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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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32 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
POPPYTEETO
in U.K.
+6
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...
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+5
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. ...
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+4
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...
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+3
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...
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+3
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...
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+2
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.
+2
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.
+2
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.
+2
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.
+2
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...
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+2
Most likely normal
Hi-
It is not uncommon to have an increase in nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation. Most often this subsides with time, as the nerves to the nipple adjust to the presence of the implant. The fact that you are having it on both sides is encouraging and makes it less likely you have a larger problem.
I would discuss it with your surgeon and make sure that nothing else is going on, but assuming there is no other problem I would expect it to improve with time. Until then, take pain...
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+1
Nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation
It is very common to have extra sensitive nipple/areolae after surgery. The nerves are waking up after the stretch they are put on during surgery. This alway dissipates and I have never seen it be permanent. It may take a few months, though, and you may need to pad your nipples with bandages or cloth and tape. Best wishes, Dr. G. Diehl
+1
Pain after breast augmentation
Yes, these sensations are to be expected after breast augmentation. It is due to the nerves being stretched and inflamed. NSAID's are the best for these symptoms(motrin, celebrex,etc)
+1
Nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation.
Thank you for your question. The pain and hypersensitivity of the nipple that you are describing can happen after breast augmentation in the early recovery phase. Rest assured that this resolves after a short period of time.
Following breast augmentation, the nerves that supply the sensation to the nipple can be affected. For some women, this can manifest as a very sensitive and in some cases, painful nipple. During this early phase, the nipple is easily irritated by bras and even...
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+1
Sensitivities Following Breast Augmentation are Common; These Symptoms Usually Resolve in 6-8 Wks After Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is often accompanied by pain, swelling, and nipple hyper-sensitivity. These are essentially normal findings which usually resolve on their own.
The burning sensation that you describe is known as a dyesthesia. It’s very similar to what happens when your leg falls asleep. The phenomena occurs when nerves are compressed or stretched. During and after breast augmentation surgery this is exactly what happens to the nerves that supply the nipple. The breast implant...
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+1
Nipple sensitivity
Good question. Every patient has some change in sensibility in the nipples postoperatively. It is usually transient and goes away in 6 months. You can try "stickies" on the nipples.
+1
Pain, Swelling, Nipple Sensitivity After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Extra sensitivity to the point of being uncomfortable can be normal after breast augmentation. Also, tingling, burning, electrical sensations and itching can occur. These sensations can result from the stretching and compression of the nerves that happens when the implants are placed.
It is always important to talk to your plastic surgeon when you have concerns, but if your symptoms are from nerve compression and stretching they will resolve on their own over the first 6-8 weeks in most...
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+1
Pain, Swelling, Nipple Sensitivity After Breast Augmentation Surgery
It is normal to have some pain and swelling after breast augmentation surgery. Many times the nipple-areolar complex will have hypersensitivity or dysethesia due to stretching of the sensory nerves during surgery. This sensation will usually resolve on its own without treatment.
+1
Symptoms post breast augmentation
Hello. There are a variety of symptoms that patients experience after breast augmentation and yours sound like they are within the normal range for 3 weeks post surgery. I would recommend you schedule an appointment with your surgeon to be evaluated and discuss any concerns you may have.
+1
Nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation.
Hello,
If there are no other issues such as redness or signs of infection your symptoms described sounds like nipple sensitivity following breast augmentation. Although many women worry about the loss of sensation following augmentation, I think it is far more common to have overy sensitivity. I would recommend that you regularly massage the areas of sensitivity as this seems to help. This along with time usually results in the sensitivity issue correcting itself...
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+1
Pain and discomfort after breast augmentation
3 weeks after surgery you are still healing and there are changes going on within the surgical area. What you are describing is a hypersensitive nerve sensation after the nerve has been bruised or stretched during the surgery. In most situations this sensation will improve and go away. In a very small proportion of patients it may not and specific medication for nerve pain may be tried to relieve the discomfort. In the mean time you may try applying icepack for short...
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+1
Nipple and breast sensation changes after breast augmentation
It is entirely normal to have nipple and breast sensation changes. Initially, the nerves "go to sleep" with reduced sensation, then they wake up and are often hypersensitive. This may take up to a year to calm down. Sometimes, there is permanent partial or complete loss of sensation, but this is unusual.
+1
Nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation generally improves
Nipple sensitivity can be effected positively or negatively after breast augmentation. For some, the nipples gain projection after augmentation and the rubbing on clothing or the bra increases sensitivity.
It sounds like yours is simple dysethesia early after surgery and I would expect it to improve.
+1
Nipple sensitivity is usually a temporary phenomena
During breast surgery, the nerves to the skin, including the nipple are stretched and sometimes cut during the dissection. They exit from beneath the ribs cross through the breast tissue. Usually, the hypersensitivity and pain resolves within 2-3 weeks. I have my patient's keep some ointment and a Band-Aid over the nipple so that their bra does not rub against it.
+1
Pain after Breast augmentation is very common
The type of discomfort you are experiencing 3 weeks after your breast augmentation is very common. It usually presents between two-to 4 weeks after surgery and it will usually last about 6 weeks or so. It is unusual for patients to continue to complain about this type of hypersensitivity and 3 months after surgery.
As one of the panelist as mentioned, this is due to stretching of the nerves to either the skin of the breast or, more commonly, the nipple. The nerve responds to the stretching...
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+1
Swelling and Pain in the nipple is normal in the early weeks after augmentation.
Changes in sensation and swelling are quite normal after augmentation. Not uncommonly, women will develop hypersensitivity after implants for the first few weeks. Although uncomfortable, it is a good sign that normal sensation will be present down the road. If a periareolar incision was used, the swelling should resolve very soon as the incision heals. Gentle massage of the nipple with moisturizing creams is very effective in eliminating both the swelling and pain. This should be done at...
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+1
This sounds within normal ranges
There are a wide variety of symptoms that patients experience after breast augmentation and yours sound like they are within the normal range for 3 weeks post operatively. Check with your surgeon to be sure though!
+1
A Little Pain With The Gain?
It is not uncommon to have some hypersensitivity of the nipple and areola areas following Breast Augmentation. This may last for several weeks, until you "accommodate" to the increased sensation that may be a result of stretching of the nerves or exposure of more nerve endings due to your breasts being larger. The good news is that you did not lose any sensitivity of the nipples, but too much of a good thing may not be a blessing in this case.
I recommend a low dose of...
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Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Swelling and redness after breast augmentation could be signs of infection
Swelling and redness at times is a sign of infection, and at other times is normal increase in blood flow to the area that is healing. You need to see your plastic surgeon and be evaluated.
+1
Hypersensitivity is normal.
You can gently massage the painful areas and the sensation should improve with more massage.
+1
Sensation is a good thing
Nipple/areola hypersensitivity is a common occurence after breast augmentation surgery. The fact that both nipples are involved makes it highly unlikely that an infection is present. Talk it over with your surgeon.
+1
Burning sensation and swelling post augmentation not uncommon
Burning sensations and swelling a few weeks after breast augmentation are common. However, if there is redness or severe swelling and severe pain, you should follow-up with your doctor.
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