Is There Such a Thing As Nipple Reduction Surgery? 

Yes! Nipple reduction surgery is definitely a ‘thing.’

Firmly under the umbrella of breast augmentation surgery, a nipple reduction is a procedure in which a plastic surgeon removes extra skin and tissue to decrease the height or projection of one’s nipples. It can also be used to reduce the diameter or width of the nipple.

If it’s something you’re curious about, you should know that it’s more common than you might think.

Why Would One Need Nipple Reduction Surgery?

There are several reasons one may seek a nipple reduction. In some cases, a patient might be struggling with nipple hypertrophy where the nipple is prominent and can reach lengths up to 3/4 of an inch. This can cause discomfort or chafing when wearing clothes. The protruding nipples also show through clothing and can make people feel self-aware.

In other cases, a patient may be self-conscious about an enlarged nipple – wherein the diameter of the areola has increased. Enlarged nipples can happen to anybody and are often the result of breastfeeding and menstruation in women.

But men can also struggle with prominent nipples due to weight gain, steroid use, hormonal imbalance, or medical conditions such as gynecomastia; a condition that causes enlarged male breasts.

Nipple reduction surgery addresses the issues of chafing, discomfort, and lowered self-esteem and self-image.

Nipple Reduction Is Often Combined with Other Breast Augmentation Procedures

One of the main reasons nipple reduction surgery is part of the breast augmentation family is that it’s often performed as part of a breast lift, enlargement, or reduction.

Combining nipple reduction surgery with a breast reduction, in particular, can deliver the best aesthetic results – though this isn’t a requirement. If you’re satisfied with your breast size but uncomfortable with the appearance of enlarged or protruding nipples, then you’ll want to seek counsel with your plastic surgeon to discuss all of your options.

What To Expect

Generally speaking, there are two different nipple reduction techniques. They are called the flap and the wedge. The technique chosen by a board-certified plastic surgeon depends on the condition of the nipple.

With the flap technique, the surgeon makes an incision at the base of the nipple to lift part of it. The excess tissue is then removed from the nipple, and the surgeon turns down the flap to create a smaller nipple.

Meanwhile, the wedge technique involves the surgeon cutting out a wedge-shaped piece from the nipple and attaching the two remaining sides to reduce the overall size of the nipple.

Are You a Good Candidate?

Nipple reduction surgery is ideal for patients whose nipple size is enlarged as a result of weight loss, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. It’s also appropriate for those who feel their nipples project too far from the breast or are too wide. And this includes men.

Additional situations that might make you a solid candidate for nipple reduction include uneven or droopy nipples or extra skin on your nipples.

No Need to Be Shy!

If overly large, puffy, or protruding nipples are negatively impacting your confidence or are causing intimacy issues, then contact us today.

A nipple reduction surgery might be just what you need to restore your self-esteem and feel good about your appearance – no matter what the situation.

And remember, you’re not alone.