Breast Augmentation: Q&A
Ask a QuestionLoss of Sensation After Breast Augmentation?
I am 34 and thinking about getting breast implants mostly to even out my chest (one breast is a C-cup, the other is a B-cup). I want my breasts to look better and more symmetrical, but I am really scared of losing sensation in this area. What I want to know is - Will breast implants cause me to lose sensation in my breasts? Is there anything I can do to avoid this, or is it inevitable if I undergo breast augmentation? Thanks a lot!
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47 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
anon
+3
Breast Augmentation Loss of Feeling or Breast Sensation
Thank you for your question-it is an important one.
Fortunately loss of feeling or sensation is uncommon after Breast Augmentation Surgery. The rate is about 5%.
Fortunately most loss of feeling is temporary and sensation or feeling comes back after time.
There are two types of loss of feeling:
Loss of Nipple Sensation
Loss of Sensation in the Cleavage Area
It is more common to lose sensation in the Cleavage Area between the breasts-this often gets better with...
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+3
Sensation loss and breast augmentation
Loss of sensation of your breasts can occur with augmentation, but the overall incidence of permanent sensation loss is very low.
Things that can increase the chance of having permanent sensation loss are:
Large implants
Incisions around the nipple
+2
Sensation after breast augmentation
You should be able to feel your breasts after this surgery. Typically, you'll see loss of sensation when the difference pre and post op is very significant. If you start an a-cup and move to a d-cup you may be stretching the nerves so much that they loose blood supply and struggle to transmit sensation impulses.
During surgery the nerve could get stretched though, remember that this implant is not really meant to be there so it could happen even in the case of an implant that is not too...
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15 percent chance of Numbness after Breast Augmentation
If you are absolutely not willing to risk any numbness after Breast Augmentation, you should NOT have the operation. Although 85% of women who have the operation do not suffer numbness, less than 2 in 10 women can end up with permanent numbness.
The feeling to the nipple in most women depends on the functioning of the end branches of the sensory nerves that leave under the 5the rib and enter the breast along its side. If the implant is very wide, if the side pocket is made wide to allow its...
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Risks of Surgery
With any surgery, it involves risks and complications. However, choosing a board certified plastic surgeon is very important when considering surgery. There is a low percentage rate of patients who lose sensation after breat augmentation surgery. There is also a risk of hyper-sensitivity. Some patients report numbness for a couple months and then their sensation returns. Results may vary from patient to patient depending on the severity and complexity of your case.
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Loss of sensation with breast implants
There is always the risk that there may be some loss of sensation with placing breast implants, but this is fortunately a rare occurrence. It is not uncommon for there to be some temporary changes in sensation right after the surgery due to swelling and the stretch from the implant to the nerves, but this usually doesn't last.
There seems to be a difference in incidence of loss of sensation with the incision placement. The closer you are to the nerve to the nipple, the higher the...
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Loss of sensation is possible but not inevitable with breast implants
Loss or decrease in sensation is a possible complication of operating on any breast. Changes in sensation is the second most common patient complaint following breast augmentation (after capsular contracture).
The choice of incision may impact on changes in sensation - some surgeons feel that the inframammary (below the breast) approach increases risk and others feel that the periareolar approach (under the nipple) increases risk; there are many studies in the literature to support both...
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Ontario Plastic Surgeon
+2
Breast Augmentation and Loss of Sensation
Loss of sensation, while rare, is a known complication of breast augmentation and may be related to several variables--choice of incision, extent of dissection, and size of implant.
To begin, there are three main approaches to Breast Augmentation:
Below the fold (IMF approach)
Under the arm (trans-axillary approach)
Through the areola (periareolar approach)
There is no perfect approach and every incision has its advantages and its disadvantages. The most important thing for you, as a...
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Jaime-- this is a very common question. The short...
Jaime-- this is a very common question. The short answer is that the risk exists, but it is pretty low. There are some folks that suggest that an incision under the breast in the breast crease is less likely to cause a problem compared to the incision in the areola, so many surgeons will exclusively only perform the procedure through this one incision.
The bottom line is that you have to sit down with your plastic surgeon and discuss the risk versus your desire to have breast augmentation,...
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+1
Sensation after Breast Augmentation
It is very rare that we see loss of sensation after breast augmentation. It is most common when especially large implants are utilized. This is because the dissection or creation of a space is often more aggressive for a larger implant. The small nerves that supply sensation to the nipple can be either stretched or damaged with aggresive dissection. Not to worry, only going up a size utilizing a modest implants would allow for a less invasive dissection therefore, the...
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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