Inverted & Flat Nipple Surgery

There are 2 types of surgery that are performed on the nipple.

Inverted Nipple Surgery is for those who have an inversion of the nipple. Inverted nipple surgery is performed to release the inwards pull of the nipple.

Nipple Reduction is a procedure to reduce the width and / or height of the nipple for those who are unhappy with the size of their nipples.

Nipple inversion is often a congenital disorder that is present at birth. It is a common condition that is caused when tight bands (often shortened milk ducts) that run from the surface of the breast tissue, under the areola and outwards to the nipple pull the nipple inwards.

A newly inverted nipple can be a symptom of breast cancer as nipple retraction can occur when the tumor attacks the duct behind the nipple, pulling it in. If you have noticed a sudden change in your nipples then we recommend that you visit your GP surgery before seeking surgery to rule out any underlying health conditions.

If you have had nipple inversions for a long time then it is unlikely that it is a sign of breast cancer.

It is possible to breastfeed if your nipples are inverted but it will depend on the grade of them.

Those who have Grade 1 or 2 inverted nipples then it if often possible to breastfeed but those with Grade 3 may find it very difficult or impossible to breastfeed.

A consultation with your surgeon is a great way to get an idea of what the best treatment plan is going to be for you. Your surgeon will be able to assess you and discuss what to realistically expect from surgery. It is also your chance to ask them questions about the procedure and what to expect post-op.

In the majority of cases it is possible to be treated on a ‘see and treat’ purpose. This would often require you to send a photo to the surgeon for assessment prior to your appointment. You will then be given an appointment date where your procedure will be carried out on the same day.

It is common for inverted nipple procedures to take place at the same time as breast enlargement procedures.

Nipple correction surgery usually takes 1 hour or less under local anaesthetic.

Inverted nipple corrected is performed as day case procedure and you will be able to return home shortly after.

Inverted nipple procedures are performed under local anaesthetic but if being performed in combination with another procedure such as a breast augmentation then general anaesthetic will be used.

There are different techniques to inverted nipple correction depending on the severity of the inversion. The most common way is that the surgeon will make an incision at the base of the nipple and the ducts are then separated leaving the nipple to be able to sit back in its new position.

You will have some mild discomfort for the initial 24-48 hours after your procedure but this can be controlled by pain medication. You will need to avoid strenuous activities for the first couple of weeks to avoid chafing. You will be fully recovered after 6 weeks where your swelling should have settled and your nipple will be in its new position.

The majority of patients are able to return to work after 2-3 days.

If you are still yet to complete your family then we recommend waiting until after this time as the milk ducts which often pull the nipples inwards are divided during surgery which can make breast feeding difficult. It is a good idea to discuss breastfeeding with your surgeon at your consultation to find out more.

Your nipple sensation may change slightly in the initial stages after surgery, but everything should return to normal once healed and the nipple will respond to touch and cold as normal.

We generally advise waiting 2-3 weeks before exercising again especially activities that involve friction to the nipple areas such as running.

We recommend waiting a day or two to drive after surgery to allow the side effects from the local anaesthetic to pass. If you have had a general anaesthetic then we usually advise that you wait a week before driving again as it can take more time for general anaesthetic to be out of your system.

A very small incision is made at the base of the nipple which means any scar will be well concealed and hidden.

As with any type of surgery there are risks associated with inverted nipple correction surgery although these are very rare and unlikely to occur. Inverted nipple surgery in particular does carry the risk of inability to breastfeed.

Free inverted nipple phone or video consultations are available with one of our experienced patient coordinators who will able to provide information about the inverted nipple procedure and offer advice on the best surgeon to perform your inverted nipple procedure based on your requirements.

To secure your timed appointment we will ask you to pay a £25 refundable deposit. This is refunded once the consultation takes place. You are welcome to change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.

Book your free phone or video consultation here.

Grade is a term used to classify how severe your inverted nipples are. Your surgeon will assess your nipples and use the grading system to determine the best course of treatment.

Grade 1 – The mildest form of inverted nipples. The nipples will have a flat appearance but often still respond to touch or temperature changes and become everted for a short amount of time.

Grade 2 – A mild grade of inverted nipples that have a more inverted appearance. Grade 2 inverted nipples will often still become everted when stimulated however they will usually immediately return to their inverted position.

Grade 3 – The most severe grade of inverted nipples. Grade 3 inverted nipples will often not evert at all and remain in an inverted position at all times.

There are no significant health issues associated with long-standing nipple inversion. It is often the aesthetic concern that causes patients to seek treatment.

We would recommend that you try the Niplette suction device which can be purchased from any high street chemist to help correct the inversion before going ahead with surgery. The device is applied nightly and works to ‘pull out’ the ducts. The Niplette device has a good success rate on Grade 1 and sometimes Grade 2 inverted nipples but Grade 3 Inverted nipples may require surgery however.

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and perform over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest –patients’ satisfaction in the sector, Trustpilot 9.4, 5 star rating, 98% would recommend us to their friends and family. We are a multi award winning provider and have been voted the Aesthetic award for Best UK Clinic Group 2017.

The Private Clinic prides itself on its commitment to Medical Expertise, Patient Care and Satisfaction, Honest advice and most importantly Results. We are above all committed to Quality. Please feel free to contact us for any advice or to book a consultation with one of our expert Breast surgeons.

Inverted Nipple Correction Cost can be part of your decision to undergo a procedure but it should never be the deciding factor. For more information about The Private Clinic, our experience and medical expertise click here.

The cost of Bilateral Inverted Nipple Correction starts at £2,500.

We don’t follow a one-price-fits-all policy and prices are quoted on a case by case basis. You will be given an accurate quote for your requirements following your consultation.

Consultations with our breast surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place.

Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a surgeon.

Please note all consultations available at our Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

The results of surgical procedures are permanent however factors such as weight gain and pregnancy can alter the results.