage the milk ducts, making future breastfeeding impossible or difficult. However, there are several options that women can undergo to preserve the functioning and structure of the milk ducts.

Dr. Zarrabi can apply a dermal flap technique in which he will excise skin in and around the nipple, releasing tension and allowing it to protrude normally. Another technique that preserves glandular tissue utilizes sutures to support outward projection. ⁽²⁾ There are multiple incision and suture patterns your surgeon can perform, providing exceptional results customized to your unique needs. The goal is to release connective tissue around the nipple rather than severing strong fibrous bonds directly within the nipple. With any open incisions, Dr. Zarrabi will apply dissolvable sutures to promote its outward positioning, keeping it from inverting once again. He will then apply a surgical bandage over the nipple/s, protecting the incisions and/or sutures from infection and friction.

Recovery and Results

Even though the surgery is centered around a sensitive area of the body, it is likely that you will only experience minimal discomfort during your recovery. You may experience some swelling and bruising that will gradually recede over the next few days. You may only need over-the-counter remedies, like acetaminophen, but you should avoid anything that can thin the blood, like NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.). You will be able to go back to work right away, but you should avoid strenuous workouts and activities for a total of 1 to 2 weeks. We will give you an ointment to apply to keep the treatment area moistened and protected. You should avoid any tight-fitting garments or bras until you pass this initial recovery period. We will schedule a follow-up appointment to assess your healing progress and let you know when you can return to the gym.

If he uses removable sutures, Dr. Zarrabi will remove them after 1 week or the remaining may be dissolvable. Depending on the technique, surgical inverted nipple repair has a 90.6% to 96.7% satisfaction rate, creating permanent results that you can enjoy for a lifetime. ⁽²⁾ Though the results are immediately noticeable after surgery, it will take a few months for the nipple to settle into its final form. You may have some loss of sensitivity, but this will return within a few weeks of the procedure.

Cost of Inverted Nipple Repair in Beverly Hills

The cost of your inverted nipple repair will depend on the applied techniques, the severity of your inversion, and any follow-up appointments you may have with Dr. Zarrabi. At the end of your consultation, he will provide you with the total cost estimate of the procedure.

If you are interested in applying for financing, Zarrabi Plastic Surgery offers such plans with CareCredit, making their services more widely available to a range of patients. Regardless of your aesthetic needs, the team at Zarrabi Plastic Surgery will welcome you and help you find the answer to looking and feeling your best.

Call our location in Beverly Hills at (310) 870-5358 or inquire online, and we will gladly help you find a consultation time and date that suits you.

FAQ

References

1. Nagaraja Rao D, Winters R. Inverted Nipple. PubMed. Published 2024. Accessed April 8, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563190/#:~:text=An%20inverted%20nipple%20is%20a
2. Mangialardi ML, Baldelli I, Salgarello M, Raposio E. Surgical Correction of Inverted Nipples. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;8(7):e2971. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002971