Nipple Reconstruction IN LA JOLLA AND NEWPORT BEACH | TIM SAYED MD
Some nipple reconstructions after breast cancer require time to settle, and some loss of projection can occur.
Nipples come in many shapes and sizes. For some women, the nipple is excessively protuberant, while for others, it may be inverted or otherwise unaesthetic. Breast cancer patients may require nipple reconstruction to complete a process of restoring a truly feminine appearance to the breast. The areola (the pigmented area around the protruding nipple itself) may also be excessively large (or sometimes smaller than desired). Many of these conditions and variants can be improved by plastic surgery.
Learn more about the best nipple reconstruction in Newport Beach and La Jolla, CA by reading on or scheduling a consultation with Dr. Sayed today. Dr. Sayed has offices in both La Jolla and Newport Beach, and he proudly serves patients coming from all over Orange County, San Diego County, and Southern California.
How do I know if I am a candidate for nipple surgery?
Some of our selection criteria to include you as a nipple surgery candidate include:
- Inverted nipples, large nipples, lack of nipple after breast cancer treatment, enlarged areolas, small areolas, or other nipple-areola concerns
- General good health
- No masses on breast examination – if you have a significant family history of breast cancer or are over 30 we will request a preoperative mammogram if you have not had one within a year
- Nonsmoker or willing to commit to NO NICOTINE IN ANY FORM for at least 3 weeks preop and for the duration of your recovery
- Available support system of friends, family, caregivers or others who can help you to keep your appointments, complete your preop and postop tasks, and emotionally bolster you through this exciting journey
- Reasonable expectations of how much correction is possible with specific techniques
How can I prepare for my nipple surgery in San Diego?
There are many ways you can prepare for the procedure:
- Have a reasonable expectation of what surgery can accomplish
- Don’t smoke or take nicotine in any form for at least 3 weeks and ideally longer before (and after) surgery
- Stay well rested and well hydrated and eat a nutritious diet balanced with plenty of protein
- If your diet is lacking in vitamins, take vitamin C and zinc supplementation but ask Dr. Sayed about other supplements. We have a list of ingredients we ask you to avoid in the immediate preop phase to optimize healing and minimize bleeding risk
- Designate a caretaker who can help you through the first few days after your procedure
- Identify whether any female relatives in your immediate family have any history of breast cancer
Meet Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS
Double board-certified plastic surgeon | Breast Explant Expert
Dr. Tim Sayed and his staff believe that the commitment to undergoing cosmetic treatment is a momentous decision that needs to be approached with kindness and compassion, and this starts by offering a comprehensive, detailed consultation process with an emphasis on educating the patient about plastic surgery procedures and options. Dr. Sayed uses sophisticated drawing tools, the patient’s images, and anatomic education tools that he helped develop himself to inform the patient of every aspect of the procedure. Dr Sayed’s signature procedures include breast implant removal, breast lift and tummy tuck.
How long do nipple surgery results usually last?
Some nipple procedures produce a permanent result. Nipple inversion may recur in occasional patients, but this is usually treatable with a touch-up. Scar revisions, areolar reductions and other corrections for the areola often produce permanent, pleasing results. It is important to be realistic, however, as most breasts are not symmetrical by nature, so there may be slight differences between the two nipples and areolas even after attempts to make them as symmetric as possible.
Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS, as a talented breast San Diego plastic surgeon with many years of experience with breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast surgery, has an array of methods at hand to help with nipple-areolar findings. Many of these procedures may be done under local anesthesia or with a minimum of sedation in one of our available accredited facilities.
Some of the options available include:
- Nipple reconstruction with flaps
- Nipple reconstruction with “nipple sharing” technique
- Nipple reduction
- Areolar reduction
- Areolar enlargement
- Correction of inverted nipples
- Raising of low areolas
- Smoothing of swollen or bulging areolas
- Improvement of peri- or circumareolar scars
What is recovery from nipple surgery in San Diego like?
Most nipple procedures are performed either in the office or on an outpatient basis in a AAAASF-certified operating room, meaning the facility is up to very high standards of accreditation. Patients usually spend a short period recovering before being discharged in the care of a companion, family member or friend. Dr. Sayed gives a 24 hour phone number to all patients who can reach him for urgent questions, and we also issue access to a patient engagement application that allows the patient or companion/caregiver to send SMS messages, photos, video and other content to our team in a secure, private digital format. This keeps us mutually informed on your recovery and allows us to update your instructions while requiring a respectful number of face-to-face visits in the office.
Early postop recovery findings can include bruising and swelling, mild discomfort, discoloration of the nipple or areola, numbness or diminished sensation in the nipples, and some mental adjustment to the process of healing which most patients undergo. Most patients are advised to take a few days out of social circulation and we’d prefer that you not drive yourself in the first three to five days or as long as you are taking any prescription pain medication. Most sutures are dissolvable but there may be a few that need to be removed at around 14 days postop. You may be asked to wear a special protective splint on the nipple to allow it to heal without being subject to external pressure.
We ask that you abstain from exercise for 2 weeks and then return to light fitness routines after that. You will be asked to wear a surgical bra and avoid underwires for a few weeks, and it will be easiest for you if you wear tops that button down in the front in the first 10 days or so. Dr. Sayed and his team provide close postop care in the office and with our remote engagement tools. You will be asked to take some supplement medications to aid in your recovery, which may include medications for pain, bruising, swelling, and dietary optimization.
Schedule Your Nipple Reconstruction Consultation Today
Double board-certified San Diego plastic surgeon, Tim Sayed, MD, MBA,FACS, has helped countless women achieve the results and confidence they desire. Dr. Sayed and his expert team are committed to providing the best results and experience possible. To start your nipple reconstruction journey in Newport Beach or San Diego, CA please call us at (858) 247-2933 or complete our online form.
Newport Beach Nipple Reconstruction FAQs
While this depends on the specific procedure, most nipple/areola operations take around a half an hour per side. Often this can be done under local anesthesia, although sedation and general anesthesia are also available to most patients with a medical clearance.
We don’t like to publish pricing as it is subject to market changes and dependent on the types of procedures you consider. We do have a fee schedule available in the office after your consultation, and we can give you an estimate through virtual consultation tools available on this site like our Zwivel® page. Feel free to contact us for a pre-consultation and we are happy to provide more information. The cost of your surgery will partly depend on where you have it, and whether you elect sedation or general anesthesia vs. local anesthesia.
