Before and after bilateral augmentation and mastopexy with liposuction of the axillary rolls in a 48-year-old woman who had previously been treated for right breast cancer with a lumpectomy and radiation. Her breasts were asymmetric, and she felt they were too small for her body. She also had inverted nipples that she found embarrassing and wanted to treat this condition at the same time.
Her reconstruction involved placement of smooth round silicone gel breast implants on top of the muscle, in the subglandular position. Her nipples were lifted, and her breast envelope reshaped to be perkier and rounder. Liposuction removed fat from her armpits and bra rolls.
Inverted nipple correction can be done at the same time as a complex breast procedure such as this one, although placement of implants and a breast lift causes a significant amount of swelling and pressure on the nipples which could increase the risk of incomplete correction of inverted nipples.
In general, we recommend that nipple correction be done separately from placement of breast implants since the nipple contains bacteria and we do not want to stimulate additional bacteria entering the implant pocket, which can lead to capsular contracture.
In this case, the inverted nipple correction was successful, without the creation of additional complications. Follow up photos are shown 1 year after surgery.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
