Nipple Reduction Surgery

Nipple reduction surgery is the procedure to shorten the length of the nipples themselves. Having long nipples can be a consequence of breast feeding your children or a genetic predisposition. They can be very obvious in tight fitting shirts or thing, Lycra bras and may be considered an embarrassment by some women. Some nipples may be so long that they may point downward due to gravity or even be cumbersome.

Women with smaller breasts, smaller areola complexes (small diameter of the colored part which surrounds the nipple itself) and those who regularly breast feed their children can opt for a procedure to reduce the projection of the nipple by surgical means.

This surgery can be carried out under local anesthesia or local and an oral sedative in-office. The reduction procedure can either be performed by removing a disc of tissue from the center point of the over-projecting nipple or simply be excising a segment from the end of the nipple. Either way, sensation is usually regained after healing and the procedure.

Before & After Examples

patient underwent bilateral augmentation mammoplasty with nipple reduction

THE TYPICAL PATIENT

  • Desire for smaller, more natural and youthful appearing nipples.

THE PROCEDURE

  • Anesthesia is local, and the procedure is done in the office and very comfortable.

  • The incision is very inconspicuous located only on the nipple.

  • The procedure involves small incisions to remove the excess of nipple. Sensation and ability to breast feed can be maintained.

  • Dressings are light and worn for only several days.

  • This can be combined with other plastic surgical procedures.

THE RECOVERY

  • You can go home and resume normal activities immediately.

  • You can shower on the next day after surgery.

  • There is only minimal pain that is mostly gone by the next day and usually does not require any medications.

  • Swelling is mild to moderate and peaks a two to three days then disappears rapidly over the next three weeks.

  • Minimal or no bruising is the usual.

  • The stitches are removed at seven days.

  • There is usually no need to be off work.

THE RESULT

  • Beautiful, balanced and proportioned result and contour.

  • More confident and comfortable in clothing, especially snug dresses.

  • Lasts the rest of your life and always looks better than if you didn't do it.

  • Natural and presentable appearance almost immediately that just continues to get better.

Credit: Dr. James Romano, San Francisco, California Board Certified Plastic Surgeon