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Nipple procedures in the UK, by a consultant breast or plastic surgeon.

Inverted nipple correction, nipple reduction, areola reduction, reconstruction after mastectomy, duct surgery and specialist 3D areola tattoo - the right procedure for what you have noticed, discussed honestly before you commit.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private nipple procedures cost in the UK.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers. Reconstructive work post-mastectomy is usually funded on the NHS.

In short

Cosmetic nipple procedures typically £600–£3,500, home the same day.

Procedure Indicative range
Inverted nipple correction (one side) £1,800–£3,000
Inverted nipple correction (bilateral) £2,500–£3,500
Nipple reduction (bilateral) £1,800–£3,000
Areola reduction (bilateral) £2,200–£3,500
Areola (3D nipple) tattoo, bilateral £600–£1,200
Accessory nipple removal £700–£1,500
Consultation only £200–£400

Prices vary by clinic, by which surgeon does the case, by the anaesthetic chosen, and by whether the procedure is unilateral or bilateral. Post-mastectomy reconstruction, symptomatic single-duct discharge and Hadfield’s are usually NHS-funded; gynaecomastia is case-by-case.

The problem

The right surgeon, the right procedure, the right conversation.

Nipple work is quietly one of the most misdirected areas of private breast surgery - cosmetic clinics doing duct work, general clinicians doing reconstruction, and any new nipple change treated cosmetically without imaging. We fix all three before you commit.

  • Not sure it is needed?

    A grade 1 inversion may respond to non-surgical suction; a 3D areola tattoo may finish a reconstruction without more surgery. We say so.

  • Worried about pain?

    LA, sedation or GA - you pick, informed by an anaesthetist, not booked in blind.

  • Want it done properly?

    A named consultant on the Association of Breast Surgery, BAPRAS or BAAPS register, a proper theatre, and imaging first if anything is new.

When it helps

When a nipple procedure is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means imaging and assessment before any cosmetic step.

  • Inverted or retracted nipple

    A nipple that sits inwards from birth, or has newly turned in - the latter needs assessment before any cosmetic step.

  • Long or projecting nipples

    Nipples over about 1 cm of projection that are uncomfortable in clothing or cause self-consciousness.

  • Enlarged areolae

    Areolae wider than about 4 cm - often after pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight change - that a patient wants smaller.

  • Post-mastectomy reconstruction

    Rebuilding a nipple after mastectomy, whether by local flap, graft or a 3D areola tattoo alone.

  • Nipple discharge from one duct

    Blood-stained or clear discharge from a single duct - a microdochectomy is usually the right operation.

  • Multi-duct discharge or subareolar lumps

    Milky, green or brown discharge from several ducts, or a subareolar mass - often needs a Hadfield’s duct excision.

  • Accessory (extra) nipple

    A small supernumerary nipple along the milk line - removed as a short day-case for cosmetic reasons.

  • Red flag: any new nipple change in adults

    A newly inverted nipple, bloody discharge, eczema of the nipple or a lump needs assessment before any cosmetic procedure - cancer must be excluded first.

Procedure options

The full range of nipple procedures - and which fits which problem.

Some link out to their own dedicated page for the detail.

  • Inverted nipple correction

    Day-case release of the fibrous bands holding the nipple in. For grade 1 the ducts can often be preserved and breastfeeding remains possible; grade 2–3 usually loses lactation. Small periareolar incision under LA and light sedation, with an honest discussion about re-inversion in roughly 10–20 per cent.

  • Nipple reduction

    Cosmetic reduction for overly long or asymmetric nipples - typically more than 1 cm of projection. A small wedge or circumferential excision under LA, ducts preserved where possible.

  • Areola reduction

    Circular periareolar excision for enlarged areolae over about 4 cm. Sits well with a mastopexy or breast reduction if that is also being planned.

  • Nipple reconstruction (post-mastectomy)

    Rebuilding the nipple mound after mastectomy using local flaps or a graft, often finished with a 3D areola tattoo. A dedicated page walks through it in detail.

    Read the dedicated page

  • Areola tattoo (3D nipple tattoo)

    Specialist paramedical pigmentation to recreate a realistic nipple and areola after mastectomy or reconstruction. Painless, no downtime, refreshed every few years.

  • Nipple-sparing mastectomy

    A mastectomy that keeps the nipple and areola for reconstruction. Covered on its own page for indications, risks and reconstructive options.

    Read the dedicated page

  • Microdochectomy

    A single-duct excision for pathological discharge from one duct - the diagnostic operation of choice when only one duct is involved.

    Read the dedicated page

  • Milk duct excision (Hadfield’s)

    A total subareolar duct excision for multi-duct discharge, recurrent periductal mastitis or subareolar disease.

    Read the dedicated page

  • Gynaecomastia surgery

    Male chest reshaping - liposuction with or without gland excision - that affects nipple position and projection.

    Read the dedicated page

  • Accessory nipple removal

    Simple day-case removal of a supernumerary nipple along the embryonic milk line, usually under LA.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

Nipple procedures are common, safe day-cases. The things worth planning are your anaesthetic choice, the sensation and lactation trade-offs, and knowing what is normal after.

  • Local, sedation and GA all offered

    Choice matters. A unilateral procedure under LA is quick and cheap; bilateral cases or anxious patients are usually happier with sedation or GA.

  • Bruising and swelling settle over weeks

    Some bruising and swelling for two to three weeks is normal. Significant bleeding is uncommon and the team is prepared.

  • Altered sensation is common and may be permanent

    Nipple sensation is often changed after any nipple surgery - sometimes reduced, occasionally increased. It is worth weighing before choosing a cosmetic procedure.

  • Lactation may be lost

    Inverted nipple correction grade 2–3 and post-mastectomy reconstruction usually end the ability to breastfeed. Nipple reduction preserves ducts where possible but does not guarantee it.

  • Re-inversion and asymmetry

    Inverted nipple correction has a 10–20 per cent re-inversion rate. Small asymmetries after any nipple procedure are common and rarely need revision.

  • Scarring is usually well hidden

    Incisions sit at the areolar border where they blend into the pigmentation change. The scar looks pink at first and fades over three to six months.

  • Support bra for four to six weeks

    A soft, non-underwired support bra day and night for the first month protects the healing incisions.

  • Unrealistic expectations

    These are refining procedures, not transformations. The best results come from small, honest changes agreed at consultation.

  • Any new nipple change in an adult needs assessment

    A newly inverted nipple, bloody discharge, eczema of the nipple or a lump needs triple assessment before any cosmetic step - cancer must be excluded first.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever nipple procedure was performed, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant breast surgeon reviewing a patient’s operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Indication and procedure chosen

    Why the operation was done - inverted nipple, reduction, duct excision, reconstruction - and which method was agreed with you.

  2. 02 Technique

    Anaesthetic and surgical technique

    Whether it was done under LA, sedation or GA, the incision used, whether ducts were preserved, and closure.

  3. 03 Findings

    Ducts, discharge and any histology

    Notes on the ducts, any subareolar disease, and histology of excised tissue where sent - critical for microdochectomy and Hadfield’s.

  4. 04 Impression

    Recovery, support bra and review timing

    Read this first: expected recovery, when to return to exercise, support-bra guidance and whether follow-up is needed.

Recognised by major UK insurers

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Cover for nipple procedures varies by insurer and by indication - reconstruction and duct surgery are usually funded, cosmetic reduction or inversion correction are typically self-pay.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about nipple procedures.

Quick answers on breastfeeding, cost, sensation, risks and when a nipple change needs assessment first.

  • What counts as a “nipple procedure”?

    Anything from cosmetic reshaping - inverted nipple correction, nipple reduction, areola reduction - to reconstructive work after mastectomy, duct surgery for discharge, and specialist areola tattooing. We help you work out which one fits what you have noticed.

  • Will I still be able to breastfeed?

    It depends on the operation. Grade 1 inverted nipple correction often preserves lactation, grade 2–3 usually does not. Nipple reconstruction after mastectomy and Hadfield’s duct excision end the ability to breastfeed on that side. Nipple reduction preserves the ducts where possible but does not guarantee it.

  • How much does private nipple surgery cost in London?

    Roughly £1,800–£3,000 for inverted nipple correction or nipple reduction, £2,200–£3,500 for areola reduction, and £600–£1,200 for a bilateral 3D areola tattoo. Reconstructive work post-mastectomy is usually funded on the NHS.

  • Is this available on the NHS?

    Reconstruction after mastectomy, symptomatic single-duct discharge (microdochectomy) and Hadfield’s for pathological multi-duct discharge are typically NHS. Purely cosmetic reduction or inversion correction is self-pay. Gynaecomastia surgery is funded case by case.

  • Will my nipple sensation change?

    Often yes. Sensation may be reduced or, less commonly, increased. It usually stabilises within six months. Any nipple surgery carries a risk of permanent change, which is worth weighing before choosing a cosmetic procedure.

  • How long is the recovery?

    Most patients return to office work within three to five days. Bruising and swelling settle over two to three weeks. A soft support bra day and night for four to six weeks protects the incisions. No heavy exercise or swimming for a fortnight.

  • What are the risks of nipple surgery?

    Bleeding, infection, scarring, altered or lost sensation, loss of lactation ability, asymmetry, re-inversion after inverted nipple correction (10–20 per cent), and, rarely, partial loss of the nipple after reconstruction. We go through each honestly at consultation.

  • I have noticed a new nipple change - should I have surgery straight away?

    No. A newly inverted nipple in an adult, bloody discharge, eczema of the nipple or a lump needs triple assessment - examination, breast imaging and often biopsy - before any cosmetic procedure. Cancer must be excluded first.

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