Can Flat Nipples That Were Once Inverted Be Corrected with Surgery?

asked 9 months ago by Questions galore in Jeffersonville, IN
Latest answer by Laurie Casas, MD
Question viewed 415 times
Tags: candidate, flat, options

I was born with inverted nipples that I've been highly self conscious about. I had nipple reconstruction done to fix them, but now they are just flat. Is there anything that can be done to have erect or semi-erect nipples?

10 answers to Can Flat Nipples That Were Once Inverted Be Corrected with Surgery?

Inverted nipples that are now flat

Depending on the type of surgery you had done, it may be possible to release more of the tethering ducts and increase the protrusion of your nipples. If the ducts have been fully released, you might just naturally have flatter nipples. (Over time, even a second surgery to release ducts may result in gradual flattening of the nipples) Grafts and fillers are sometimes used to increase projection (more often in nipple reconstruction following removal or significant deformity... more

Michelle Spring, MD
Marina Del Rey Plastic Surgeon

www.marinaplasticsurgery.com

Inverted nipples can be corrected

Flat nipples that used to be inverted, can probably be corrected further. Usually, inverted nipples can be corrected to erect nipples although some mechanical method to keep them from retracting is usually necessary. You will need to be examined to know for sure but there is a good chance your nipples can be improved.

Daryl K. Hoffman, MD
Los Gatos Plastic Surgeon

www.dkhoffmanmd.com

Nipple projection can be increased with fillers

"Flat nipples" can be corrected with several techniques. One option that is relatively easy in terms of recovery is the use of injectable fillers. Short and long acting fillerrs can be used to increase volume of the nipple and increase projection. This works reasonably well in most people. Longer lasting solutions can be fat grafting, dermal grafting, or placement of silicone nipple implants. You should be seen by a board certified plastic surgeon in order to find out which... more

Matthew Schulman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Inverted Nipple Repair vs. Nipple Reconstruction

Dear Galore in Jeffersonville, IN: The projection of the nipple depends on two things where it is and how big it is. Most commonly an inverted nipple is a normal nipple that is tethered to the deeper structures. This tethering pulls the nipple back into the breast. So this otherwise normally shaped nipple lacks projection because it is in the wrong location, i.e., pulled down into the breast. A nipple can also lack projection because it is small or flat. This can occur with... more

Joseph Mele, MD
Walnut Creek Plastic Surgeon

Nipple surgery

Direct examination of your breasts will be very helpful to determine the best method to increase nipple projection. If you have additional nipple tissue that can be everted surgically, this would be the simplest surgical technique to use. If you have experienced recurrence of the nipple inversion then further release of the inverted nipples may be necessary. This may involve additional release of lactiferous (milk ducts) that may be tethering the nipples inward. In the event, that there... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Correcting flat nipples.

Flat nipples that were once inverted can typically be corrected with surgery that will help create scar tissue between the inside walls of the nipple when it is erect. Unfortunately the nipple typically does not become flat after the surgery but instead always stays erect.

Laurie Casas, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.casas.md

Nipple correction surgery

It is possible to create erect nipples from flat or inverted nipples. There are a variety of procedures designed to do this. Most of them result in minimal scarring and involve cutting the ducts to the nipple so that breast feeding is generally not possible after the procedure. Loss of sensation is not usually a problem but loss of projection can be a problem over time.

James McMahan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Flat nipples

There are several choices for the issue you describe. You said in your description that you had nipple reconstruction surgery and I'd nned to know exactly what was done to better advise you. When it comes to giving a flattened nipple more projection I have several cases where I've used fillers. I have used both Juvederm and Radiesse and I think Radiesse in several cases gave the more desirable result. I also found that it lasted longer. I also have cases... more

Scott E. Newman, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Treatment of inverted nipples

Although you have had previous nipple surgery, there are still several options to further improve flat nipples. If the lactiferous ducts were not completely released during your surgery, further surgery may be necessary. If, however, the nipples simply lack support or volume, this could be corrected with either a fat graft or an injectible filler such as a hyaluronic acid (Juvederm or Restylane), or calcium hydroxyl apetite (Radiesse).

Vincent D. Lepore, MD
San Jose Plastic Surgeon

www.vincentleporemd.com

Inverted nipples that are now just flat

It would have helped to see a picture, but likely the correction of the inverted nipples was not quite fully achieved. Most likely, repeating the procedure with full release of the tethering structures will improve your nipple projection.