Inverted Nipple Correction Chicago, IL

Introduction to Inverted Nipple Correction

At Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we have helped numerous men and women who are in need of a skilled plastic surgeon to perform their inverted nipple procedure in Chicago.

14 months post-op Inverted Nipple Surgery

July 26, 2024
“Did a beautiful job with surgery. I’ve always been insecure about my inverted nipples. I spent 30 years not knowing that they could be corrected. I did some research and found that Dr. Casas provided a procedure to correct them. I was nervous, but Dr. Casas and her staff were incredible. They make you feel comfortable and are easy to communicate with and schedule. Dr. Casas did a beautiful job with surgery, and I am now a year out from having them corrected. I cannot recommend Dr. Casas enough. I plan to go back to her should I decide to have any other cosmetic work done. This is how all doctors’ offices should be. Friendly, easy to get a hold of, flexible scheduling, great communication, comfortable setting, and a real sense of care. 10/10 will use again!” – Realself Review

It is estimated that 10–20% of women have some degree of nipple inversion, where the nipple is pulled inward rather than protruding outward. While most common in women, men can also be affected by this condition.

The severity of inversion can be rated on a 3-point scale. 

  • Level 1: Minor degree of inversion. Protrusion occurs with external stimulation or exposure to cold temperatures.
  • Level 2: Moderate degree of inversion. The nipples remain inverted at all times but can be protruded without surgical intervention or significant resistance.
  • Level 3: Severe degree of inversion. The nipples are inverted at all times and require surgical intervention to obtain protrusion. 

 

While some people have inverted nipples since birth, others may develop them over time due to breastfeeding or surgery. The degree of inversion can vary between patients, resulting in differing degrees of distress among those with nipple inversion. Dr. Casas is an inverted-nipple repair specialist in Chicago with over 30 years of experience delivering life-changing results.

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What is Inverted Nipple Correction?

Inverted nipple correction is a procedure that gently releases and repositions the structures that are pulling the nipple inward, allowing it to project outward in a more natural position. While the condition itself can vary in severity, the underlying cause is often related to shortened milk ducts or fibrous tissue that tethers the nipple beneath the surface. The goal of correction is not simply to “pull” the nipple outward, but to address these internal constraints in a way that allows for lasting, stable projection.

Causes Of Inverted Nipples

Nipple inversion or nipple retraction can have many different causes, some of which include:

Congenital

Patients may experience nipple inversion from birth for a variety of different reasons. This form is usually not concerning.

Breast development

During fetal development, the milk ducts may not form sufficiently, resulting in a flat or inverted appearance.

Breast injuries

Scarring after breast surgery or trauma can result in changes to the nipples.

Infections

The invasion of bacteria into the milk ducts or surrounding tissues can cause the nipples to flatten and invert.

Age-related changes

Shortening of the milk ducts during menopause can cause the nipples to lie flat or become inverted.

Breastfeeding

The nipples may flatten or invert as the breasts fill with milk.

Paget’s disease of the breast

This rare type of breast cancer can produce eczema-like skin changes, inflammation, and flattening or retraction of the nipple.

Breast cancer

The invasion of the milk ducts by benign or malignant tumors can result in the development of an inverted nipple.

In situations where the nipples have been inverted since birth, there is little reason to be concerned. However, if your nipples begin to flatten or invert later in life or affect only one breast, inform your doctor and have it evaluated to rule out serious conditions.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Inverted Nipple Correction?

Nipple correction candidates are men or women who feel that their nipples are too large or feel that their nipples are flat and inverted. During your initial consultation, Dr. Casas will review your options to alter the appearance of your nipples.

Oftentimes, after childbirth, the nipples become long and are difficult to conceal under normal clothing. The nipple projection can be reduced through an incision around the nipple that removes nipple skin. The nipple can then be pushed in and sutured into a less-projecting position so that, once healed, the nipple is less noticeable under normal clothing. The ability to nurse (breastfeed) can be preserved using this method.

What Are the Benefits of Inverted Nipple Correction?

Nipples are a unique part of the breast. Because of their uniqueness, inverted nipples are easily correctable. If left uncorrected, cosmetic and functional issues could arise and cause irritation and infection. Due to these concerns, there are some advantages of inverted nipple correction in Chicago, including:

  • Your self-confidence can be restored: Having an inverted nipple can cause a woman to feel uncomfortable during intimate moments. Having the inverted nipple repaired allows the woman’s self-confidence to return.
  • Reduced health risks: With the nipple retracted, there is a higher chance of bacteria becoming trapped and causing potential reactions. When the inverted nipple is repaired, the risk of infection decreases, and the overall risk of health issues will decrease.
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What’s the First Step?

Dr. Casas meets with her patients in Glenview, in the greater Chicago area, for a consultation to understand both the physical characteristics of your condition and your personal goals for treatment. She will carefully evaluate the degree of inversion, assess the underlying anatomy, and discuss whether your condition is congenital or acquired, as this can influence the surgical approach.

This consultation is also where important considerations, such as the desire to preserve breastfeeding function, are addressed in detail. Dr. Casas will walk you through your options, explain the available techniques, and help you understand what results you can expect.

What to Expect on the Day of Inverted Nipple Correction Surgery

Dr. Casas performs this procedure under local anesthesia in Chicago, and you can expect to resume normal activity that day while protecting the nipple incisions for 3-6 months.

This procedure may be performed in the Operating Room or as an In-Office Procedure, depending on the individual and the degree of complexity. In many cases, it is a simple in-office procedure with no need for general anesthesia. At the initial consultation, Dr. Casas will be able to determine which options are available on an individual basis. We invite you to come in and explore your options!

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Inverted Nipple Correction Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Inverted Nipple Correction Care

Immediately following an inverted nipple surgery, patients will experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the surgical site. This will gradually improve over the first week after surgery, with many patients being able to return to a semi-normal activity level one to two weeks post-operatively.

Depending on your work level, many patients are able to return to work within a week after this procedure. A full recovery from the procedure should be expected around six months post-operative.

How Much Does Inverted Nipple Correction Cost in Chicago?

The cost of Inverted Nipple Correction in Chicago varies per individual. Dr. Casas can let you know what the cost of your nipple reduction surgery in Chicago will be during your consultation at Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Price will be based on the techniques used, the extent of the work required, and other factors.

Why Choose Dr. Casas?

Dr. Laurie Casas isn’t just an experienced plastic surgeon; she’s a leader who has helped define the standards of her field. Often regarded as a trusted voice among her peers, she is the kind of surgeon other surgeons turn to for guidance. With decades of experience, board certification, and a foundation at prestigious institutions such as Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, she brings a rare combination of technical mastery and aesthetic discernment to every procedure. Dr. Casas created a reliable and safe procedure to correct inverted nipples, with the technique and results.3

Her influence reaches far beyond her own practice. Through extensive publications, leadership roles in top professional organizations, and contributions to national conversations on safety and technique, Dr. Casas has helped shape how modern plastic surgery is practiced. For patients, that level of involvement matters. It means placing your care in the hands of someone whose decisions are informed not only by experience but by a career spent advancing the field itself, offering a level of confidence that is both earned and deeply reassuring.

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The Expertise Of Dr. Casas

10% of women have inverted nipples. Dr. Casas wrote an article titled “Aesthetic and Predictable Correction of the Inverted Nipple” (Aesthetic Surg J 2003;23:353-6), which describes her technique to correct nipples that will not become erect. This procedure is typically done to correct severely inverted nipples.

Usually, under general anesthesia, a small incision is made along the areola, and Dr. Casas releases the fibers that tether the nipple, preventing it from becoming erect. The inside of the nipple is sutured together so that the nipple remains erect. The areolar incision is closed, and the patient wears a protective pad over the incision to protect the nipple for a few months. Normal activity will resume in a few days.

Inverted Nipple Correction FAQ’S

Schedule Your Consultation

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Call (847) 657-6884 or text (847) 323-4511 to schedule a consultation with Casas Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in Chicago for your inverted nipple procedure. Dr. Casas is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is committed to providing our patients with the outstanding surgical care they need.

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