Nipple & Areola Surgery Sydney

Inverted Nipples

There are different degrees or grades of nipple inversion possible. The nipples can be inverted intermittently or constantly and can vary from being simply flat to a slit like depression. For women, this can at times mean difficulty with breastfeeding. The surgery required to address inverted nipples depends on the severity of the problem. Any scars are very small and concealed within the nipple areola region.

Mild Inversion

The nipples are intermittently inverted but can evert in response to temperature or stimulation. With mild inversion the potential to breastfeed is generally not affected following surgery.

Moderate Inversion

The nipples are constantly inverted and if they do evert, return almost immediately. The potential to breastfeed following this type of surgery can be reduced as surgery often affects the milk ducts.

Severe Inversion

The nipples are severely inverted and by no means evert. Breastfeeding is typically not possible following reconstructive surgery as milk ducts are in most cases divided to achieve the correction.

Enlarged Nipples

Women may have nipples that become long, dark or sometimes wide in girth. This can be a result of prolonged breastfeeding or part of the normal development of the breast. With surgery, nipples can be reduced in length and/or girth.

Length

To adjust length, a circumferential excision of skin around the nipple is removed. The deeper structures including milk ducts and nerves are left intact. The nipple is then sutured to its shorter, predetermined length.

Girth

A number of surgical techniques can be utilised to adjust the nipple girth.

Enlarged Areolars

The pigmented area around the nipples is also known as the areola. In some people, the circumference of the areola can be very large. Although there are no functional concerns, people may seek surgical intervention for aesthetic purposes.
The required amount of pigmented area is removed by one of three methods:

• An incision can be made around the outside of the areola – most common.
• Around the base of the nipple – uncommon.
• In severe cases a lollipop incision is required – this is usually associated with a Breast Lift (Mastopexy).

Puffy Areolars

This is where the breast tissue appears to ‘herniate’ into the areola. This is caused by a number of factors – but ultimately it causes the areola to appear “cone shaped”. The appearance can change when the nipple is stimulated or with a cold temperature change but will revert back once the areola ‘relaxes’. The surgery required to address this will depend on the severity of the issue. However, it will likely include an incision made around the outside of the pigmented area or around the nipple.