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Sensitive Nipples Post-op - Will This Go Away?

asked 1 year ago by San Antonio7699 in San Antonio
Latest answer by Julio Garcia, MD
Question viewed 835 times
Tags: nipples, saline implants, 300-349cc, B cup, sensitive skin, transaxillary

I Had a Breast Augmentation 3weeks Ago Was a Small B and Got 340cc Thur Saxillary? Now I Have Really Sensitive Nipples. Will this go away any time soon? They also got a lot bigger and very sensitive. I thought this wouldn't happen since it was through the axillary (saline) any advice? Is this normal?

22 answers to Sensitive Nipples Post-op - Will This Go Away?

Hypersensitive Nipples after BA

The sensory nerves to your breasts get stretched over the implant no matter which approach is used. They go numb and as they wake up again you will experince the hypersensitivity. It usually resloves in a matter of weeks to a few months. Just be patient. It's actually a good sign.

Lori H. Saltz, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Nipple sensation

Yes, this usually goes away. This is usually due to nerves that are healing and when nerves heal they can be more sensitive. This can take a long time, however - up to 6 months.

Bivik Rajnikant Shah, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Sensitive nipples after breast enlargement surgery is normal and will resolve over time!

Since 5-10% of breast augmentation patients lose nipple-areola sensation on one or both sides (the lateral 4th intercostal nerve to the nipple is unavoidably severed during the surgical creation of the implant pocket because of normal anatomic differences in some patients), having hypersensitivity means the nerves are intact! This is a good thing, since the increased sensation that you are now experiencing will resolve over the next few weeks or so, and your normal nipple sensation will... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Extra sensitive nipple after breast implants

After breast augmentation the breast tissue and nerves within will be under stretch and subject to swelling and bruising. During this early period you can experience extra sensitive nipples, and sometimes some reduction in sensation as the tissues relax and heal. The process will take several weeks for all to feel normal again. You have also noticed that the nipple areolar will expand as the breast is enlarged with the implant. Most often the aesthetics will balance out and your breast will... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Hypersensative Nipples Not Uncommon after Augmentation

Hypersensative nipples following augmentation are not unusual. This almost always returns to normal with time. The good news is that this means that you will not have any diminished sensation in your nipples with time. Wearing a bra to prevent fabric from rubbing across your nipples may be useful.

John Whitt, MD
Louisville Plastic Surgeon

Sensitive Nipples Post-op - Will This Go Away?

Now you have read 8 postings from experts. With a excellent pathophysiology and treatment options of your issue. What is troubling to me is "WHY" have you not discussed with your operative surgeon? From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation and nipple sensitivity

Nipple hypersensitivity is often encountered with various types of breast operations. Yes, this generally gets better with time. As the swelling improves the hypersensitivity often improves. You should consider padding your post op bra with a small gauze to help. Additionally, you can start to desensitize your nipples. This sounds strange but does work. It involves progressive increase of stimulation until sensitivity improves.

Delio Ortegon, MD
San Antonio Plastic Surgeon

Sensitivity after Breast Augmentation

Everyone's advice is right on. In order to place the implant, the tissues are stretched. This also stretches the sensory nerves. These nerves in turn start sending altered signals to the brain. There are a variety of results, including increased sensitivity, less sensitivity or altered sensitivity. In the vast majority of cases this is temporary. Good Luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Nipple sensitivity after breast augment

This is very common but will not resolve without your intervention. Although uncomfortable at first you need to massage the area a few times a day. The sensory nerve has been stretched and is sending a distress signal to the brain. The nerve needs to be re educated to understand this is the new normal. It will take a few weeks with active massage to resolve. If you do not massage it will remain this way. Begin your massage and follow up with your doctor. Good luck and I hope... more

Robert W. Kessler, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Nipple Massage for hypersensitivity after breast augmentation

I agree with the other PS posts. Although it is temporary it can be bothersome. However you can massage them regularly ( 2-3 times a day) to desensitize the nipples and speed the recovery. Good luck!

Dana Khuthaila, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drkhuthaila.com

Axillary approach does not mean no issues

No matter where the incision is made, a pocket as large as the implant is being made during your augmentation, and it is during this creation that the tiny skin nerves can be stretched or disrupted causing numbness, sensitivity or pain. These are usually temporary, lasting weeks to months.

Victor Au, MD
Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon

Hypersensitive nipples post-augmentation

Sensation to the nipples after breast augmentation is variable. One can have normal sensation, hypersensitive ven painful nipples, or hyposensitive or numb nipples. It can even vary from one side to the other with the same procedure. In general, while not predictable or controllable, these sensory changes will diminish and the majority of nipples go back to their usual sensation. It might take a number of weeks or even months for the nerves to either regain sensation or be less reactive. more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Sensitive nipples after augmentation

It is very common to hear that patients have very sensitive nipples after breast augmentation, Most of the time the hypersensitivity disappears within 6 weeks after surgery, so there is no reason to worry right now. Keep your doctor posted and I think this will resolve.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Nipple sensation after a breast augmentation

The type of implant used for a breast augmentation will not change the possibility of the nipples being hypersensitive. The cause of the hypersensitivity is irritation of the nerves that go to the nipple and they come mostly from the side of the chest wall between the ribs and course through the breast tissue. Due to the location of the nerve, it is the opening of the pocket that can cause the irritation,. The incision and implant type will not make a difference. In time, as the nerve... more

Julio Garcia, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Hypersensitive nipples after breast augmentation

Thank you for the question Yes, hypersensitive nipples are quite common and usually temporarily so after breast augmentation surgery. More commonly, in approximately 5% of patients, there will be hypo sensitivity of the nipples that may be permanent. This is seen regardless of the incision used to perform the breast augmentation procedure and is related to involvement of the 4th intercostal nerve. I hope this helps.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Nipple sensitivity following breast augmentation.

Sensitive Nipples Post-op - Will This Go Away? This is a very common complaint. I have noted that most patients experience this at approximately 10 days to 3 weeks after surgery. It is due to the stretching of the nerves (neuropraxia) and will resolve as the nerve relaxes. In research, we know we can stretch nerves and they will grow, as they do this they become less taut and less sensitive. This is common for any part of the body and physical therapists commonly... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Nipple Sensation following Breast Augmentation

Changes in nipples sensation following breast augmentation is not uncommon. Nipple sensation may increase, stay the same or decrease regardless to the incision used (periareolar, inframammary, axillary or umbilical). It will take approximately a year for complete healing to know what the final nipple sensation will be. DrMezrow.com

Craig Mezrow, MS, MD
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

Nipple hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity of the nipples three weeks after breast augmentation can happen and usually improves over the first few weeks.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Is hypersensitivty of my nipples 3 weeks after a breast augmentation something to be concerned about?

Hypersensitivity of your nipples following a breast augmentation through any approach is not rare - though it is unpleasant. You are still very early in your post-operative course so its presence is not alarming. Most patients can take several weeks to a few months for this to resolve and it is rarely permanent. Wearing a form fitting bra where there is no chafing or movement may assist you in the interim but just be patient. Some patients actually benefit by desensitizing... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Sensitive Nipples

You bet after any breast procedure you can have hypersensitive nipples. A lot of women will use breast feeding pads to cover the nipples to avoid the discomfort. All of this is usually due to the stretch to the skin envelope leading to the sensitivity. I have not seen it last longer then 3 months.

Paul Albear, MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

www.albearplasticsurgery.com

Sensitive nipples postop

While patients seem never to mention loss of nipple sensitivity, they will always complain in the event of hypersensitivity. This is not uncommon after breast augmentation and is due to irritation of the nerves in the implant pocket. I advise patients to stimulate the nipples as frequently as possible by pinching or rubbing. This will rapidly become less unpleasant the more it is done, and helps the sensitivity to settle down fairly quickly.

Eric Pugash, MD
Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.vancouvercosmeticsurgery.ca

Sensitive Nipples Post-op - Will This Go Away?

This is common, and will resolve over time. The breasts underwent a rapid streching, and this affected the cutaneous nerves, thus your nipples are sensitive. As the swelling resolves and the tissues strech, the nipples will likely go back to normal. Good luck!