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Can the Patient Still Have Sensation After Breast Reduction?

asked 2 years ago by Curious1971 in Philadelphia, PA
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,126 times
Tags: breasts, sensation loss

18 answers to Can the Patient Still Have Sensation After Breast Reduction?

+2

Loss of nipple sensation and/or nursing/lactation ability following breast reduction

This depends on tthe extent and technique used to accomplish the breast reduction. However as Dr. Aldea and Rand point out, it is not a common occurence in the average patient. Sensation and nursing are possible after breast reduction but due to the medicolegal climate in the USA, we must inform patients that this is a potential risk in the unusual event it does occur.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Reduction and Sensation?

Thank you for the question. The majority of patients who undergo breast reduction surgery will retain the nipple/ areola sensation. However, patients should be aware that some numbness is a potential risk. Most patients who have suffered the symptomatology associated with breast hypertrophy are willing to accept these risks. However, if any patient contemplating any type of breast surgery cannot accept this potential risk, she should not have the procedure... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sensation and breast reduction

Most women retain sensation in their nipples after breast reduction if they had it to begin with.  About 15% will have a permanent change at one year post-op.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Most women have nipple sensitivity after breast reduction

Most techniques for breast reduction leave the nipples attached to the underlying breast tissue (and thus to the nerves) so that nipple sensitivity is preserved. Occasionally, nipple sensitivity is lost or diminished. Discuss with your plastic surgeon his or her technique and results.
Michael D. Yates, MD

Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Absolutely possible to have nipple sensation after breast reduction

It is absolutely possible to have a breast reduction done and still have nipple sensation after the surgery. It's also possible to have INCREASED sensation after surgery, since there's not as much "stretch" on the nerves. More people maintain sensation than lose sensation, so the odds are very much in your favor.
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

The type of breast surgery affects nipple sensation

My opinion is that patients who are having very large amounts of breast tissue removed will have a higher chance of nipple sensation loss or partial numbness. Patients having smaller breast reductions or just a breast lift seem to rarely have sensation problems. My personal exerience is that the vertical scar (vs. the anchor scar) technique preserves sensation a little better.
John LoMonaco, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Do you still have sensation in the breast after a reduction?

Hi Curious 1971 - Yes, you should maintain some sensation to the breast and nipple/areola after a reduction. The sensation may be better (less pulling on the nerves,) worse (most reductions involve incisions around the areola,) or the same. I actually did research on this and the abstract from that paper is as follows: Aesthet Surg J. 2004 Jul-Aug;24(4):320-3. Comparison study of nipple-areolar sensation after reduction mammaplasty.Schreiber JE, Girotto JA, Mofid MM, Singh N, Nahabedian... more
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

www.BaltimorePlasticSurgery.com

+1

Yes

You should expect some permanent numbness especially in the scar areas.  The nippes which are the most important thing usually are fine.  There is approximately a 15% chance that you will loose all or some sensation in one or both nipples which may be permanent. sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Typical patient still has sensation after breast reduction

As poionted out by ther other doctors the vast majority of patients maintain or regain normal sensation to their breast and nipple. There is a common misconception that during brest reduction or breast lift that the nipple and areolar are removed and then resewn to the higher postion. In fact the areola/nipple is left attached to the breast tissue in almost all cases of reductions. The skin around the areola is simply lifted and retightened and a new opening is made for the areola to come... more
Robert B. Pollack, MD

La Jolla Plastic Surgeon
+1

Patients often have increased sensation in the nipple area after breast reduction

There is certainly a 15-20 % chance of losing the sensation to the nipple areolar complex after breast reduction surgery, but in my experience and as reported in previous articles, there is often an increase in sensation. While rare, it is real and some women are not willing to take this risk. If that is the case then I think you aught to consider the surgery carefully. On the other hand the benefits of a reduction mammoplasty are dramatic. The biggest complaint I hear after surgery is,... more
Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD

Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nipple sensation change post breast reduction depends on technique

The degree of change of nipple sensation depends on the technique used for the reduction, as well as the amount of tissue removed. Approximately 10% of patients have decreased sensation post procedure in my practice. Many patients conversely report an improvement in nipple sensation, and most patients remain unchanged. Despite the risks of changes in nipple sensation, breast reduction patients are often the most satisfied patients because of the significant improvement in their lifestyle... more
Wilfred Brown, MD

Fairfield Plastic Surgeon
+1

You can have normal sensation after breast reduction

Yes, you can have normal sensation after breast reduction and most studies show that the majority of patients do have the same sensation before and after. The problem is that some patients will have loss of sensation and that patient may be you. If you have a breast reduction you need to be aware that you might have a reduction of sensation.
John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

WIll I lose nipple sensation after breast reduction?

This is a very common question. A lot of patients report decreased sensitivity after breast reduction. What is important to know is that most patients actually do not have a change in their sensation. THe nipple actually receives sensation from nerves that come from the inside and the outside of the breast. It was previously thought that most of the sensation comes from the outside, but it can come from the inside of the breast as well. Unfortunately, we cannot know if you will be in the... more
Sirish Maddali, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

My patients usually do have sensation after breast reduction

Hello, Most patients are able to keep breast sensation after breast reduction. The technique and the nature of the breast before surgery does have something to do with it however.
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nipple sensation more likely to be retained than lost after Breast Reduction

You are far more likely to retain nipple sensation following a breast reduction than you are likely to lose it. It is somewhat technique dependent. In my experience, the chance of loss of nipple sensation is 5% or less. It is more common to experience a period of time when the nipples are unusally sensative for several days following reductions.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

There is a slight loss of sensation after breast reduction

As previous expert poster have stated 10% to 15 % reduction or loss of nipple/areolae sensation. This is an accurate assessment. Make sure you fully understand this issue before proceeding with the breast reduction surgery. 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Numbness after Breast Reduction

The vast majority of women (85% or so) do NOT lose feeling to the breasts and nipples - only a minority do. BUT, as surgeons, we do not know if you are going to be in the 15% who lose sensation or the 85% who do not lose sensation. Dr. P Aldea
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sensation after breast reductions

A breast reduction is an excellent way to decrease the size and weight of the breasts and can be done with a very aesthetic shape by a surgeon who is a good sculptor.  Permanent numbness is a small risk of any breast surgery and I would quote a 10% risk to my own patients.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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