Nipple Reduction

For women with overly large nipple-areolar complexes, aesthetic and even hygienic issues may be of serious concern—not to mention feeling awkward in intimate situations, and even fearing cold rooms.

If this describes your relationship with your nipples, Dr. Shapiro's nipple reduction surgery may be an excellent choice. The procedure is incredibly fast and easy, and can be performed under local anesthetic in his office in about 1-2 hours. Recovery time is very short and results are overwhelmingly satisfying.

Nipple Reduction Surgery

There are two ways that the nipple-areolar complex may be reduced. The first is the nipple itself, whether the nib is too wide or too long. Or, it may be that the areola, the darker pigmented skin around the nipple, may be too large or puffy. You may have one or both reduced during your procedure.

In the case of nipple reduction, either the width, length, or both may need reducing. In the case of length, Dr. Shapiro will remove part of the tip of the nipple, then suture the skin inward. To reduce the width, he will reduce the circumference underneath the skin, then suture it closed. Both issues are easily resolved at the same time.

Reducing the circumference of the areola is also simple. A circular incision is made around the outside of the areola, then Dr. Shapiro removes an even circle of the pigmented skin. The scar around the areola will eventually appear very faint, if any scar is visible at all.

Inverted Nipple Repair Surgery

There are three degrees of inverted nipples, each determining how inverted the nipple is and how likely a woman's future ability to breastfeed is. The first degree of inversion is alternatively referred to as “shy,” and can “come out” by cold or stimulation. In this case, the milk ducts of the nipple have not been harmed and will be easily preserved during surgery. Second degree inverted nipples are more difficult to evert, may be everted upon stimulation, but often do not stay out on their own. In this case, there may have been damage to the milks ducts, but breastfeeding in the future is surely possible. Third degree inverted nipples do not come out, no matter what. This degree is often where hygiene will become a problem. The milk ducts are restrained by fibrous tissues beneath the skin.

Using very small incisions, Dr. Shapiro will free the nipple from the fibrous tissue holding it in. Internal sutures are used to keep it from inverting again, while an external “purse string” suture is often used to give the nipple something to rest on while it heals into place. The procedure is quick and easy. It can be performed under local anesthetic in Dr. Shapiro's office.

Nipple Surgery Recovery

Whether you have a nipple, areolar, or inverted nipple repair surgery, your recovery is going to be fast and relatively painless. Dr. Shapiro may prescribe a pain medication, but most often this is not necessary.