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Will I Lose Sensitivity in My Nipples when I Have a Breast Lift?

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nipples sensitivity

16 Doctor Answers | Asked by 820044anon in phoenix

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Nipple sensation after breast lift (mastopexy)

The nerves to the nipples travel through the breast tissue, not through the skin. A proper breast lift should include some sort of remodelling of the breast tissue. Therefore there is some risk of a change in nipple sensation with this operation, about 10%. (None of this is due to the incisions in the skin, however.) Just keep in mind that all surgery involves some risk.

Sensory changes with breast lift.

Breast lift often involves breast tissue incision, small volume excision or breast transposition to remodel the breast. These procedures may reduce nipple sensation.

Loss of Nipple Sensitivity is a Variable Risk with Breast Lift

Hi there- The risk of nipple sensation exists with any operation on the breast, and will be greater as the complexity of the operation increases, but when well-executed by an experienced surgeon certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery, the risks should be acceptably low.

Loss of Nipple Sensation after Breast Lifting?

Thank you for the question. Yes there is a risk of loss or change of nipple/ areola sensation with breast lifting surgery. Exact percentages are hard to come by but my estimation would be 5 to 10% risk of a decreased or complete loss of sensation with this operation. Patients must weigh this risk (along with many others) against the benefits of the procedure when contemplating breast lifting surgery. I hope this helps.

Loss of nipple sensation with breast lift ( mastopexy)

The poteintial for loss of nipple sensation will depend on the extent of the surgery and the use of implants. More extensive lifts will have a higher risk whereas smaller lifts would be highly unlikely to cause diminished senstivity. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

32 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

You are unlikely to lose nipple sensitivity after a breast lift.

Since a breast lift addresses a discrepancy between your skin volume and your breast tissue, it is unlikely that you will lose sensation. However, any surgery on or near the breast could theoretically lead to some loss of sensation. Usually this is temporary, but a rare case can be permanent.

Nipple Sensitivity and Breast Lifts

In my experience, loss of nipple sensitivity after a lift is common for a short period of time (meaning the first two to four months after surgery) but rarely permanent. In my experience, the chance of permanent loss of nipple sensitivity is less than 5 percent. However, there also seems to be no reliable way to predict who loses sensitivity versus who doesn't. Your best bet is to ask a trusted plastic surgeon about his or her own experience with this issue.

Sensation of the nipples after mastopexy breast lift

Nipple sensation should be gauged before surgery. Most patients will retain nipple sensation, some will have higher rates of sensation, and a small percentage may have diminished sensation. It all depends on the surgery that was performed.

Nipple sensation after a breast lift

It is difficult to say what your final sensory exam will be like after a breast lift. Most patients retain normal sensation but there is a small percentage that will not.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Lose Sensitivity in My Nipples

There is no correct answer here only degrees. Or the %'s of numbness occurring is 20% on average. So if you completely understand there is ALWAYS a risk that you can proceed. If these #'s concern you that reconsider.

Breast sensation after breast lifting

While there can never be a guarantee of no sensation with ANY breast surgery, the possibility of numbness after a breast lift should be exceedingly small.

Most breasts maintain sensibility after lifts

Losing sensibility after a breast lift is a risk, but it is surprisingly rare, and when it happens, it is usually just one area of the breast skin, a portion of the nipple/areola, or slightly reduced in degree. It is very rare to have complete and permanent numbness of the nipple/areola. It also depends on what kind of lift you will be having, which depends on your degree of ptosis. Remember some temporary numbess is common, but improves over weeks or months. more

Should NOT Lose Sensation after Breast Lift

If done correctly, in a well though out and safe manner, the risks of permanent sensation loss should be around 0.1%. Complications can happen, but if you avoid disrupting the breast architecture as much as possible, then the rates should be extremely small. You will have temporary nerve sensation changes for 2-3 months, but everything should come back to normal. I hope this helps.

BreastLift Techniques can Maintain Sensation to the Nipples

There are a number of breast lift surgical methods which can maintain sensation to your nipples. Skin only excsions do not involve deep cutting and can help reshape the breast. The sensation to your nipples comes from deep and lateral so you can choose with your surgeon the technique that works best for your shape while maintaining sensation.

Nipple sensation usually safe after breast lift

We have few complaints of lost nipple sensation after a breast lift procedure, though of course there is a risk. Breast feeding also is not a problem for most. The risk of sensory loss can increase if a reduction of tissue is needed for symmetry. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd