Correction of Inverted Nipples

Dr. Kitto performs the correction of inverted nipples in the office under local anesthesia for her patients’ maximum comfort. Dr. Kitto uses small incisions placed at inconspicuous locations to reshape the nipple, provide support to the nipple and then closes the incisions with absorbable sutures. There will be no stitches to remove. This procedure is relatively short and safely performed in the office. Patients are then sent home with detailed instructions and follow up.

Recovery is fairly quick. Patients may expect mild swelling and bruising for a day or two. Any residual discomfort is treated with over the counter medication. There are no stitches to be removed as they are all dissolvable. The incisions heal quicks and scars become imperceptible. Patients are periodically seen in the office to ensure their complete recovery.

Understanding Inverted Nipple Grades (1, 2, and 3)

Plastic surgeons use the Han and Hong classification system — the universally accepted grading standard published in the medical literature and referenced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine — to assess the severity of nipple inversion. Identifying your grade is the first step in choosing the right treatment.

Grade 1 (Mild) — “Shy Nipples”

The nipple can be pulled out easily with gentle pressure and holds its projection well for some time before retracting. Fibrosis beneath the nipple is minimal, and the lactiferous (milk) ducts are typically normal. Many Grade 1 patients can breastfeed successfully and may respond to non-surgical approaches.

Grade 2 (Moderate)

The nipple can still be pulled out, but it retracts soon after pressure is released. There is moderate fibrosis under the nipple and mild retraction of the milk ducts. Breastfeeding may be possible but the baby can have difficulty latching. Surgical correction is often considered for Grade 2 patients seeking a lasting result.

Grade 3 (Severe)

The nipple cannot be pulled out manually. There is severe fibrosis and significant soft-tissue deficiency, with tightly constricted milk ducts. Grade 3 inversions typically require surgical correction to achieve lasting projection. Dr. Kitto evaluates each patient’s grade carefully during consultation to plan the most effective approach.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Options

Not every inverted nipple needs surgery. The right option depends on your grade, your goals, and whether you plan to breastfeed in the future.

Non-Surgical Approaches

Suction-based devices (such as the Niplette and similar nipple-everters) apply gentle, sustained traction to gradually draw the nipple outward. The Hoffman technique — a manual stretching exercise — may also help in mild cases. These approaches work best for Grade 1 inversions and require consistent, long-term use. Results are not always permanent, and they are typically ineffective for Grade 2 or Grade 3 cases where dense fibrous bands are tethering the nipple.

Surgical Correction with Dr. Kitto

For patients who have tried non-surgical options without success, or whose grade makes them unlikely candidates for conservative care, surgery delivers reliable, lasting projection. Dr. Kitto’s in-office, local-anesthesia technique releases the tethering bands beneath the nipple and uses dissolvable sutures to maintain projection — with minimal downtime and inconspicuous incisions.

Can You Breastfeed After Inverted Nipple Surgery?

This is one of the most common questions Dr. Kitto receives, and the honest answer depends on the surgical technique and the severity of inversion.

Duct-preserving techniques — typically used for Grade 1 and many Grade 2 cases — release the fibrous tethers around the milk ducts without cutting them. Most patients who undergo a duct-preserving correction can breastfeed afterward, although success is never guaranteed even in women without prior surgery.

Duct-dividing techniques are sometimes necessary for Grade 3 inversions, where the fibrosis is so severe that ducts must be released to achieve lasting projection. These techniques can reduce or eliminate the ability to breastfeed on the corrected side.

If breastfeeding is a priority for you, please share that with Dr. Kitto at your consultation. She will tailor the surgical plan to preserve duct function whenever the anatomy allows.

Pricing: How Much Does Inverted Nipple Correction Cost in Richmond?

Inverted nipple correction is one of the more affordable cosmetic procedures, in part because Dr. Kitto performs it in-office under local anesthesia — eliminating the facility and general-anesthesia fees that come with hospital-based surgery.

Across the United States, inverted nipple correction generally falls between $1,000 and $6,000, with most board-certified practices pricing the procedure as follows:

• Unilateral (one nipple): roughly $750 – $2,500
• Bilateral (both nipples): roughly $2,000 – $5,000
• Grade 3 or revision cases: can range $4,000 – $6,000+

Final pricing depends on whether one or both nipples are being corrected, the grade of inversion, and whether the procedure is paired with another treatment such as a breast augmentation or lift. Most patients receive a transparent, all-inclusive quote at the time of consultation.

What your quote typically includes: surgeon’s fee, local anesthesia, in-office facility use, all dissolvable sutures, and follow-up visits through complete recovery. Financing options are available.

Before & After Photo Gallery

Real results from Dr. Kitto’s own patients tell the story better than words. Our before-and-after gallery shows the natural projection and symmetry achieved across a range of grades — from subtle Grade 1 corrections to dramatic Grade 3 results.

Each photo is of a patient treated by Dr. Kitto at our Richmond practice, with full consent for use. Browse the gallery to see what’s possible for your case.