What are the chances nipples will revert back to inverted after inverted nipple correction surgery?

Question

I've had inverted nipples all my life and would really like to have the surgery done to get it corrected. I saw a cosmetic surgeon for a consultation and was disappointed to find out that the nipple almost always reverts back to inverted sometimes years, months, sometimes weeks after surgery. I had been looking forward to doing this since I was a girl and to hear this completely broke my heart. What are the chances this will happen? Is it highly likely?

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  There is a small, but present, chance that corrective nipple surgery may regress back to an inverted state.  The chances are less than 20%. I can understand your apprehension, but I would recommend you see a board certified plastic surgeon for an in-person examination.  Based on your severity of nipple inversion, the risk of recurrence can better be addressed.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

In my experience, if your nipples do not relapse by six months after surgery, they won't. This is plenty long enough for scar tissue to develop and maintain the eversion. it also depends on the type of correction.

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.There is always a possibility of this happening.The best way to prevent this is to cut the ducts and tissue that are holding the nipple inward. This can interfere with breast feeding.The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative breast surgery.best of luck!Dr Schwartz

Luis Macias, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on our study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal looking at 103 consecutive inverted nipple repairs, the recurrence rate is quite low in our hands at 12.6%. Of those that have recurred, I have had some success in keeping the nipple out after a revision.  I provided a link to our research article. I hope this helps and best wishes.

Fred H. Siegel, MD (retired) · Answer

In my experience it does happen that one or both inverted nipples will fail the first attempt at repair however, there are multiple ways to fix this problem and a secondary repair is usually successful if needed.  Breast feeding may be impossible after repair, so timing is important.

What are the chances nipples will revert back to inverted after inverted nipple correction surgery?

Answers (5)

Answer: Inverted Nipple Repair recurrence rate

Answer: Inverted Nipple Repair recurrence rate

Answer: Inverted nipples

Answer: Inverted nipples

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Inverted Nipple Surgery

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What are the chances nipples will revert back to inverted after inverted nipple correction surgery?

Answers (5)

Answer: Inverted Nipple Repair recurrence rate

Answer: Inverted Nipple Repair recurrence rate

Answer: Inverted nipples

Answer: Inverted nipples

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Inverted Nipple Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.