Breast Augmentation: Q&A

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Loss 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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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... more

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

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... more

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... more

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.

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... more

Dan Mills, MD

10 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.danmillsmd.com

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... more

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... more

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,... more

Loss of Sensation After Breast Augmentation?

Its not common, but possible. If the nerves get stretched during surgery you can either have lack of sensation or hypersensitivity of the nipples. Usually these are temporary and resolve over time. Permanent loss of sensation following breast augmentation surgery is very rare

No One Can Ever Guarantee That Your Sensation Will Not Be Altered, But The Odds Are In Your Favor

Fear of loss of sensation after breast augmentation is frequently a deterrent for people who are considering this procedure. Unfortunately, no one can ever guarantee that your sensation will not be altered, but the odds are in your favor. Almost everyone has numbness right after surgery, but this gets better as the swelling goes down and the nerves start to function again. The majority of sensation usually comes back over the first few weeks to months, but it can get better... more

Will I lose nipple sensation after an augmentation?

I tell my patients that if nipple sensitivity is extremely important to them, then they should not undergo an augmentation. Studies show that 15% of patients can have some form of altered sensitivity post op. With that said, technique and size of implants play the most important role in ones risk. Blunt lateral dissection and implants that stay within the diameter of your breast offer you a very high chance of maintaining sensitivity. Good Luck!

Loss of Sensation is a Recognized Complication of Breast Augmentation & Can Occur in About 5% of Patients

Although breast augmentation is a relatively safe operative procedure, occasionally complications can occur. Loss of sensation is a recognized complication of breast augmentation and can occur in about five percent of patients. Loss of sensation may involve the breast skin or in more serious cases, the actual nipple areola complex. In the vast majority of cases, it’s a transient phenomenon that resolves with time, but in some cases, it may be permanent. The problem seems to occur more... more

Temporary vs Permanent Sensory Changes After Breast Augmentation

This is a more complicated questions than they seem! The simple answers are: yes temporarily sensation changes are common and yes there are things you can do to avoid this. Here is a more detailed summary of what we know to be true about sensation changes after augmentation: Temporary nipple/areola sensation changes are common, affecting the majority of patients. Some patients become too sensitive, while the majority are less sensitive. You will know... more

Loss of sensation after BAM

This loss of sensation is usually very limited and returns in a few days to weeks. There is a 5% incidence in continued loss of sensation with augmentation surgery. Recent studies have verified what was thought all along, that the larger the implant the higher the risk. A very precise technique is used to preserve the nerves and therefore the sensation.

Loss of Nipple Sensation after Breast Augmentation

The literature would indicate that there is a 15% chance of losing sensation to your nipple-areolar complex. Having said that, I think the numbers in the literature are very high. I certainly haven't had this problem with my augmentation surgery. Although the rates of sensation loss may be as high as 15%, a significant proportion of these cases will be temporary. It all depends on the degree of injury to the nerves that provide sensation to your nipple. If the nerves... more

Loss of Sensation after Breast Augmentation

Loss of sensation after breast augmentation is uncommon but dependent on 3 items. They are: 1. The size of the implant, 2. The site of surgical incision, 3. Surgical technique. There are 3 nerves that supply sensation to the breast and these may be stretched or cut during surgery. The nerves have numerous interconnecting branches. The most important things to consider is accurate planning, proper size, and good... more

Most women don't lose sensation afterwards

This is a point of discussion I go over with all my patients who come to me asking about breast augmentation. There is a small risk you might lose sensitivity on one side. But the risk depends more on the size of the implant than the inicsion or whether the implant is placed above or under the muscle. The anatomy involved with this issue has been researched very well. There are about three nerves that contribute to your feeling in the breast and they come out of... more

Dr. S’ 5 tips to minimize the loss of sensation after breast augmentation

1. Plan with your plastic surgeon your options. To minimize the chance of loss of sensations I advise patients to stay away from the incision around the nipple (areole) 2. Another alternative is to have an incision under the breast where the surgeon will go directly underneath the breast tissue (sub mammary) or the pec muscle (sub muscular. In doing so this will avoid any possible... more

Loss of sensation after breast implant is uncommon

Loss of sensation in the nipple/areola is fortunately an uncommon occurrence. In my experience, permanent loss of of sensation may be due to stretching of the sensory nerves by using very large implants causing a stretch injury or pressure on the nerves, extent of dissection which can damage the nerves, and the size of implant. I find that the location of the incision is not usually the reason for loss of sensation. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is important when... more

Nipple sensation loss after breast augmentation

Nipple sensitivity is very important to women and it is important to try to preserve this with breast augmentation. The nerves that supply sensation to the nipple come from the lateral portion of the breast. These nerves are always stretched as part of the procedure and sometimes can be cut. The nerves are often too small to see so they can be cut without knowing. If the nerves are cut then the nipples will often be permanently numb. This does not happen very... more

Loss of sensation possible with breast implants

On average, studies that have looked at loss of sensation after breast augmentation state that it happens about 15% of the time and is unrelated as to where the incision is. In general, smaller implants which require a smaller pocket tend to have a lower incidence of sensation loss than larger implants.

Sensation After Breast Augmentation

The loss of sensation after breast augmentation depends on 3 things: 1. your incision location 2. the size of the implant and 3. placement of the implant behind the pectoralis muscle. If there is any numbness, most of the sensation does return within 3 months of the procedure. However, the loss of sensation with an inframammary fold incision is less than other incisions. It is somewhat higher in the transaxillary and the periareolar incision. In summary, the loss of sensation is dependent... more

Rod J. Rohrich, MD

10 reviews

Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Nipple sensation after breast augmentation

Hello, In my experience the incidence of nipple/areola sensation loss after breast augmentation is very rare--perhaps close to 1%. This has been my experience regardless of the implant type (saline vs silicone) and incision used (inframammary, areola, axillary). I think nipple sensation loss is more likely to occurr when overdissection of the pocket on the side (laterally) is performed and perhaps when excessively large implants are used. All the best, Dr Repta more

Sensation loss after Breast Augmentation

Nerve tissue is the hardest to predict. Nerves generally do not like to be moved, squished, cut, etc; Roughly 85% of the time the sensation to the nipple will be the same. 10% of the time it will be decreased. 5% of the time it will be increased. Each patient is different. Best to sit down with your board certified plastic surgeon and go through all the possibilities.

Loosing sensitivity after breast augmentation.

If you loose sensitivity, chances are it will resolve over a few weeks to months. It is rare that you will loose sensitivity for good.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Loss of sensation after breast augmentation

Fortunately, permanent loss of sensation following breast augmentation is extremely rare. More common are temporary sensory changes that generally resolve quickly over several weeks. Having said that any cosmetic breast surgery (augmentation, lift, or reduction) does carry a small risk of permanent sensory changes to the breast. Again, this risk is very very low.

Loss of nipple sensation after breast augmentation surgery is not as common as you might think

Decreased nipple sensation, or loss of nipple sensation is one of the most severe complications expressed by our patients. Fortunately, it is not as common as we might think. Loss of nipple sensation is a result of injury to the nerve during breast augmentation surgery and is not directly related to the implant itself. When the implant is placed under the breast, or under the muscle, the nerve providing sensation to the nipple is located on the outside portion of the chest wall. The... more

Loss of nipple sensation after Breast Augmentation

It is very uncommon to permanently lose nipple sensation after breast augmentation surgery, although not impossible. To minimize this risk as much as possible, I recommend using the incision below the breast (in the infra-mammary crease), placing the implant under the muscle, and not using extremely large implants for your body to avoid over-stretching the nerves. Temporary loss of nipple sensation is also very uncommon, and I've not seen it last for longer than 6 months... more

Loss of nipple sensibility after breast augmentation is very rare.

Nipples may be hyposensitive (numb) or hypersensitive after breast augmentation, but this is limited. I have had patients complain of numb nipples for as long as 6 months after breast augmentation but I don't recall any patient having permanent loss of sensation. It's possible but very unlikely.

Nipples rarely fall asleep following BAM's

The quoted incidence of nipple insensitivity is between 10 and 15 percent following a BAM. Our studies confirmed closer to 5 percent. It may happen even in the best of hands. Very very rare to see two numb nipples. Dont go too big. gs

Loss of sensation after breast enlargement

There is a 10 to 15% chance of permanent reduction in nipple sensation following breast augmentation. Why? The breast implants not only stretch your skin and muscle, they also stretch the nerves that supply sensation to the nipples. The nerves usually recover--but not always. If you choose to undergo breast augmentation, keep in mind that larger implants stretch the nerves more than smaller implants. Regardless of the implant size, however, loss of nipple sensation remains an inherent... more

Loss of sensation in breast augmentation

There is always a risk of decreased sensation or loss of sensation to the breast or nipple areola after breast augmnetation, though the risk is small but it is there. The only precaution you can take is to choose an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. If you are still worried, then do not do the surgery.

Uncommon to lose sensation after breast augmentation

This is an uncommon complication. You may be referring to loss of sensation to the breast skin or to the nipple itself. It is not uncommon to have TEMPORARY decreased sensation to the breast skin immediately after the surgery, but this recovers. Regarding the nipples, this is an uncommon complication and is independent of the incision placement. If you have breast asymmetry, I would think the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the small chance of this happening to you. Good Luck!... more

Breast augmentation nuance

While there is a small chance that you can loose sensation in the nipple after breast implant, this is not something that happens often and I would not think that you should shy away from breast augmentation for this reason alone. In my practice in Santa Barbara, I prefer the inframammary approach for breast augmentation, and I have not seen any nipple numbness in my patients. Make sure you discuss this concern with your plastic surgeon, and he or she can perform some particular maneuvers... more

Loss of sensation after breast augmentation

All procedures do have the risk of loss of sensation. There are several different approaches used to place implants and each has its unique risk of sensory loss. Most physicians choose the approach they were taught in training and tend to lead the patient towards what they are most comfortable with. We perform over 1000 breast augmentations per year and used every approach from, nipple, crease, axilla, TUBA or TABA. The risk of sensory changes tends to be higher with IMF and NAC then through... more

Loss of nipple sensation after Breast Augmentation

There is a real risk of nerve loss after breast augmentation, but this can be ameliorated by careful dissection, inframammary incision placement, and minimal injury to the pectoralis fascia. Discuss these risks with your plastic surgery and ask for a real estimate of risks before you proceed.

Not by themselves.

Hello, Bigger implants requiring larger pockets may contribute to more numbness. Implants placed by surgeons making thin skin flaps (a technical issue) can also result in more numbness. Most patients see little change in their sensation unless they are going quite larger and/or are in inexperienced hands.

Possible loss of sensation

Sensation to the nipple is usually preserved with breast augmentation. The key word here is usually. Any surgery can cause loss of sensation. There has been a significant amount of research into nipple sensation. The cutaneous innervation of the female breast is derived medially from the anterior cutaneous branches of the Ist-VIth intercostal nerves and laterally from the lateral cutaneous branches of the IInd-VIIth intercostal nerves. The nipple-areola complex is consistently supplied by... more

Nipple Sensation After Breast Augmentation

Generally, there is minimal, partial, and usually temporary loss of nipple sensation following breast augmentation. I perform most breast augmentation (both above and below the muscle) through the peri-areolar approach, unless a patient has an existing incision in the inframammary fold below the breast, or unless I am using the cohesive gel textured implants, which generally require an incision larger than the diameter of the areola. I find that my patients often report a heightened... more

Sensation loss

It is not inevitable and in most cases patients will not loss sensation in their nipples. Most incisions are made away from the nipple, therefore avoiding any reason for loss of sensation.

Although most girls ask questions and express concerns...

Although most girls ask questions and express concerns about breast/nipple sensation during a preoperative consultations, the truth is that rarely it is a problem after surgery. Although loss of nipple sensation is certainly possible, it does not seem to be a common problem. What is even more interesting, loss of nipple sensation is not associated with particular incision site, as recent studies showed most loss occured during inframmary incisions. Therefore, nipple and axillary... more

Breast implant surgery rarely results in a permanent...

Breast implant surgery rarely results in a permanent loss of sensation. However, any surgery on the breast can possibly produce numbness and the only way to be assured that this will not happen is to not have the surgery. The other factors that increase the risk of sensory loss are the surgical technique and the size of the implant. Large implants stretch the nerves more and are more prone to causing numbness. If a patient experiences some loss of sensation after surgery, taking B complex... more

One theory: Larger breast implants increase chances of sensation loss

Loss of sensation is not very common. It can happen when placing implants. On the other hand, short term sensory change is quite common. This may be due to swelling and usually gets better within a few weeks after surgery. One theory: The larger the implant, the more likely it could happen. This may be due to stretching of the tissues ans subsequently the sensory nerve fibers that go to the nipple. There is no strong evidence suggesting any one incision is more likely to cause it. more

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Loss of sensation of the nipple and areola after breast...

Loss of sensation of the nipple and areola after breast augmentation is uncommon and is considered a complication of surgery. There should be no change in the sensation of the breast in a well performed breast augmentation. The sensory nerves to the breast can be stretched or cut during the procedure but the nerves are deep and off to the side of the chest, out of harms way with an appropriately chosen implant. The problem occurs when larger implants or implants that are too large for the... more

There are a lot of misconceptions about this, but it is...

There are a lot of misconceptions about this, but it is rarely a long-term problem. Many still tell their patients that the areolar margin incision has a higher incidence of sensory loss to the nipple, but more recent studies have disproven that. One study from Brazil found that larger implants have a higher risk of sensory loss, which makes sense because the dissection required to make a larger space for the implant may get closer to where the nerves are. The take-home message is that it... more