Nipples come in various sizes and shapes in both men and women. In some cases, nipples may protrude excessively, leading many people to seek treatment to reduce the size of large nipples. Protruding nipples can be fixed by reducing the size of the nipple surgically to the desired size. The procedure shares similar characteristics to other cosmetic surgery procedures, which involve excess skin removal, although nipple reduction surgery is considered a minor procedure with barely noticeable scars.
Approximately 10% of all women in the UK have conditions of the nipple such as protruding nipples, inverted nipples or flat nipples. Protruding nipples can be incredibly distressing as they may be obvious through certain items of clothing and, in some cases, may cause pain and discomfort. The most common example of this is a ‘jogger nipple’.
Men also report concerns with protruding nipples. In these cases, several factors may contribute to the appearance of nipple protrusion, including gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a prevalent condition in men which involves the excessive development of glandular breast tissue, often with excessive fat accumulation in the male chest, giving rise to the appearance of ‘man boobs‘ or ‘moobs’. Gynecomastia results in the nipples being pushed outwards and will require treatment along with nipple reduction.
Nipple correction surgery is most commonly undertaken to improve cosmetic appearance and can improve self-confidence and emotional well-being. The procedure can also relieve pain or discomfort if this is a prominent feature of excessively large nipples.
Protruding nipple surgery at Centre for Surgery can reshape the nipple with alteration of both the width and height of the nipple whilst simultaneously preserving nipple sensitivity. Nipple correction surgery is often combined with other procedures and is a permanent solution to nipple protrusion.
If you have developed a loss of confidence and cannot wear certain items of clothing, such as swimwear, due to protruding nipples, nipple correction may be the best treatment for you. The corrective nipple procedure is easily performed in under 30 minutes under a local anaesthetic. If you combine the procedure with gynaecomastia correction, then it is most commonly carried out under general anaesthetic.
Nipple protrusion surgery involves a quick recovery with little impact on your normal daily activities. Protruding nipple surgery is a day-case procedure, meaning you can go home later the same day. There is minimal disruption to most activities. However, you should confirm with your surgeon when you can recommence specific physical exercises so that there is no disruption to the healing process.
Why do nipples stick out and is this normal?
The typical appearance of the nipple covers a broad spectrum of normality, although in most cases, the nipples stick out and appear cylinder-shaped. Most female adolescents have a protruding nipple shape whilst they are growing and developing and maintain the same shape throughout their lives. However, in some cases, many women may have inverted nipples, and this can affect up to 1 and five of all women in the UK. In most cases, the size and shape of nipples are not related to a serious underlying condition and are completely harmless.
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Is it possible to reduce the size of my big nipples?
Women and men who have big nipples can have these effectively reduced with nipple reduction surgery. Nipple reduction can fix big nipples and alter the size and shape of the nipples if they are excessively large or have become deformed by a previous injury. The vast majority of nipple reduction surgery takes no more than one hour, and patients can recover in the comfort of their own homes later the same day. Inverted nipple correction may take slightly longer, and this is especially the case if women are keen to breastfeed in the future.
RELATED: What are flat nipples?
What is the best way to get rid of protruding nipples?
The most effective method of permanently getting rid of protruding nipples is with a straightforward nipple reduction procedure. Nipple reduction surgery is most commonly carried out under local anaesthetic, and patients can have both the width and height of the nipple changed to suit their preferences. Nipple asymmetry can also be treated if patients notice they have uneven nipples on either side. Some patients may also choose to have areola reduction to reduce the size of big areolas in the same procedure. Your surgeon takes great care to preserve the sensation of the nipple using precise surgical techniques. The desired result of nipple reduction surgery is a nipple that has a natural size and shape in harmony with the rest of the chest anatomy.
RELATED: Which nipple or areola correction procedure is right for me?
How much does it cost to fix protruding nipples?
Nipple surgery cost will depend on several factors, including the size of the nipples, your surgeon’s experience, whether you have one or both sides treated and if you are having the procedure combined with another surgery such as breast augmentation or breast reduction surgery.
If you want to learn more about nipple surgery prices, please get in touch with one of our friendly and knowledgeable patient coordinators at 020 7993 4849, or you can email us by filling in the contact form below.
What are the pros and cons of nipple surgery?
There are many advantages of nipple correction surgery. The procedure is quick to perform with little, if any, downtime and can significantly improve self-confidence and emotional well-being. In a minimal number of cases, corrective nipple surgery may alter sensitivity to the nipple, and this is most commonly temporary but can be permanent. In a small number of cases, scarring may be more visible than expected, and asymmetry is another recognised risk of nipple surgery. When carried out by an experienced breast surgeon, these risks are rare and your surgeon will take time to discuss all the potential risks and complications at your face-to-face consultation in London.
Where is the best place to have my protruding nipples fixed?
Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London in the UK. Our surgeons are renowned for expertise in the full range of breast procedures and nipple procedures, including nipple reduction, inverted nipple correction and areola reduction.
