Breastfeeding or Appearance? Which Inverted Nipple Surgery Is Right for Me?

Hello.

I am Dr. Bae Jin-hye, director of 맘스외과성형외과.

Today, I would like to explain

why the buried method, a surgical technique for inverted nipples that may preserve the ability to breastfeed,

is structurally prone to recurrence.

Inverted nipples

are not simply nipples that have turned inward.

They involve hypoplasia,

in which the nipple volume is underdeveloped.

In other words,

they are nipples with insufficient volume,

not simply hidden nipples.

Correction of inverted nipples

To correct inverted nipples,

there are three things to consider:

① Building up the volume of the nipple column

② Releasing the short, tight milk-duct structures

Depending on how short they are,

it is determined whether the milk ducts can be preserved

or must be severed and the nipple brought outward.

③ Reinforcing the depression at the base of the nipple

If the base is hollow, it may not provide enough support from below,

which can cause the nipple to become inverted again.

Limitations of the buried method

The buried method for inverted nipple surgery

can preserve breastfeeding function because the milk ducts are preserved,

but the pulling force of the short ducts remains,

making recurrence relatively likely.

Over time, inversion can also occur due to fibrosis around the sutures.

Is the incision method different?

In contrast, the incision method opens the nipple to fully release the short milk ducts

and fills the depression at the base with volume,

restoring the column and shape three-dimensionally.

This results in a higher level of aesthetic completion

and a lower recurrence rate.

Ultimately, the buried method involves a trade-off between breastfeeding and recurrence.

Because of the anatomical structure,

it is difficult to satisfy both breastfeeding and recurrence prevention at the same time.

By analogy, making a perm last longer can damage the hair,

while avoiding damage causes it to loosen quickly.

“Why choose a method that is not completely effective?”

You may have this thought.

However, there is a reason behind that choice.

Those who are unmarried or may wish to give birth and breastfeed

want to preserve the possibility of breastfeeding,

even though the surgical method is incomplete.

I do not try to persuade them against that choice.

Instead, I fully understand their feelings

and work with them to find the balance that suits them.

Should you prioritize trying to preserve breastfeeding function,

or choose a more complete aesthetic result?

I hope you will give careful thought to finding the method that is right for you

somewhere between these two priorities.

Thank you.