Nipple Reduction Surgery FAQs
Please see our frequently asked questions for Nipple Reduction.
FAQs
Yes, the nipple reduction procedure can be performed on men or women.
If you are unhappy with the shape or size of your nipples, we encourage you to visit for a no-obligation consultation. Our expert consultant plastic surgeons specialise in nipple correction procedures and will be able to recommend the best treatment method to help you achieve your desired goals.
Puffy or pointed nipples could be caused by a number of factors.
When referring to puffy nipples, you are more likely to be talking about the entire areola area of the breast or male chest. An excess in fat or glandular tissue can cause swelling of the area which gives the puffy appearance.
Conditions such as gynecomastia and tuberous breasts can cause the appearance of puffy or pointed nipples in men and women.
- Find out more about Gynecomastia treatment here.
- Find out more about Tuberous Breast Correction here.
Large nipples can also cause the appearance of a puffy or pointed nipple in men or women. Nipple reduction surgery can help to reduce the size of the nipple so that it is more in proportion to the rest of your chest or breast. Find out more about nipple reduction surgery here.
Nipple reduction surgery at The Private Clinic can successful fix a protruding nipple or a puffy nipple by reducing the height and/or width. The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and great care is taken throughout the procedure to preserve nipple sensation. There is very little downtime associated with protruding nipple correction surgery and you will be able to get back to your usual routine quickly.
To find out more about nipple reduction surgery click here to book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons.
Nipple reduction surgery is suitable for anyone who feels that their nipples are too wide or too long as long as you are over 18 years old. The best way to find out if you are a suitable for nipple reduction surgery is to visit one of our expert surgeons for a consultation where they will be able to assess you and go through any medical history. Nipple reduction procedure can be performed on both men and women and the process is pretty much the same for both.
Nipple Reduction surgery involves removing a strip of skin about the base of the nipple which is then closed and sutured which reduces the height of the nipple by pushing it back into the breast tissue. This is a very straightforward procedure and is most commonly performed under local anaesthetic as a day-case treatment.
To find out more about what is involved in nipple reduction surgery click here to make an appointment with one of our industry leading plastic surgeons.
You may feel mild discomfort in the area treated for 24-48 hours but this can easily be managed with painkillers. We recommend that you avoid strenuous activities for the first 2 weeks to avoid chafing. Patients are normally fully recovered 6 weeks after their procedure and any swelling should have settled at this point with your nipple sitting in its new position.
To find out more about the recovery period associated with nipple reduction procedure click here to book an appointment to meet with one of our expert plastic surgeons.
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.
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 a Bilateral Nipple Reduction starts at £2,100.
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.
There is no real cause for enlarged nipples and they generally start to appear as your breast develops although in some cases it can be caused by breast feeding. Other causes for enlarged, protruding or puffy nipples can be weight loss, weight gain or gynaecomastia.
The average nipple size is a projection of 6 to 10 mm however to work out your ideal shape or size it will be based on your unique breast or chest measurements. Your surgeon will determine nipple size that is proportionate to you.
There are no real health concerns associated with large nipples unless they have suddenly changed in appearance without any other obvious causes. Patients mainly seek correction purely down to the aesthetic concern that it causes them. A consultation with one of our expert surgeons will be able to tell you more about the treatment before you make a decision to go ahead or not.
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.
Nipple reduction surgery can take up to 60 minutes. We usually advise at least 20 minutes per nipple but this will vary on a case-by-case basis. If your nipple reduction surgery is taking place alongside a breast augmentation then this will be longer.
Nipple reduction surgery should not be painful. The local anaesthetic injection may sting a little bit for a few seconds but the surgery will not take place until you are completely numb. Once you have had the anaesthetic you should not feel any pain but may feel a little discomfort with pressure and movement as the procedure takes place.
If performed as a stand-alone procedure then a nipple reduction is performed under local anaesthetic as a day case procedure. Once you have been discharged by your surgeon you will be able to return home shortly after the procedure.
Nipple reduction procedures are performed under local anaesthetic if nothing else is being operated on at the same time. If you are having a combined breast augmentation for example then you will require general anaesthetic but your surgeon will inform you of this ahead of your procedure.
Many patients return to work the day after their nipple reduction surgery. We generally advise to take 1-3 days to allow any discomfort to settle but unless you are very active in your job role then you will be fine to return to work shortly after your procedure.
Nipple reduction surgery is likely to leave you unable to breastfeed. Many of our nipple reduction patients visit us after they have finished breast feeding as this can be a cause of enlarged nipples where they have been stretched. If you are concerned about being able to breastfeed after nipple reduction surgery then you should consider waiting until after you have finished breastfeeding.
Changes to nipple sensation are likely to change slightly initially after surgery. This is usually only temporary and everything should return to normal within 6 weeks with the nipple responding to touch and cold as it did previously. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on what to expect after surgery at your consultation ahead of your procedure.
We recommend that you wait 2-3 weeks before you start strenuous exercise again, especially those that involve friction against the nipple such as running or contact sports. Your surgeon will be able to supply you with full aftercare advice after your procedure and our nurses are always on hand to answer any questions that you may have after your procedure.
Patients should be fine to shower the day after a nipple reduction procedure but we advise that you try and avoid getting the dressing excessively wet. You will be able to have a bath two weeks after your procedure once your dressing has been removed. Full aftercare advice will be provided to you after your procedure. If you have any questions then don’t hesitate to contact your local clinic or our on-call number for additional advice.
We recommend that patients wait at least 24 hours before driving just to allow any side effects from local anaesthetic to pass. If you have had general anaesthetic then you must wait a week as it does take longer for general anaesthetic to be out of your system. Driving too soon after a surgical procedure could void your insurance policy so be sure to check with your provider before getting behind the wheel.
Nipple reduction surgery leaves patients with a very small scar that is often virtually undetectable. The scar often runs along the underside of the nipple where it meets the areola. If you are concerned about scarring after nipple reduction surgery we recommend visiting us for a consultation with a surgeon who will be able to explain in more detail what to expect from nipple reduction surgery.
The results from surgical procedures are permanent however it is important to remember that factors such as weight gain, weight loss, pregnancy and breast feeding can alter the results.
All surgical procedures come with risks although they are usually very rare and unlikely to occur. Nipple reduction procedure does carry a risk that you may be unable to breastfeed after surgery.
As with any type of surgery there are risks associated with nipple correction, although these are very rare and unlikely to occur. Inverted nipple surgery in particular does carry the risk of inability to breastfeed. Other risks include; adverse scarring, bleeding, haematoma formation, infection, numbness, alteration in sensation and asymmetry in the healing and in the final result. But these will all be discussed in more detail at your consultation with a surgeon. Click here to book a consultation with an industry leading plastic surgeons near you.
We are able to offer patients a free nipple reduction phone or video consultation with a member of our experienced patient coordinator team.
During this consultation you will be able to find out more about the procedure and find out which of our expert surgeons will be best suited to meet your requirements.
To secure a timed appointment slot we do require you to pay a £25 deposit. This is deposit will be refunded to you once the consultation takes place. Should you find yourself unable to make your appointment slot, you will be able to change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.