Email us your question today!
Nipple Inversion | Enlargement | Montreal
Nipple Inversion...
What are inverted nipples?
Inverted nipples are a common occurrence among women, and can be the source of both physical issues as well as self consciousness. Inverted nipples may be present in 10% of women. There are widely varying degrees of nipple inversion; inverted nipples are divided into three levels of severity. Stage I inverted nipples may be inverted at rest, but the nipples will become projected with cold or stimulation. Stage II inverted nipples are inverted at rest, and can be everted or projected physically with manual traction. Stage III inverted nipples are always inverted, and never come out. Inverted nipples may affect one nipple (unilateral nipple inversion) or both nipples (bilateral nipple inversion). The degree of inverted nipples may be the same on both sides (symmetric nipple inversion) commonly differs from one side to the other (asymmetric nipple inversion).
Most often, inverted nipples are familial or congenital. The inverted nipples are caused by a shortened, thickened lactiferous duct (milk duct).
Treatment of Inverted Nipples
Occasionally, inverted nipples can be corrected by nonsurgical means. Anything that promotes traction on the nipples may bring them out; nursing a baby is of course the most natural method. The creation of the vacuum effect by a suckling infant may bring out the inverted nipples. Similarly, a device that creates suction or negative pressure, called a NipletteTM, has been shown to successfully correct inverted nipples in selected cases. The more mild the inverted nipples are, the more likely they are to respond to nonsurgical methods.
The varieties of surgery for inverted nipples are numerous. Historically, incisions have be made on the nipple area or areola, creating flaps of tissue to correct inverted nipples, or the areola has been opened and the nipple inversion corrected with tissue division and internal suturing. More recently, minimally invasive and virtually scarless procedures for the correction of inverted nipples have been described. The techniques that most reliably fix inverted nipples involve the division of the main lactiferous duct, or milk duct.
Plastic surgery for inverted nipples is most often performed under local anesthesia. Compression should be avoided for one week.
What are the risks of inverted nipple surgery?
Inverted nipple surgery most often requires division of the milk duct. Inability to breast feed is the most pressing and ponderous consideration when deciding whether or not to undergo surgery to correct inverted nipples. Although there are rare reports of breastfeeding after inverted nipple corrective surgery, it must be assumed that you will not be able to do so should you choose to undergo inverted nipple surgery that divides the ducts. The other potential downside of inverted nipple correction is the possibility of recurrence. In this scenario, which may occur in up to 25% of inverted nipple corrections, the solution is most often a very simple revision surgery performed under local anesthesia.
Nipple Enlargement...
What is nipple enlargement?
Nipple enlargement is also knwon as nipple hypertrophy and results from developmental enlargement of the lactiferous ductal tissue of the breast. It may present in men and women and is found more often in people of Asian descent. The enlarged nipple may have many shapes including lenght elongation, prominance, or merely have a very wide diameter. Enlargement of the nipple rarely causes symptoms. Affected patients primarily complain of its visibility through clothes and displeasing appearance. Correction is performed for appearance.
Treatment of Nipple Enlargement
Nonsurgical treatments for nipple enlargement are ineffective. Nipple reduction surgery is a simple procedure that can be done under local anesthesia in the office. Once injected, the procedure is painless and performed in less than one hour. Small incisions are made right on the nipple and the excess nipple tissue removed. Nipple reduction can also combined with other breast procedures such as breast augmentation, breast reduction, or breast lifts. Several techniques exist. Dr Chen Lee uses the shape and length of the nipple, degree nipple prominance, and the patient's desire to breast feed in the future to recommend the specific technique. Methods that transect the lactiferous ducts are highly effective and aesthetically pleasing. However, future breast feeding may not be possible. For patients wishing to breast feed in the future, duct preservation can be maintained with circumferential removal of a strip of skin around the neck of the nipple. Nipple reduction is more modest however duct continuity increases the likelihood that breast feeding will be preserved. Nipple sensation is not altered with either technique.
What to expect following of nipple reduction?
Nipple reduction is a simple procedure with few risks. One can return to work or any other physical activity the same day. Showering and wetting the nipples are permitted 5 days after surgery. You will have nipple sensitivity. Swelling or bruising are minimal.Am I a good candidate to have nipple surgery?...
Dr Chen Lee is a board certified plastic surgeon. He will perform a complete evalulation to determine if you are a candidate for corrective nipple surgery. For many women, a simple, comfortable procedure is an incredibly effective solution to the physical and emotional impact of problem nipples.
Call 514-932-7667 or message us at montrealcosmeticsurgery@gmail.com to learn more!