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Pain, Swelling, Nipple Sensitivity After Breast Augmentation Surgery

I am 61 years old, and I had small C cup breast implants placed 3 weeks ago. My nipples and the surrounding area are now very sore and feels a very painful, burning sensation. Are these normal post-procedure? What can I do to ease the condition?

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age 55-64 C cup pain swelling 3 weeks post-op recovery sore

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32 Doctor Answers | Asked by POPPYTEETO in U.K.

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Nipple hypersensitivity could be dysesthesia

Do you know how painful and hypersensitive your leg is when it "falls asleep" and then wakes up? That pins and needles type of feeling? It's even painful to walk on. Sometimes, do you have to stamp your foot to get it to feel normal? That is one type of dysesthesia that is due to compression of the nerve in your thigh. Similar problems occur with nerves in your breast that travel to your nipple. When the implant stretches and rests on them, the nerves can be painful and tingling... more

Breast pain of this type is called a dyesthesia

The medical term for this condition is dyesthesia or hyperesthesia. Typically patients report a deep burn or ache response from only a light touch or stroke. Often clothing or bra can rub against the area causing this discomfort. On rare occasions there can even be disruptions in sleeping. This condition is often caused by stretching of the nerves, either at the time of surgery or due to the size and location of the implant. A stretched or bruised nerve can often have this problem. ... more

Hypersensitivity should disappear within 2 months.

In general, we advise our San Francisco area breast augmentation patients to expect some change in sensation immediately after surgery. Many patients report hypersensitivity, and some can't even put a night gown on without feeling "super-sensitive." These symptoms quickly resolve and usually disappear by 2-3 months after surgery. Burning sensations, "knife-like" sensations, stabbing sensations are also all a normal part of the postoperative course and should disappear... more

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Recovery of nipple sensation depends on how the implant was inserted

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported that a minority of women who received saline-filled breast implants approved in May 2000 experienced nipple sensation changes after having a breast augmentation. Three years following surgery 5 to 9% of women had intense nipple sensation while 8 to 10% lost nipple sensation. Five years following surgery 10% of women had intense or lost sensation. [1] During a breast augmentation, the surgeon may take three common approaches to insert... more

Some Discomfort & Swelling Is Normal, but...

From this message board, we can't tell much about your individual situation, but many patients have different types of discomfort, pain, and hypersensitivity of their nipples after routine augmentation. The more acute postop pain should subside within a few days. On the other hand, various types of sensitivity are common for weeks or months later, but usually aren't bothersome to most patients. Swelling of the areola is seen, but less frequently in my experience. If this is accompanied by... more

Pain or nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation

I have included a link to a picture with schematics to explain what is happening. Basically, the nerves get stretched when they loop around the implant on the side chest wall. It should improve with time. Massage the area of the side chest wall as it meets the implant. After a few times you will know where the problem nerve is, then focus on it.

Nipple pain after breast augmentation

Hypersensitivity of the nipple and areola after breast implant surgery is normal and is indicative of nerve preservation during your surgery. Once the nerve to the nipple returns to its normal functional state, nipple sensation will be returned to normal. This may take weeks to several months. More worrisome is a loss of nipple sensation.

Nipple Hypersensitivity after breast aug

This is common and will generally resolve over time. It may take up to 6 months before the soreness goes away. You call also try desensitization exercises to help with the hypersensitivity but that my be unnecessary. Good luck.

Nipple sensitivity and pain during recovery

You are likely experiencing returning sensation from nerves that were likely stretched at time of surgery. When this happens, the nerves feel like they "go to sleep" for about a month, and then they "wake up" with the sensations you descripe- pins and needles, shooting pains, burning pains, hypersensitivity to light touch, etc. This does pass over time, but you should ask your doctor to demonstrate de-sensitization exercises to help it along.

Nerve and breast augmentation

Part of the question regarding nipple pain post-operatively should involve a discussion of the approach used for your breast augmentation. Was it through the areola (the dark area near your nipple)? If it wasn't and infection has been ruled out the pain may be transmitted from stretch, or less likely, direct trauma to nerves that provide sensation to the nipple. If your pain is associated with an incision near your areola then this may be a sign of cutaneous nerve injury which should... more

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