Historically, it’s the “size” of the breasts that have gotten all of the attention. As you know, women flock to the plastic surgeon’s office to increase their cup size, to defy their genetics, and to “lift” and increase the size of their breasts after they’ve been deflated from pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight lifting or extreme weight loss. For some women, their breasts have gone through changes due to all of the above.
Even though breast augmentations and lifts are extremely popular, that doesn’t change the fact that millions of women are self-conscious about their nipples. Some women have inverted nipples (where they do not stick out), while other women’s nipples have virtually doubled or tripled in size after breastfeeding. What many women don’t realize is that these days, a plastic surgeon can help them achieve the look and “size” nipples they desire, whether they want to go bigger or smaller.
We’ve Noticed the Trend in Our Office
In contrast to breasts, bigger nipples are not perceived as better. Thus, many of the women who are seeking nipple surgery are the ones whose nipples changed dramatically in size and appearance after having children. Some men also have issues with their nipple size. As the awareness grows, so has the interest in nipple reduction surgery.
Many patients don’t even know that it is possible to reduce the nipples. However, many have come across the procedure in their research and are asking for it.
Most women request correction of inverted nipples, which are flat and do not protrude. However, nipple surgeries don’t stop there. Some patients want them to be more symmetrical, while others want long, prominent nipples to be reduced so they can be more aesthetically pleasing.
So, what does the perfect nipple look like? Our opinion is that like breasts, perfect nipples are very subjective. Each woman is trying to achieve a different look; it’s very personal and unique to the individual. Luckily the procedure to correct the nipples is usually relatively quick and may be performed under local anesthesia in the office setting. No major surgery is necessary. Also, for those worried about sensation, usually that is not affected in the long run.
If you’re interested in learning more about nipple surgery, contact our office to meet with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Yuly Gorodisky!