Can I get my nipples pierced after surgery by a doctor under anesthesia?

Question

I'm interested in getting a breast reduction and nipple piercings. Will l be able to get my nipples pierced after the surgery by a doctor under anesthesia? If so, how much would that cost for all the amenities?

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi Fabulous878538,
After a month of healing, you should be able to return to your regular everyday activities after breast reduction. The breast reduction scars are at the junction of your breast skin and the areola, but do not involve the nipple itself. There should be no post-operative barriers to you getting a nipple piercing.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MDBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. It is a bad idea to pierce your nipple immediately after the breast reduction. You should wait several months until all the healing is complete and confirm with your surgeon that it is safe and appropriate to proceed with piercing your nipples. I wish you the best of luck. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

Casey Anderson, MD, FACS · Answer

Technically yes but this is not what doctors do. You can just go to the normal nipple piercing place one you are healed.

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello,
And thank you for the question.
I would recommend to wait at least 3 months after breast reduction surgery prior to piercing the nipples. 
I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon specializing in Breast Reduction surgeries to further discuss your options, specific techniques, concerns and expectations. Make sure you specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results. 
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzBreast Fellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Michelle Zweifler, MD · Answer

Breast reduction surgery removes excess, heavy sagging breast tissue and lift the nipple areolar complex.  In order to minimize the risk of nipple infection or healing issues, I would recommend waiting at least 6
weeks to 3 months prior to piercing.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Fabulous878538,
it is probably better to wait until you are fully healed prior to another procedure. I would suggest you discuss this with your plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for  your question.
No you can not get your nipples pierced at the time of surgery.  You will need to fully healed to have your nipples pierced. This may take some time. Talk to your surgeon for a timeframe. Best wishes!

Aleksandr Shteynberg, MD · Answer

Hello Fabulous878538. 
Nipple piercing is not a technically difficult procedure. However, nipple piercing can result in injury to milk ducts, infections, scarring. As a result, despite being able to do a variety of procedures on a nipple, I think a lot of surgeons may not be comfortable doing a nipple piercing. I would probably ask my patient to reconsider nipple piercing and show a few cases where I had to correct problems related to nipple piercing. 
Best. 
A. Shteynberg, M.D. F.A.C.S.Diplomate, American Board of Plastic SurgeryNew York, NY.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Having your nipples pierced at the same time as a breast reduction is not recommended.  You will want to be fully healed and be cleared by your surgeon before having them pierced.  Be sure to see a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation to learn more.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

It would be better to wait several weeks/month post reduction before piercing your nipples.  Two reasons:  Blood supply to the nipples should be unhindered.  #2, the ductal system has a large amount of bacteria which could be released during the piercing procedure.
Better to wait a bit.  If you are worried, I use a special Novocaine/Lidocaine cream that we can put on 30-40 minutes prior to piercing.  Additionally, if nervous, we could add a Lidocaine injection to the already numbed nipples so you would not feel anything at all.
Best wishes.
Dr. Taranow

Can I get my nipples pierced after surgery by a doctor under anesthesia?

Answers (11)

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