If you choose to surgically reconstruct the nipple, you have a few different options. Talk to your plastic surgeon about which option may be best for you and your reconstructed breast:

• Use the skin of your reconstructed breast: This is a common option, which involves your surgeon taking a small flap of skin from the breast to “cone” it into a new nipple. Most patients don’t feel much pain with this surgery because nerves aren’t connected in the reconstructed breast.
• Reconstruct the areola with skin from a different area of the body: Your surgeon can take an oval of skin from the outer edge of your mastectomy scar, donor site scar or the inside of your thigh. This skin will be sewed to the new nipple on the reconstructed breast.
• Tattoo an areola around the reconstructed nipple: This involves reconstructing the nipple as described above and tattooing a darker color around it. This can also be done at your doctor’s office. 

Outcomes

In all procedures, you will not have much or any feeling in the new nipple. These surgeries can be done on an outpatient basis in under two hours, with local or general anesthesia. Most doctors will ask you to wait a week after the surgery before driving or working.

Non-surgical options

A non-surgical option is to apply removable nipples that stick on with adhesive. These rubbery tips are shaped like a semi-erect nipple and the color and texture are quite lifelike.

If you are ready for a consultation about your breast reconstruction options, call 734-998-6022 to schedule an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons.