Will Nipple and Breast Numbness After Breast Implants Go Away?

asked 3 years ago by SaraJane in Minneapolis
Latest answer by Sutton Graham II, MD
Question viewed 6,274 times

I had breast augmentation 2 weeks ago, and my nipples and a large part of my breasts are numb. Is this normal, and will it go away? I started as a 34A, and had 375 cc's, putting me currently in the C-D range. I'm about 5'5", 120 lbs, light frame. My skin feels really tight, like it still hasn't stretched enough, and sometimes I feel like I have a tiny bit of heat rash on them. The crease scars still hurts a little, but nothing unbearable. More than anything, I want the sensation to return. Any advice?

7 answers to Will Nipple and Breast Numbness After Breast Implants Go Away?

Numbness improves over weeks and months

SaraJane: The numbness you experience at 2 weeks post-op will almost certainly improve. Some of it may resolve in the next few weeks. At least, you should notice changing sensations; numbness progressing to tingling progressing to decreased feeling, then hopefully normal sensation. Final improvement could take 6-18 months. In most studies permanent numbness rates are about 15%, but most patients feel altered sensation early on during their recovery.

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

The sensation will most likely return

The sensation should return over the next few weeks, but it may take several months or more. I don't think it's anything to worry about at the moment: be patient, heal well, and things should settle down and the sensation return in a few weeks time.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Will return

Your surgery was just two weeks ago and some numbness is expected in the early postoperative period. The larger the implant and the more your skin stretches the more likely that you will experience numbness. Some patients develop hypersensitive nipples for a while. Your numbess will likely return but may take months or even over a year. Some patients do lose their nipple sensation permanently and that is something discussed prior to surgery as a risk that should be considered. Be patient... more

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Numbness after augmentation mammoplasty

Numbness and tightness occur after any operation where the skin and muscle are undermined. Remember just 2 wks. ago you were an A cup and now your skin is stretching to accommodate the prostheses and your brain needs time to relearn what your breasts feel like. Be patient . It may take up to a year to feel "normal" again.

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Change in sensation

A temporary change in sensation is normal. About 85% of patients get their normal sensation back but it may take months in some. Usually, the larger you go, the more dissection, the more the sensory nerves are affected. Some will have hypersensitivity rather than numbness.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

It takes 6-8 weeks for things to settle down after a augmentation Mamoplasty

It is quite normal for there to be tightness, numbness and imperfect shape after augmentation mamoplasty. The tightness and shape should resolve with in 6-8 weeks. Some women who have had children are faster because they have already had their breast stretched out with their pregnancy. The numbness over the breast skin usually gets better but some times there are small areas that may persist for ever. With the nipple areolar area numbness, it too often comes back in 6-8 week but there is a... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates