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Treatment of an Inverted Left Nipple in a Middle-Aged Woman
Having an inverted nipple can be quite emotionally stressful for a woman and this is true of virtually all ages, from teenagers on up to the fifties and older. This fairly common anatomic variant can lead to a loss of self-esteem, confidence and feelings of sexual attractiveness and femininity – and even to depression. As a consequence of these issues, it can also adversely impact one’s sex life.
Fortunately, the treatment of inverted nipples is generally simple (don’t try this at home, though!), straightforward, predictable, “low” risk and associated with little discomfort. In fact, it is performed in my office using just local anesthesia. Typically, you could return to work or school the very next day.
Aspirin and other blood thinners such as ibuprofen, Advil, and Motrin should be avoided starting from at 10 days prior to the procedure until at least 1 week postoperatively. Smoking should be stopped for an even longer period of time, preferably several weeks or more prior to surgery.
The reason?
Smoking can be very detrimental to the healing and blood supply of the tissue – causing the blood vessels to shrink in size, thereby reducing the blood supply which contains the necessary oxygen and nutrients for the tissues. In the worst case scenario, smoking can lead to a partial or even total loss of the nipple. In other words, it turns black and dies.
Not good!
The following patient of mine has been bothered for years by her inverted left nipple (Fig. A, C and E). She finally decided to pursue plastic surgery correction of it which was performed in my office using just some local anesthesia.
A) Inverted left nipple before surgery
B) After surgical treatment of inverted left nipple
C) Before correction of inverted nipple
D) After correction of inverted nipple
E) Inverted nipple – side view
F) After treatment inverted nipple
As you might expect, she was extremely happy with the dramatic results (Fig. B, D and F).
For more information on the treatment of inverted nipples or regarding any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform, please call my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona