An estimated 10% of women deal with an inverted nipple in one or both nipples. That means 1 in 10 women have a flat or inverted nipple which doesn’t respond to changes in temperature or stimulation. In some cases, women have an inverted nipple part of the time while others have a more permanent issue. This can lead to difficulty with breastfeeding, feeling embarrassed during intimacy, and can even lead to hygiene issues in severe cases. But there is help.
Dr. Jaime Schwartz is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. His extensive surgical and medical background makes him a leading expert and one of the top surgeons in this country. His patient first approach allows him to understand and offer the latest cosmetic technology solutions to help his patients overcome any issues, including inverted nipples. Women and men who are dealing with flat or inverted nipples can turn to him for a surgical solution to correct this problem. Below is some information on inverted nipple correction and what Dr. Schwartz can do for you.
INVERTED OR FLAT NIPPLES
Even though less common for men, inverted or flat nipples can affect anyone with breasts. There are varying degrees to this condition, but in most cases, an individual’s nipple is unresponsive to stimulation or cold changes in temperature and doesn’t become erect. Some individuals may only experience this condition in one nipple while others deal with it in both nipples.
THE MAIN CAUSE
Beverly Hills-area patients dealing with this condition basically have an anatomical issue with their breasts. The most common cause is due to breast ducts and other connective tissues being too short, causing the nipple to be pulled inward. The fault in the breast structure doesn’t allow the nipple to project out which in turn makes it be inverted. This can cause not only physical distress, especially for women who want to breastfeed, but is an emotional factor as well.
THERE ARE DEGREES OF SEVERITY
After a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Schwartz, it can be determined to what degree of severity the nipple inversion is in order to determine the best course of action. Nipple inversion is decided by varying degrees of Grade 1 to Grade 3 being the most severe. Some patients with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 diagnosis can try using a suction cup to manually pull out the nipple leaving it to stay erect for varying lengths of time. Those with a Grade 3 severity means the nipple is impossible to pull out for any length of time so it is permanently inverted. A Grade 3 severity automatically requires surgery but lesser degrees of inversion can be repaired with corrective surgery.
NIPPLE CORRECTION SURGERY
Individuals that are unhappy or concerned about their inverted nipples can benefit from inverted nipple correction surgery. Dr. Schwartz performs his Signature Inverted Nipple Correction which involves a micro-incision at the base of the nipple in order to access the ducts and tissues in order to release the taunt nature allowing the nipple to release outward. Once released, he will close off the incision leaving the nipple out while it heals. This procedure usually takes less than an hour and would be done under his specialized Schwartz Rapid Recuperation™ which is a local anesthesia allowing patients to stay awake during the procedure without any discomfort.
NIPPLE CORRECTION RECOVERY
Most patients can return to work the next day and typically take an over the counter pain medication like Advil or Tylenol. Protective nipple covers will be given to wear under a bra or clothing for at least 2 weeks to allow for proper healing. Dissolvable sutures will be used but a follow up appointment two weeks post-op will be needed to check on the healing process.
Most patients who seek to correct this problem are wanting to resolve this cosmetic issue but also regain nipple stimulation. It is also a factor for women who are wanting to breastfeed. The common treatment for inverted nipples used to be breast surgery to remove the ducts pulling the nipple inward but this came with certain risks. Breast tissue could be damaged during the procedure further preventing a woman from breastfeeding. Today’s surgical advancements, plus techniques like the one Dr. Schwartz developed, minimizes the surgical component in order to lessen the risks and recovery time.
Renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Jaime Schwartz and his Signature Inverted Nipple Correction technique can help both men and women who are faced with this issue. A less invasive approach, his technique along with his signature recovery method of Rapid Recuperation™ allows patients to comfortably change this aspect about their body with a quick recovery. You no longer have to live with an inverted nipple and can have it corrected by a qualified, plastic surgeon like Dr. Schwartz. We invite you to call or schedule a nipple correction consultation at his Beverly Hills office today.
