Nipple Reduction
Nipple reduction surgery, also known as nipple reshaping, is designed to alter the size, shape, or prominence of the nipples.
Nipple Reduction
Nipple reduction surgery, also known as nipple reshaping, is designed to alter the size, shape, or prominence of the nipples.
Key Points
Surgery at a Glance
- Surgery Time: 1 -2 hours
- Hospital Stay: 1 night
- Light Exercise: 4 - 6 weeks
- Full Recovery: 4 - 6 weeks
Procedure Time:
1 - 2 hours
Hospital Stay:
day case
Light Exercise:
4 - 6 weeks
Fully Recovered:
4 - 6 weeks
Procedure Time:
1 - 2 hours
Hospital Stay:
day case
Light Exercise:
4 - 6 weeks
Fully Recovered:
4 - 6 weeks
Nipple Reduction Surgery in Detail
Nipple reduction surgery, also known as nipple reshaping, is designed to alter the size, shape, or prominence of the nipples. This surgery can help if you’re unhappy with the appearance of your nipples due to their size, length, asymmetry, or projection.
- Can reduce the projection of the nipples
- Can make the nipples smaller in circumference
- Can even up asymmetrical nipples
- Can help you feel more confident in tight tops and swimwear
- Can help reduce embarrassment caused by prominent nipples
- Infection
- Asymmetry
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Temporary changes in sensation
Nipple reduction surgery can reduce the how far the nipple projects, and can also decrease its circumference. In addition, it can be used to reshape nipples if they’ve stretched after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
There are a number of techniques which can be used, and your surgeon will discuss which would be best for you at your consultation. Typically, though, your surgeon makes incisions around the base of the nipple or along the areola, depending on the outcome you’d like after surgery. Excess tissue is removed from the nipple, and the remaining tissue is reshaped to achieve the desired size and shape. Sutures are then used to close the incisions.
If you’re having nipple reduction surgery on its own, it will usually be carried out while you’re under local anaesthetic, so the area being treated will be numbed. Alternatively, it can be combined with other breast surgeries such as breast reduction, breast augmentation or breast uplift under general anaesthetic.
Having a nipple reduction procedure could be right for you if you feel like your nipples stick out too much, or are too wide, or unevenly shaped. If you feel embarrassed because of your nipples – such as avoiding particular types of clothing, like swimwear or tight tops – or if you wear padding under your clothes to hide how prominent your nipples are, it’s likely that a nipple reduction could help to make a difference.
You should be prepared for your nipples feeling tender for a few days after your surgery, and over-the-counter painkillers can help to manage this. You’ll also have some swelling and bruising, which will gradually subside as you heal.
After surgery, a small dressing will be applied to your nipples, which should be kept dry for about a week.
You’ll need to take a few days off work following your operation, but if your job is especially active, you may need longer. Your surgeon will let you know what is advisable.
Avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting for at least 2 weeks. After this time period, you are likely to be well on the way to recovering from your nipple reduction surgery.
From Our Team
Your Journey
Step 1
Our surgeon assistant will guide you to a suitable surgeon for a video discussion. Should you choose to move forward, we will arrange a pre-surgery meeting, depending on your medical history.
Step 2
Being in good health is vital for surgery. We’ll arrange a pre-surgery check with our nurses to ensure you’re ready and right for the procedure.
Step 3
On your surgery day at SUR, we’ll ensure your comfort as we prepare. Your procedure will occur in a theatre or clinical room, based on its type. Afterwards, you’ll rest in a recovery area or room. Once you’re recovering well, you can head home.
Step 4
At SUR, we prioritise outstanding aftercare. After your procedure, we’ll support you throughout. We’ll schedule check-ins to track your recovery, and our surgical assistant is on hand for any post-operative guidance.
Our surgeon assistant will guide you to a suitable surgeon for a video discussion. Should you choose to move forward, we will arrange a pre-surgery meeting, depending on your medical history.
Being in good health is vital for surgery. We’ll arrange a pre-surgery check with our nurses to ensure you’re ready and right for the procedure.
On your surgery day at SUR, we’ll ensure your comfort as we prepare. Your procedure will occur in a theatre or clinical room, based on its type. Afterwards, you’ll rest in a recovery area or room. Once you’re recovering well, you can head home.
At SUR, we prioritise outstanding aftercare. After your procedure, we’ll support you throughout. We’ll schedule check-ins to track your recovery, and our surgical assistant is on hand for any post-operative guidance.
Nipple Reduction FAQ's
As you’ll be given anaesthetic before your surgery, you won’t feel anything during the operation. Afterwards, it’s likely that you’ll have some tenderness, swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. Any discomfort should start to disappear after the first 3 to 5 days as the tissue settles, and during this time you can use painkillers to help. It’s important that you take things easy for the first few days.
Whenever incisions are made, a scar will be left. In the case of nipple reduction, your surgeon will always try to hide any scarring. Scars do fade as time passes. Follow the aftercare advice we give you, as this will help to keep visible scarring to a minimum after nipple reduction surgery.
This is usually a permanent procedure. Nipple reduction surgery can bring excellent results, which you can expect to be long lasting. You can help to maintain your results by following a healthy lifestyle – eat healthily, wearing sunscreen outside and avoid smoking, as this will help to care for your skin.
Some patients do find that they temporarily experience a loss of sensation in the nipples after their surgery. However, sensation typically returns as the body heals. Patients can also have numbness, tingling or increased sensitivity as temporary side effects from this treatment.
Following your nipple reduction operation, and as you begin to recover from your surgery, your nipples will heal and settle. The time it takes for this to happen can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.
Meet Our Team
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Sur Wellness presents an approach that truly stands unparalleled. It brings a fresh, multidimensional perspective to patient care, taking the journey beyond just medical excellence. Coupled with our unique VIP and medical concierge offerings, Sur’s approach caters not only to the physical, but also to the emotional and holistic needs of our patients. It’s this synthesis of care, commitment, and luxury that offers a new, profound dimension to the patient experience, setting Sur Wellness apart in the realm of surgical well-being.