Will Gel Breast Implants Push Inverted Nipples?

Minor nipple inversion sometimes gets a bit better when an implant is placed. Usually women whose nipples were normal in appearance before pregnancy, and now note that they are slighly inverted now that the breasts are "deflated", benefit most.
Truly inverted nipples are caused by tight bands that pull the nipple inward. They are typically not fixed at all by a breast augmentation.
I prefer to perform inverted nipple repair separately from breast augmentation because of the germs in and around the nipple, the possibility of infection of the breast implant, and concerns about blood supply to the nipple (especially if a lift is being performed as well).

Inverted nipples are not uncommon.  If you are seeking a breast augmentation procedure, then I would visit with a plastic surgeon who also has experience with inverted nipples, as this would be a separate procedure to permanently correct the inverted nipple.  The implant alone will not correct the inverted nipple.

Inverted nipples are usually benign.  Sometimes they can be a sign of cancer, so this should be investigated before any correction is done.

If you have a droopy nipple or a nipple that has loose skin, sometimes filling up the skin envelope with an implant will help. 

If you have a truly inverted nipple, this is usually caused by internal nipple fibers tugging on the skin.  The treatment usually consists of cutting these fibers and then some sort of suturing technique to keep the nipple out.  The implants wont help this so much. 

As stated, new and changing conditions of nipple inversion need to be evaluated. As for long standing cases, fixed nipple inversion which are not easily everted are unlikely to respond to implant placement. However, nipples can be everted by stimulation or which are the result of volume loss (after nursing or weght loss) may demonstrate partial correction with implants.

First thing is to make sure that it's not a medical problem. Nipple inversion first must be looked at to make sure it is not a tumor that is tethering on the nipple. If it's on both sides, then you can move on to correction.
A breast augmentation will perk up nipples but usually it won't correct inversion. Depending on the degree of nipple retraction you may want to do the breast aug then see if anything needs to be done afterwards since this can be done in the office. If it's really a significant degree of inversion then you must consider correction during the same augmentation surgery.
Best Wishes,
DoctorMeade

Generally, you should not expect the implant to have much effect on the nipple or nipple-aeolar complex, even with a periaeolar incision. While an inverted nipple might look a little better initially, it usually goes back to its originial shape and form when the post-operative swelling resolves. If this is something you would like addressed it would be best to have it done as a separate procedure and not count on the implant to correct it for you.

Theres no doubt that some women with inverted nipples are helped solely with a breast augmentation. If you want to be sure yours are better, I would discuss a correction of the inverted nipple to be done at the same time as the augmentation. The incision is very small, the results are much more predictable and it shouldn't add much to cost, recovery, or risk.

Thank you for the question.


Sometimes breast  augmentation  has the additional benefit of improving nipple inversion. This is especially true if the nipple inversion is not “permanent nipple inversion”. I usually recommend that patients wait to see if the breast augmentation is sufficient to improve the nipple inversion situation prior to undergoing formal nipple inversion surgery (which carries its own set of risks and potential confrontations).




 I hope this helps.

Depending upon the severity of the inverted nipple, implants may help push them out. If it is a Gtrade III inversion where distracting it out it barely moves, then no. You will need a formal procedure on them at that point.

I suggest several points to consider:
1) Nipple inversion is common and usually benign and harmless, but occasionally it can be a sign of breast cancer, so have it evaluated first.
2) Breast implants, whether they are saline or gel filled, will provide a platform of support behind the nipple and areola. This can improve projection for lax or sagging nipples, but doesn't correct the actual inversion. They will often look better after augmentation.
3) Your surgeon can provide a procedure to correct the actual inversion. This stretches or divides the shortened ducts and fibrous tissue and restores a natural appearance. The procedure does not assure breast feeding, so you may want to delay it. The procedure can be done by itself, under local anesthesia, or at the time of your augmentation.