Nipple Inversion Repair
Breast Inversion
Are You A Good Candidate
Meeting With The Doctor
How The Procedure Is Performed
What To Expect After Surgery
Possible Side Effects And Risks
How Long Will The Results Last
Questions You May Have
Nipple Inversion Repair
Inverted nipples can be repaired with a minor surgical procedure that improves nipple projection and nipple appearance. In addition, many women undergo nipple inversion repair to improve the efficiency of breastfeeding. The doctors at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery will work with you to determine if you are a good candidate for nipple inversion repair and to ensure that you are happy with the results of the procedure.
Are You A Good Candidate for Nipple Inversion Repair?
If you are in general good health and have a clear understanding
of the limitations and potential results of your nipple
inversion repair, you are an ideal candidate for the procedure.
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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to your surgery, you will have a lengthy consultation
with the staff and doctors at The Metropolitan Institute
for Plastic Surgery. The consultation provides you with
a clear understanding of the procedure, as well as an accurate
picture of how your breasts will look after the surgery.
The staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic
Surgery will:
· Describe in detail how your nipple inversion repair will be performed
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Outline in detail what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol consumption
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How
The Procedure Is Performed Your nipple inversion
repair surgery will be performed
on an outpatient basis at the Center
for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI) or at one of the
area hospitals where the Metropolitan
Institute for Plastic Surgery doctors operate. The surgery
is performed under local anesthesia
and generally takes about 30 minutes to one hour to complete.
You will go home shortly after your surgery.
The doctor makes a small incision in the nipple area and
then corrects the inversion using stitching or local rearrangement
of your tissue. Once the inverted nipple has been corrected,
the incision is stitched closed and gauze dressings are
placed over your breast. A special surgical bra is placed
over your breasts after the surgery to ensure that your
breasts are held in the best position for healing.
What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Shower or Bath | One to Two Days After Surgery |
| Back to Work | One to Two Days After Surgery |
| Driving | One to Two Days After Surgery |
| Physical Contact With Breasts | Three to Four Weeks After Surgery |
| Strenuous Activity | Three Weeks After Surgery |
| Fading of Scars |
Several Months to One Year |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, you will be ready to go home shortly after
your nipple inversion repair procedure. You may be drowsy
after the anesthesia and the area around the incisions will
be sore so it is important to have someone drive you home
after your surgery.
The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your procedure, you
may feel tired from the anesthesia and sore from the surgery.
The doctor will prescribe pain medication to alleviate most
of the discomfort. Your discomfort level will improve rapidly
after the first two days. Incisions limited to the nipple
area generally heal very quickly and with only minor discomfort.
The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first week after your surgery. Other things to be aware of:
· Any bruising you experience will usually disappear in about two weeks.
· You may experience some numbness in the area of the surgery. This numbness is caused by the swelling of your breasts after surgery and usually disappears within six weeks of surgery.
· You may experience some tingling in the nipple-areola complex after surgery. This is a normal result of the healing (link to Ed_Healing.doc) process and will go away within six weeks of the surgery.
· Your stitches will be removed within 7 to 10 days after surgery.
You should sleep on your back for the first week after
surgery to help with the healing process. You should wear
the special surgical bra placed over your breasts after
surgery at all times for the first few days. A softer sports
bra should be worn at all times for the first two weeks
after surgery. The bra should be worn even while sleeping
to help hold your breasts in the correct position. You may
take the bra off to shower or bathe, but must put it back
on immediately after drying off. If the bra feels too tight,
call the staff at The Metropolitan Institute for Plastic
Surgery immediately - bras that are too tight can cause
skin problems.
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Resuming Your Normal Routine
You are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
· You can most likely return to work or school within a day of your surgery.
· You can resume driving within a day or two of your surgery.
· You should avoid sex for at least the first week after your surgery.
· Two weeks after surgery, you can begin to sleep without the special elastic bra you’ve been wearing. However, you should continue to wear this bra during the day for four to six weeks after your surgery.
· Do not go without a bra for at least six weeks after your surgery.
· Strenuous exercise can begin
about three to four weeks after your surgery, but remember
that everyone heals at different rates so take these activities
slowly until you feel ready. Our patients are encouraged
to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff
prior to resuming exercise.
· The scars on your breasts should be protected from sunlight
for at least a year after surgery.
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Things
To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery The skin
of your breasts may appear shiny due to swelling. Within
a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will
return to a normal appearance. You may experience some numbness
in the area of your surgery, but this generally goes away
within six weeks of your surgery. If both nipples are corrected,
your breasts may heal at different rates. One breast may
swell, one may feel less comfortable, or the shapes of your
breasts may look different. This is normal; however, when
your body is fully recovered, your breasts will look very
similar and natural.
What Are The Possible Side Effects
or Risks? Like all surgical procedures, there
are risks associated with nipple inversion repair surgery.
These risks can be greatly reduced by closely following
the instructions provided to you by the staff of The Metropolitan
Institute for Plastic Surgery.
Some possible side effects include:
· Loss of nipple sensation
· Inability to breastfeed
· Recurrence of nipple inversion
· Scarring
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How Long Will the Results of Your Nipple Inversion Repair Last?
Nipple inversion may recur within months to years or the results of the surgery may be permanent. There is no way to know how long the nipple inversion correction will last. The doctor will discuss possible scenarios with you at your initial consultation.
Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be done along with nipple inversion repair to enhance the size and shape of my breasts?
Depending on the size and condition of your breasts, a breast
augmentation, breast lift,
or breast reduction,
could be performed to enhance the size and shape of your
breasts. All of these options will be discussed with you
when you meet with the doctors and staff of The Metropolitan
Institute for Plastic Surgery.
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my nipple inversion
repair surgery?
Nipple inversion repair is a cosmetic procedure and, therefore,
not covered by insurance. You
are responsible for the full payment for your procedure.
Cost and payment options will be discussed fully with you
at your initial consultation. In rare cases where severe
nipple refraction prevents breastfeeding, insurance may
pay for all or part of the procedure. This will be discussed
with you during your initial consultation.
· Are there alternatives to nipple inversion repair surgery?
The Niplette by Avent Pharmaceutical provides a non-surgical option that can be used if the patient is a good candidate. Whether or not you are a good candidate for use of the Niplette will be determined during your initial consultation. Specific instructions on the use of the Niplette will be provided at your initial consultation.
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