You are very self-conscious about your breasts for two quite understandable reasons.
They are small AND you have inverted nipples.
You know that a breast augmentation will enlarge your breasts, making you feel more attractive, sexy, confident and sociable as well as improve your self-esteem.Several of your friends have had this procedure done and have raved about these positive effects so you know all this.
What about your inverted nipples? Small breasts are enough of a problem but you are so unlucky to have to deal with this issue as well. What can you do?
Fortunately, the treatment of inverted nipples is fairly simple, straightforward and predictable (as long as you are being treated by a knowledgeable and skilled plastic surgeon!). Virtually all of the time, I perform this procedure in the office under local anesthesia. There is minimal to no discomfort postoperatively and essentially no down time.
However, since you are planning to undergo a breast augmentation, can you and should you have both procedures at the same time?
To answer the first question, yes you can have your inverted nipples treated while undergoing a breast enlargement. It is safe and the success rate is probably identical to when it is performed as a stand-alone procedure as long as a few simple precautions are taken.
With regard to whether or not you should perform both procedures at the same surgical setting, the answer is not exactly straightforward. Factors which can affect this decision include financial considerations, comfort level, convenience issues of one versus two surgical settings and the total time of limitation of certain activities. Generally, the cost to do both procedures together under general anesthesia at an outpatient center with an anesthesiologist is significantly more than just doing the breast augmentation alone that way and then treating the inverted nipples in the office under local anesthesia? This extra cost must be weighed against the other factors of comfort and convenience in order to determine the best approach for you.
That is your decision.
The following 28 year old patient of mine is a representative example of a woman who had both issues – small breasts and inverted nipples (photos A, C and E). Her decision was to have both procedures performed at the same time which was done without any problems. Surgery entailed the placement of high profile smooth surfaced silicone implants in submuscular pockets and release of the inverted nipples on both sides (photos B, D and F).
A. 28 year old woman with small breasts and inverted nipples
B. After breast augmentation and release of inverted nipples
C. before
D. after
E. before
F. after
She was extremely happy with the outcome and the ability to address both problems successfully in just one surgical setting.
If you are interested in scheduling a consultation for a breast enlargement, treatment of inverted nipples or for 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