Your top 10 questions about nipple correction recovery answered

We understand how inverted nipples, enlarged nipples or a large areola area around the nipple may cause you discomfort. You’re not alone! In fact, 10% of the UK’s population have inverted nipples.

Whether you were born with large or inverted nipples or you’ve experienced changes during puberty or after breastfeeding, if the appearance of your nipples is a concern for you, then nipple correction surgery is an option. Here are the top 10 questions about recovering from nipple correction surgery:

1. Will I be able to breastfeed after nipple correction surgery?

This depends on what kind of nipple correction surgery you are having, and the technique involved. Nipple correction surgery involves conserving the milk ducts, but the success of this varies from person to person. Many women who wish to breastfeed opt to have nipple correction surgery after they’ve finished having children.

2. When can I wear normal bras after nipple correction surgery?

For a minimum of 6 weeks following your surgery, you will be asked to wear a post-surgical compression bra to keep your breasts in place whilst your scars are healing. We would advise you to wait until you are signed off by your surgeon before you start to wear normal bras again.

3. Can I have a bath after nipple correction surgery?

Depending on what type of nipple correction procedure you have had will determine just how long you will need to wait before jumping in the tub. If you’re feeling up to it, you can have a tepid bath or shower 1-2 weeks after surgery- as long as you keep those dressings dry.

4. Can I go topless after nipple correction surgery?

Not whilst you are recovering, your nipples need time to heal and if you have been advised to wear a post-surgical compression bra following your surgery, you will need to keep it on for at least 6 weeks (or as advised by your surgeon) and be careful not to aggravate any scarring.

5. How can I sleep comfortably after nipple correction surgery?

After surgery your nipples will be sore, so the best thing to do is to sleep on your back and to prop yourself up with cushions and pillows.

6. How should I care for my scars after surgery?

To minimise the long-term visibility of your scars it’s important to care for them properly especially in those important weeks following surgery. You will be given advice about how best to care for your scars by your surgeon. To reduce any visibility of scarring which may be left behind, you can apply a scar cream once they are fully healed.

7. Can I drink alcohol after nipple correction surgery?

It might be tempting, but you should avoid alcohol for 48 hours after having any type of breast surgery, and try to limit your intake in the weeks leading up to surgery. This is so your painkillers, antibiotics and anaesthetic are left to do their job effectively and to limit bleeding during your op.

 Always follow the advice of your expert surgeon when drinking alcohol before and after surgery.

8. Can I smoke after surgery?

Whilst you are recovering we would advise against both smoking cigarettes and vaping as they can affect the healing process. Smoking can put the wounds at risk of breaking down meaning they could take longer to heal. Poor circulation due to smoking also increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

9. Can I expose my nipples to the sun after surgery?

If you are going somewhere hot and sunny soon after surgery then your nipples should be protected from those UV rays as much as possible -in fact, we would advise you to keep scarring around the nipples covered and away from the sun for up to a year to avoid discolouring and hyperpigmentation (where scars may darken or change colour). Read more about going on holiday after breast surgery.

10. What kind of aftercare will I get with nipple correction surgery?

We believe that the highest quality aftercare is just as important as the surgery itself, so we’re here to support you. You’ll need to give your body plenty of time to heal and we’ll give you detailed guidance on the best way to do this. You may be able to return to work after a couple of days, although we recommend that you avoid doing anything strenuous for around seven to ten days after your nipple correction procedure. Any scars may appear firm and pink for several weeks, but usually start fading over subsequent months. If you have any questions or concerns at all, you can contact our 24/7 helpline. You’ll also have a series of follow-up appointments with the Transform team to make sure you’re healing well. All patients have access to our three-year aftercare programme as standard and you’ll have the option to extend cover to up to 10 years.

We know that you may have many more questions about nipple correction surgery, so why not come and see us for a free consultation. In your consultation, your surgeon will ask you about the results you want to achieve from the surgery. You can discuss what you ideally want your nipples to look like, whether you are a suitable candidate for the surgery and the benefits and risks – with no obligation to go ahead. Our surgeons are extremely knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions you have. There are various methods of surgery depending on whether you’d like to correct inverted nipples, reduce enlarged nipples or have an areola reduction.

Get in touch and start your journey towards your goals today.