Aesthetica Editorial Team
Like every part of our bodies, nipples come in all shapes and sizes. And for some, the shape and size of our nipples continue to change throughout our lives. Whether we were born with abnormal nipples or genetics, breastfeeding, pregnancy, or aging affected their appearance, many people report feeling unconfident with the appearance of their nipples.
If this describes you, then you may be interested in nipple correction surgery. Read below to find out whether you would benefit from nipple correction surgery and what type would be ideal for you!
What is Nipple Correction Surgery?
Nipple correction surgery describes a range of plastic surgeries aimed to change the appearance of the nipples. Some of the issues nipple correction surgery addresses includes elongated/stretched nipples, overly wide nipples (large areolas), inverted nipples, and overly projected nipples. While nipple irregularities are usually harmless and don’t affect breastfeeding, many patients opt for nipple correction for aesthetic, comfort, and confidence reasons.
What are the Benefits of Nipple Correction?
Patients who’ve undergone nipple correction surgery report that the biggest benefit has been self-esteem. For some, nipple correction surgery resulted in better-fitted clothing without any unwanted nipple peekage (or pointage). For others, nipple correction surgery has been the confidence boost they needed for their intimate lives. And for others, nipple correction surgery has provided relief for mental, emotional, or physical discomfort. Below, we’ve summarized the 4 most common nipple correction surgeries that provide thousands of patients a year a huge confidence boost:
Elongated or Stretched Nipples
Elongated or stretched nipples happen for a variety of reasons, with the most common reason being pregnancy, breastfeeding, or significant weight loss. This type of nipple correction surgery is a relatively simple outpatient procedure that doesn’t usually require anesthesia. The surgeon cuts a small incision at the base of the nipple, removes excess tissue, then closes the incision. The results are a smaller, more aesthetically pleasing nipple.
Overly Wide Nipples
Unlike elongated/stretched nipples, overly wide nipples refer to the areola (the pink around the actual nipple). This is one of the most common concerns both men and women have with their nipples, as the condition is often unfondly referred to as “pepperoni nipples”. Fortunately, areola reduction surgery is a very simple procedure, but it is more intense than the previous nipple correction surgery.
Depending on how large the areola is, two techniques may be used:
A Donut Mastopexy, which is performed by simply cutting a circular “donut” of extra areola skin from around the “actual” areola. In this technique, the difference between the “donut” oversized section and the “actual” areola should not be more than about 1 centimeter. This procedure can usually be performed under local anesthesia.
However, for more intense cases, a Lollipop Mastopexy ( breast lift ) is performed if the size discrepancy between a woman’s areola is more than about 1 cm than the goal size of about 40 mm in diameter. This procedure will usually be performed under IV or general anesthesia.
The result of areola reduction surgery is “regular” sized areolas, perfectly fitting to your breast dimensions. Areola reduction surgery is one of the most common types of nipple correction surgeries and patients rave about their results.
Inverted Nipples
Whether it be from genetics, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or simply aging, inverted nipples are a relatively common occurrence that affects up to 10% of women. While it’s less common, inverted nipples can affect men too. Like elongated nipple correction, this surgery is short and doesn’t usually require anesthesia. It involves pulling the inverted nipple out with a retraction suture. Then, a small incision is made at the base of the nipple to carefully snip the retracted milk ducts that pull the nipple inward. Once the incision is closed, the nipple is covered with a healing dressing. In total, the procedure takes less than an hour and is a permanent procedure.
Nipple Projection
Nipples that are too long can be one of the most frustrating nipple abnormalities to deal with. Most patients report total discouragement when their nipples poke from their shirts, blouses, or dresses no matter what they do to prevent this. Fortunately, nipple projection correction surgery is simple and closely resembles the surgery of overly wide nipples. It doesn’t usually require anesthesia. The surgeon cuts a small incision at the base of the nipple, removes excess nipple tissue, then closes the incision to leave a less pokey nipple.
However, for other patients, nipple projection may be exactly what they want. In this case, nipple enhancements can be used to add a bit more nipple “perkiness”. This procedure isn’t a surgery – rather, it involves a simple filler injection. While these results are immediate, since it is not a surgical procedure results last around a year.
Who is an Ideal Candidate for Nipple Correction Surgery?
Anyone struggling with their nipples is a candidate for nipple correction surgery. For women, it is recommended that you wait until after having and breastfeeding children to undergo any nipple procedures, as pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect nipple size after surgery. Additionally, it’s recommended that you be within your ideal weight, as significant weight gain/loss can affect your surgery results. Discussing your plans with a cosmetic surgeon is the best way to determine whether you are an ideal candidate for nipple correction surgery.
Can Nipple Correction Be Paired With Breast Surgeries?
Absolutely! In fact, pairing nipple correction with breast lifts or augmentations is one of the most common ways that nipple correction surgery is done. If you are considering a breast augmentation or lift in addition to nipple correction, it’s strongly recommended you pair both together to optimize results and avoid undergoing surgery twice. This is especially popular with our “Mommy Makeover” packages.
What are the Risks and Benefits of Nipple Correction Surgery?
The risks of nipple correction surgeries include lost nipple sensation due to potential nerve damage. These side effects can either be temporary or long-lasting. Additionally, there is a small chance that any kind of direct nipple surgery can affect lactation and breastfeeding. It is important to discuss potential risks with your cosmetic surgeon before undergoing any type of cosmetic surgery.
As for the benefits, patients report improved self-esteem and confidence as the two best benefits. If you’re considering nipple correction surgery, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’d love to help you begin your journey and provide you with the best version of yourself you can be!
Schedule Your Nipple Correction Surgery Today!
It’s time to consider nipple correction surgery, an effective solution for your aesthetic and functional needs! Meet us at 19500 Sandridge Way, Suite 350, Leesburg, VA 20176, or call us at (703) 574-4342 for a complimentary consultation with Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Phillip Chang before proceeding with your nipple surgery treatment plan. If all the conditions are met, our team will help you navigate the entire process from beginning to end. Also, remember to check out our resources page and social media for more information on cosmetic surgery trends!
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