Loss of Nipple Sensation After Breast Augmentation? Does this frequently occur? And if so, is it permanent?

All surgery carries the risk of complication. One such complication of breast augmentation surgery would be partial or full loss of nipple sensation. This occurs in approximately 5% of people who undergo this procedure. 

Complete loss of nipple sensation happens in about 5% of patients undergoing breast augmentation surgery.  Studies have shown that the incision is really not the deciding factor here.  The common denominator is the size of the implant.  The larger the implants placed the greater the risk of nipple sensation.In certain cases there can be decrease or loss of sensation and in others there may be hypersensitivity.  In either case it may take 6-12 months before the sensation returns to normal.  In the majority of cases, patients do fine.Hope that helps.

While temporary numbness is expected early after any surgery in the immediate area of the procedure, prolonged or permanent loss of sensation is very rare. The majority of breast augmentation regain complete sensation within a few days to weeks after surgery although occasionally it can take months to return. Rarely a small number (well less than 5%) of women may have some permanent areas of numbness.

While there is always a risk of permanent numbness and sensation loss with breast augmentation surgery, the risk is usually small. Normally there is temporary numbness initially after surgery that improves over time. Incisions at the areola seem to have an increased likelihood of losing sensation. Incision at the inframmamary crease can reduce the chance of sensation loss. I recommend having a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss all of your questions and concerns so that you can make an informed decision.

Loss
of nipple sensation is quite infrequent, about 5 percent.  In most cases, the sensation will return.  The key to success is in
finding a board certified plastic surgeon with expertise in cosmetic breast surgery
- know before you go!

This is an excellent question. In order to place an implant a "pocket" needs to be created to accommodate the chosen implant. The very act of creating that pocket means that the many nerves are "disturbed", and this is completely unavoidable. The nipples are an important erogenous zone so the prospect of altering sensation here must be clearly understood.I inform all my patients that several things can happen to breast nipple sensation after augmentation surgery:
Nipple sensation can remain unchanged to that of the pre-operative stateOr, the nipple sensation can increase to the point of being too sensitive and sometimes painfulOr, the nipple sensation can decrease to the point of being numb.
If the nipple sensation does change after surgery, within 12 months most women have returned to there preoperative state. However, up to 10% remain with permanently altered nipple sensation - either too much or not enough.In addition to the nipple, other parts of the breast can have altered sensation. For example, sensation between the scar within the lower breast fold and the lower edge of your areolar is often reduced. There is a good chance this will not return to normal.

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 considering surgery, as it will lower your chances of complications.

Loss of sensation can occur particularly while swelling exists. However, it’s usually never permanent and goes away in a few months, once the swelling subsides.

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 5% of patients.Loss of sensation may involve the breast skin
or, in more serious cases, the actual nipple areola complexes.In the vast majority of cases, it is a
transient phenomena that resolves with time but, in some cases, it may be
permanent.The
problem seems to occur more frequently when larger implants are used.This tends to stretch nerves and compress
them as well, resulting in loss of sensation.It’s important that you discuss this issue thoroughly with your plastic
surgeon before proceeding with breast augmentation.Although relatively rare, there’s no question
that loss of nipple areola sensation can potentially occur with this procedure.

Hello! Thank you for your question! Breast procedures such as the
breast lift and breast reduction certainly result in a more shapely,
perky, and fuller appearance of your breasts along with raising of the
nipple-areolar complex to an appropriate position. Since there is an
incision made around the areola along with some rearrangement of tissue
of the breast, there is a risk, albeit very small, of change in
sensation to the area. The reported rate of sensation changes
(decreased, loss, or increased) is ~7%. In my experience, this rate is
reportedly much lower, but is higher when tissue is excised or the
amount of lift that is needed, so the breast reduction procedure has a
slightly greater risk. It can take up to a year for sensation to return.  The chance of having sensation loss in breast augmentation is lower, but still present.  It may take up to a year for sensation to return.It is one risk of such a procedure, and
one that you must consider, amongst others, as with any surgical
procedure. You should consult with a plastic surgeon well-trained in
breast procedures who will examine and discuss with you the various
risks and benefits of the procedure(s) and assist you in deciding if
such a procedure will be the right decision for you.