Inverted nipples

Introduction

Nipples play a fundamental role in a woman’s self-esteem. In most cases, its projection goes outwards, estimating that it is 0.9 cm on average, but in some cases an anomaly occurs, projecting inwards. This can be due to various causes, including a congenital condition (3% of cases are for this reason), being 100% benign. This is why this condition does not necessarily reveal a health problem, but it is recommended to consult with your family doctor if it occurs suddenly after puberty.

What are inverted nipples?

Inverted or flat nipples are a pathology that occurs in women due to an alteration in the embryonic period and they occur at puberty when breast development begins. Many young women who present this anomaly consult a plastic surgeon or gynecologist for an aesthetic issue, rather than for health.

In this line, inverted nipples occur due to a shortening of the ducts of the breast or because the connective tissue between the nipple and the areola is very dense, as indicated by

Likewise, there are different degrees of inverted nipple, grading one the nipple that protrudes when stimulated and grades 3 the nipple that does not manage to protrude despite having been stimulated. This condition can usually be treated with surgery.

There are other benign reasons why a patient may present a retracted nipple such as an infection, fistula, mastitis, and effects of surgery, among others.

If the nipples project inward after puberty and suddenly, it is recommended that the woman goes for a review with her specialist, as this may reveal some type of health problem such as breast cancer, and which corresponds to one of the first symptoms of this condition.

How do I know if I am a candidate?

The candidates to undergo this treatment are both men and women who present this anomaly in any of its degrees (1, 2, or 3) and who have ruled out that it is of malignant origin since in those cases, the patient should be treated as a priority that condition in the first instance.

The ideal age is after puberty when the breasts have already developed and the mammary glands have already fully formed

How do I choose my surgeon?

To treat inverted or umbilicated nipples, the patient should turn to a specialist in Plastic, Aesthetic, and Reconstructive Surgery a.

For this reason, it is recommended that before choosing the surgeon, the person can take some considerations such as:

• Review the years of experience of the professional and his university degree of Specialist in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery.
• Inquire about the experiences of former patients and your success rate. Along these lines, it is advisable to request before and after photographs to observe the results.
• Check that the facilities have everything necessary to perform the surgery and are in order with health and safety regulations.

What is the first appointment with the surgeon like?

During this visit, the specialist will carry out a complete evaluation of the patient, reviewing in detail the type and degree of the inverted nipple. In addition to thoroughly examining your breasts, he will ask you to have various tests, such as a full mammography study, to see your general health and to rule out any malignancy as a cause of the inversion in the nipples.

On the other hand, during this consultation, the surgeon will ask you several questions, among which the following stand out: when did you perceive that you had this anomaly? What are your main motivations for wanting to modify this problem? surgery? among others.

In this same instance, the doctor will explain what the procedure is like the various techniques that exist, and also the possible risks associated with it. It is a very good opportunity for the patient to clarify all her doubts about the surgery.

You must expose yourself this time if you are planning to have a child and breastfeed, as this surgery can present complications during breastfeeding.

How is surgery performed?

According to, the surgery is carried out under local anesthesia. Next, the surgeon makes small incisions in the areola to free fibrous tissue, leaving, as far as possible, the ducts and mammary glands so that this function is preserved.

Along these lines, in grades 1 and 2 it is possible to maintain the milk ducts that are responsible for allowing lactation, but in grades 3 it is more difficult. In any case, the risk that is run in the first two cases, with this technique is the possibility of recurrence,

When finished, the doctor places a device on the nipple to allow the nipple to maintain the correct outward position during the healing period. The recovery process usually lasts about two weeks, since the sutures in place will be absorbed after 15 days, completing the healing process.

How is the recovery process?

The recovery process is generally quite rapid, as patients can return to their daily lives, work, or various activities after 2 to 3 days. It is not recommended to do the physical activity until the second or third week after surgery.

During recovery, the patient may present some discomfort such as changes in sensitivity, inflammation, or localized pain that will disappear over the days,

What are the advantages of this treatment?

• Increases the confidence and self-esteem of the patient.
• It is a quick procedure.
• It does not require hospitalization.
• It has low risk and complications.
• Only local anesthesia is used.
• In some cases, the patient will be able to breastfeed without problems.

Complications and side effects

possible complications are the risk of developing an infection in the incision, healing problems, or loss of sensation in Pezo n. This loss usually recovers over the days. There can also be a partial loss of the tip of the nipple, which causes its projection to be less.

What are the results?

The inverted nipple operation is usually very satisfactory for patients, its results include the following advantages:

• The results are usually permanent.
• Harmonious and natural results.
• Patients regain their self-esteem.
• The scars are not visible.

Frequent questions