Nipple surgery in Paris 16

Invaginated nipples

An invaginated nipple is an anomaly resulting from the retraction of the milk ducts or mammary gland which ‘draw’ the nipple towards the inside of the breast, so that the nipple is positioned towards the inside rather than the outside of the breast.

This invagination may appear at birth or during adolescence, after pregnancy, breast-feeding, breast surgery or other breast pathologies. The retracted appearance of the nipple can be unsightly and lead to asymmetry, which can be a source of embarrassment for the patient.

This benign anomaly can be corrected quickly and painlessly, under local anaesthetic.

Invaginated nipple surgery in Paris 16

What does invaginated nipple surgery involve?

Whatever the cause of the nipple invagination, the retracted appearance of the invaginated nipple can be unsightly and make the patient feel uncomfortable. This anomaly may be expressed in varying degrees. The nipple may be retractile (flattened but capable of protruding outwards in the event of physical or carnal stimulation), or completely invaginated.

In most cases, an invaginated nipple also has functional consequences (difficulty or even impossibility of breastfeeding, recurrent inflammations linked to the stagnation of secretions).

The aim of the operation is to make the invaginated nipple stand out sufficiently so that it retains a cosmetic appearance and is symmetrical with the contralateral nipple.

To achieve this, a tiny incision (less than 1cm) is made around the nipple at the areolar margin, the fibrous tissue that retracts the nipple at the base is sectioned to free the nipple and existing tissue is used to project the nipple.

Next, two flaps are taken from the areola, between the nipple and the mammary gland, to prevent recurrence through reconnection between the milk ducts.

Finally, the base of the nipple is tightened to ensure that the nipple projects outwards.

The scar is generally practically invisible after a few months. No sutures need to be removed as they are absorbable.

When the invagination is slight, it is possible to extend the milk ducts to allow them to regain their functionality and thus enable future breastfeeding. The sensitivity of the nipple and areola is generally preserved.

The operation is carried out very quickly (between 30 and 50 minutes) under local anaesthetic +/- sedation on an outpatient basis. Correction of an invaginated nipple can be carried out at the same time as breast augmentation by prosthesis and/or injection of the patient’s own fat, or other cosmetic surgery procedures in general.

Aesthetic medicine (using hyaluronic acid or traction) is completely ineffective for permanently correcting an invaginated nipple, as only sectioning the milk ducts can correct the invagination, as their retraction is the primary cause.

How do I prepare for invaginated nipple surgery?

One or two consultations are necessary to define a surgical plan with Dr Azuelos, who will analyse your case, advise you and answer any questions you may have about the operation.

The consultation is a privileged opportunity to discuss the problems encountered by the patient and to understand her expectations in terms of results.

The consultation also provides an opportunity to analyse the patient’s body to ensure that the procedure is indicated for her specific case, and also to make sure that the patient has no contraindications to the procedure.

Finally, the consultation provides an opportunity to explain the precise procedure to the patient, and to take photographs (pre-operative and post-operative), which will be used to simulate the results of the operation in order to meet the patient’s expectations as closely as possible, as well as to assess the results of the procedure to correct invaginated nipples.

A mammogram is required before any breast operation.

Smoking must be stopped for at least a month before and after the operation to limit the risk of complications and to ensure optimal healing. It is also necessary to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin and anticoagulants, a fortnight before the operation.

After invaginated nipple surgery

The patient can go out immediately after the operation and resume work and everyday activities. Intense sporting activities can only be resumed after a two-week suspension.

The result of the invaginated nipple correction procedure is immediate: the nipple has emerged. Post-operative pain was slight and short-lived. A special dressing is applied to isolate the nipple and prevent it from being compressed in a bra. This must be maintained for 12 to 14 days.

The scars are washed daily by the patient and/or a qualified nurse. Scars fade rapidly.

Showering is permitted from the day after the operation, but bathing is not recommended for 1 month. The sutures are absorbable, so no visible sutures need to be removed. One or two post-operative check-ups are planned. This operation in no way prevents pregnancy.

Invaginated nipple surgery in Paris 16 & Paris 7

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible for an invaginated nipple to recur after the operation?

It is possible for nipple invagination to recur, but this is very rare when the procedure is perfectly followed and controlled by the surgeon.

When should invaginated nipples be corrected?

All women with invaginated nipples who are in good health can benefit from this operation. For young women, it is advisable to wait until the end of breast growth before undergoing the operation.

Are the scars from this operation visible?

The scars following the correction of an invaginated nipple are very discreet in that they are very small and concealed at the base of the nipple.

When is pregnancy possible after the operation?

It is advisable to wait about a year before becoming pregnant following the correction of invaginated nipples.

When can the result of the invaginated nipple correction operation be assessed?

The result of inverted nipple correction is immediate, but the result is definitive 1 month after the operation.

Can surgery to correct inverted nipples prevent breastfeeding?

Very often, women with invaginated nipples who are candidates for surgery cannot breastfeed because the invagination often prevents breastfeeding. Correcting them (rarely) allows patients to breastfeed, but in the vast majority of cases the situation is not changed by the operation and breastfeeding is affected.

Can nipple invagination be corrected during another breast operation?

The cure of invaginated nipples can be carried out at the same time as any other breast operation, whether cosmetic breast surgery (breast augmentation with breast implants or lipofilling, breast lift with or without prosthesis, breast reduction, etc.) or reconstructive breast surgery (breast malformation, tuberous breasts, asymmetry, breast reconstruction after breast cancer, etc.).

How is invaginated nipple surgery covered?

The procedure is automatically covered by social security.

Aesthetic Surgery Paris 7 and Massy

Dr Azuelos on the networks

Here are a few photos of the results obtained thanks to the various surgical procedures or acts of aesthetic and regenerative medicine. As each patient is unique, the final result differs from one patient to the next. These photos are purely for information purposes and illustrate the possible results.

👂🏻L’otoplastie est la chirurgie esthétiqu