Breast Nipple Surgery In Pitsford Hill

Your first consultation with a surgeon should clearly set out your expectations and the likely outcome of any procedure that you undertake. Make sure that your surgeon gives you all the information that you require so that you are sure that they can carry out the procedure to improve your nipple size or shape in the way that you want.

A medical history should also be taken to make sure that there are no reasons why you shouldn’t have an operation. You would normally be asked to sign a consent form, which means that you have understood the potential benefits and risks associated with breast nipple surgery.

Photographs may also be taken by the practitioner, as a “before and after” comparison at a later date.

The surgeon may wish to write to your GP giving details of the operation so that if there are any problems associated with surgery in the short- or long-term, the GP is aware of the procedure and can help you recover.

Anaesthesia

Breast nipple procedures are normally performed using a local anaesthetic to numb the breast tissue. You would also usually be given a sedative to make you drowsy, so that you remain awake but feel very little discomfort during the operation.

The operation

There are two procedures used in women which may take around 1 or 2 hours to perform:

Inverted nipple correction with partial preservation of milk ducts (in women):

An incision will be made just around the base of the nipple on the areola. The nipple and areola tissue is lifted from (but still connected to) the breast and stitched into a new, projecting shape. This makes the nipple stick out more. As the scar is in the shape of a circle, the tighter skin around the nipple will actually cause the nipple to stick out more as the skin will now "pull" a little. Medicated gauze is then applied to the stitched area.

Inverted nipple correction with detached milk ducts:

This procedure is much more common and may be necessary in more difficult cases but it does not preserve the milk ducts fully. An incision is made at the nipple base, and the shortened milk ducts are detached. This allows the nipple to stick out naturally. The incision is then cleaned, stitched and medicated gauze is applied to the wound.

Your nipples will feel sore and will be swollen for several days following this procedure.

As with all operations, there is always a possibility of side effects or complications. Risks can include infection, a reaction to the anaesthetic, nerve damage, scars (although these are usually not very visible) and the need for second or sometimes third procedures and the occurrence of lop-sided breasts or nipples afterwards.

The ability to breastfeed cannot be guaranteed after any surgery to correct inverted nipples. Be sure to ask your surgeon about all the risks associated with the procedure before you make any decision.

There are few medical reasons why you can’t undergo breast nipple procedures as long as you are in good general health and have realistic treatment expectations.

If you have experienced healing problems with any past surgical treatments or if you are prone to keloid (red, angry, raised) scars, your surgeon may not recommend this procedure or may caution you that scars could be raised and very visible.

Although unlikely, you may be able to access some breast nipple procedures free of charge on the National Health Service.

Depending on your circumstances certain regions do make special cases and we would always recommend that you visit your General Practitioner before embarking upon any cosmetic surgery procedure.

As well as their advice and guidance they may also be able to refer you to a local NHS Hospital who can treat you.

The NHS has set out the following guidelines on how to get cosmetic surgery through the NHS:

"To qualify for surgery on the NHS you must meet specific criteria as set out by your local health authority. The NHS will not pay for surgery for cosmetic reasons alone. Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery to correct, or improve, congenital abnormalities and injuries will usually be carried out free of charge.

NHS reconstructive surgery is performed by plastic surgeons who have had extensive training and belong to the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Surgeons who carry out cosmetic surgery through the NHS also belong to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.

To receive cosmetic surgery from the NHS, you will normally need a referral from your GP. You will have a consultation with a plastic surgeon and an assessment by a psychiatrist, or psychologist. It will then be decided whether there is enough social, psychological, or physical benefit to be gained to justify surgery."

There are a number of different cosmetic procedures available to help both increase or decrease the size of the nipple and areola area of the breast.

Some of these are for reconstructive purposes following a mastectomy, and require the skill of an experienced breast surgeon. Other procedures, such as nipple shortening, are more straightforward.

Whatever cosmetic nipple procedure you are looking for, and whether you are male or female, it is important to ensure that the surgeon undertaking the operation has experience in the particular procedure that you may require.