Is the nipple Sensation always less After Breast Reduction?

Are certain techniques going to cause permanent loss and others going to leave a chance that the sensation will return? How much less sensitivity should be expected?

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Nipple sensation after Breast Reduction

Athough most patient's will have near normal nipple sensation after breast reduction, some studies have noted reduced nipple sensation in 10% to 15% of patients having breast reduction. A small percentage of patients will note hypersensitivity of the nipples following breast reduction but this usually resolves over time. If the breasts are very massive or pendulous, the nipples may have to be removed from the breast tissue and replaced as free skin grafts... more

Loss of nipple sensation after breast reduction

With most techniques of breast reduction, loss of nipple sensation is rare. The nipple/areola complex is not disrupted from its underlying tissue or nerve supply. It is common for parts of the rest of the breast to become numb, typically the lower portion. This is usually not very noticeable. If a free nipple graft technique is used (The nipple areola are completely cut away from the breast and reapplied as a graft), nipple loss of sensation would be expected and is... more

Is the nipple Sensation always less After Breast Reduction?

There are mostly decreases in sensation but very infrequently there can be increased. In general 15% of N/A have some sensory changes.

Nipple sensation after breast reduction

I think that in general most people have normal sensation aftera pedicled breast reduction, but there are studies that suggest that there is about a 10-15% report of permanent changes in sensation at 1 yr after surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Nipple sensation after breast reduction

On average loss of nipple sensation after a breast reduction procedure occurs in about 10-15% of cases. The incidence is much in techniques that utilize a pedicle (nipple stays attached to blood supply). Some extreme breast hypertrophy cases mandate the use of free nipple grafts where the nipple is removed, thinned, and replaced on well perfused tissue. Sensation loss after this technique is 100% immediately following surgery, but sensation can... more

Nipple sensation following breast reduction

You are correct in assuming that some techniques for reduction mammaplasty are more likely to preserve sensation to the nipple-areola complex than others. In my experience of several hundred inferior pedicle and central mound procedures, the most common sensory outcome is increased nipple sensitivity following the operation. This seems to last for at least several months, during my follow up period. Although I cannot offer evidence to support my assumption, I believe that nipple sensation... more

Free nipple graft technique will result in permanent loss of sensation

Preservation of nipple sensation is one of the most frequently fielded questions for both breast reduction and breast lift patients. Although large busted women may frequently have slightly less sensation, (possibly due to nerve stretch), current breast reduction techniques, which rely on a "pedicle" keeping the nipple supplied by one of its principal neurovascular (blood and nerve) supply should ensure that nipple sensation will remain intact. Patients usually observe... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

22 reviews

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Nipple Sensation Likely To Be Normal After Reduction

Although there are women who have permanent loss of nipple sensation after breast reduction, it is much more common (in my experience) to have normal nipple sensation after a period of time. There can be a temporary decrease in sensation, but I find a temporary period of hypersensitivity to be more common.

Permanent Loss of Nipple Sensation after Breast Reduction

What is the expected loss of nipple sensation after Breast Reduction? First, many women with extremely large breasts do not have preoperative sensation because of the pull on the breast and the distance from the nerve roots to the nipples. Occasionally, women have better sensation after the surgery. Most patients loose sensation for 6 - 8 weeks after surgery. The Inferior pedicle technique has the best results when considering only nipple sensation retention... more

Nipple Sensation after Breast Reduction Surgery

While most patients have some reduction in nipple sensation after a breast reduction surgery, it is usually temporary and returns in a few days to weeks. However, it some cases the change may be permanent. Less commonly the nipple may become more sensitive.