Inverted Nipple Correction In Chicago, IL
* Individual results may vary.
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At Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we have helped numerous men and women who are in need of a skilled plastic surgeon to perform their inverted nipple procedure in Chicago.
Introduction to Inverted Nipple Repair
It is estimated that 10–20% of women have some degree of nipple inversion where the nipple is pulled inward rather than protruding outward. While most common in women, men can also be affected by this condition.
The severity of inversion can be rated on a 3-point scale.
- Level 1: Minor degree of inversion. Protrusion occurs with external stimulation or exposure to cold temperatures.
- Level 2: Moderate degree of inversion. The nipples remain inverted at all times but can be protruded without surgical intervention or significant resistance.
- Level 3: Severe degree of inversion. The nipples are inverted at all times and require surgical intervention to obtain protrusion.
While some people have inverted nipples since birth, others may develop them over time due to breastfeeding or surgery. The degree of inversion can vary between patients resulting in differing degrees of distress among those with nipple inversion. Dr. Casas is an inverted nipple repair specialist in Chicago with over 30 years of experience providing patients with life-changing results.
Causes of Inverted Nipples
Nipple inversion or nipple retraction can have many different causes, some of which include:
- Congenital. Patients may experience nipple inversion from birth for a variety of different reasons. This form is usually not concerning.
- Breast development. During fetal breast development, the milk ducts may not sufficiently form resulting in a flat or inverted appearance.
- Breast injuries. Scarring after breast surgery or trauma can result in changes to the nipples.
- Infections. The invasion of bacteria into the milk ducts or surrounding tissue can cause the nipples to become flat and inverted.
- Age-related changes. Shortening of the milk ducts during menopause can the nipples to lay flat or become inverted.
- Breastfeeding. The nipples may become flattened or inverted as the breasts fill with milk.
- Paget’s disease of the breast. This rare type of breast cancer can produce eczema-like skin changes, inflammation, and flattening or retraction of the nipple.
- Breast cancer. The invasion of the milk ducts by benign or malignant tumors can result in the development of an inverted nipple.
In situations where the nipples have been inverted since birth, there is little reason to be concerned. However, if the your nipples begin to flatten or invert later in life or affect only one breast, inform your doctor and have it evaluated to rule out serious conditions.
Candidates For Inverted Nipple Surgery
Nipple correction candidates are men or women who feel that their nipples are too large or feel that their nipples are flat and inverted. During your initial consultation, Dr. Casas will review your options to alter the appearance of your nipples.
Often times after childbirth and nursing nipples become long and are difficult to conceal under normal clothing. The nipple projection can be reduced through an incision around the nipple that removes nipple skin. The nipple can then be pushed in and sutured in a less projecting position so that once healed the nipple is less obvious through normal clothes. The ability to nurse (breast feed) can be preserved using this method.
What To Expect From Your Inverted Nipple Procedure
Dr. Casas performs this procedure under local anesthesia and you can expect to resume normal activity that day while protecting the nipple incisions for 2-4 weeks.
This procedure may be performed in the Operating Room or as an In-Office Procedure, depending on the individual and degree of complexity. In many cases, it is a simple in-office procedure with no need for general anesthesia. At the initial consultation, Dr. Casas will be able to determine what options exist on an individual basis. We invite you to come in and explore your options!
Recovery Process after Inverted Nipple Correction in Chicago
Immediately following an inverted nipple surgery, patients will experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the surgical site. This will gradually improve over the first week after surgery with many patients being able to return to a semi-normal activity level one to two weeks post-operatively.
Depending on your level of work, many patients are able to return to work within a week of having this procedure. A full recovery from the procedure should be expected around six months post-operative.
The Expertise Of Dr. Casas
10% of women have inverted nipples. Dr. Casas wrote an article titled “Aesthetic and Predictable Correction of the Inverted Nipple” (Aesthetic Surg J 2003;23:353-6) which describes her technique to correct nipples that will not become erect. This procedure is typically done to correct severely inverted nipples. Usually under general anesthesia, a small incision is made along the areola and Dr. Casas releases the fibers that tether the nipple preventing it from becoming erect. The inside of the nipple is sutured together so that the nipple remains erect. The areola incision is closed and the patient wears a protective pad over the incision protecting the nipple for a few months. Normal activity is resumed in a few days.
The Cost Of Nipple Reduction Surgery
Dr. Casas can let you know what the cost of your nipple reduction surgery in Chicago will be during your consultation at Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Price will be based on the techniques used, the extent of the work required, and other factors.
Schedule A Consultation
Contact Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation for your inverted nipple procedure in Chicago. Dr. Casas is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is committed to providing our patients with the outstanding surgical care they need.
Nipple Reduction Patient Testimonial
The Best There Is
I’ve always been insecure about my inverted nipples. I spent 30 years not knowing that they could be corrected. I did some research and found that Dr. Casas provided a procedure to correct them. I was nervous, but Dr. Casas and her staff were incredible. They make you feel comfortable and are easy to communicate with and schedule. Dr. Casas did a beautiful job with surgery and I am now a year out from having them corrected. I cannot recommend Dr. Casas enough. I plan to go back to her should I decide to have any other cosmetic work done. This is how all doctors offices should be. Friendly, easy to get a hold of, flexible scheduling, great communication, comfortable setting, and a real sense of care. 10/10 will use again!
Most stress-free procedure and incredible aftercare
Dr. Casas was incredible. I had the most stress-free procedure and incredible aftercare. I am completely satisfied with my results and can only thank Dr. Casas and her amazing staff. I could not recommend her enough!
The surgery was completed successfully
I recently had an inverted nipple surgery with Dr. Laurie Casas. She was so great in helping me understand the procedure and recovery requirements. The surgery was completed successfully and I’ve had multiple follow up appointments with Dr. Casas to ensure everything is healing appropriately. Dr. Casas and her team are professional and have made me feel comfortable at each visit.
Inverted Nipple Procedure Frequently Asked Questions
- Breastfeeding becomes easier - When the nipple is inverted, the baby will have difficulty sucking because the inverted nipple will not be able to reach the soft palate in the baby’s mouth, which triggers the sucking. When the inverted nipple is corrected, it extends, making it easier for the baby to suck.
- Your self-confidence can be restored - Having an inverted nipple can cause a woman to feel uncomfortable during intimate moments. Having the inverted nipple repaired allows the woman’s self-confidence to return.
- Decreased health issues - With the nipple retracted, there is an increased chance of bacteria getting trapped and causing possible reactions. When the inverted nipple is repaired, there is less risk of infection, and the overall risk of health issues will be decreased.
- Stage I - At this stage, the nipples are inverted while resting, but protrude once stimulated
- Stage II - The inverted nipples at this stage invert while resting but can be manually everted with traction.
- Stage III - These inverted nipples remain inverted and are unable to protrude on their own or through manual manipulation. Inverted nipples at Stage III may involve unilateral nipple inversion or bilateral nipple inversion. The amount of nipple inversion may be symmetrical or asymmetrical for both nipples.
