Can Inverted Nipple Repair Be Permanent?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have inverted nipples that are sometimes worse than other times. The left nipple is much worse. They can be manipulated to come out by squeezing on them but they won’t come out on their own. I’ve been self conscious about it my whole life. Is it possible to correct them permanently?

A: Inverted nipples can be quite variable in their presentation of depth of inversion and duration that it has been present. At least yours can be manipulated outward, which means they are not permanently contracted downward. The success for inverted nipple repair is when you can squeeze the nipple and it can come out on its own. This can be treated by either fat injections and done through a small incision to release it and placing a small fat graft into the space created when the nipple is pulled outward. Take of the fat graft should hold them out on a more permanent basis. A way to test the success of fat grafting for inverted nipples is to do a ‘trial’ of a temporary injectable filler like Juvederm Voluma. If that is successful (and it could last up to a year) then you could proceed with injectable fat grafting for a more permanent nipple inversion treatment. Otherwise if they fail to come out by injection, then they will need a surgical release and fat grafting.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana