I'm Scared of Losing Sensation on my Nipple, What Implants Are Too Large? (photo)

I'm 19 years old, I'm 5'5 and I weigh 155. I'm a size AAcup. and I'm going to get my breasts done in less than two months. I'm going to a full C cup.(420cc). My sister just got her breasts done for the second time, she didn't lose sensation the first time (implant under muscle)(320cc) but she did the second time when it was put over (600cc). Ive read that if the implant is too big your at greater risk. Would I be in that category? AA to C (420cc)? If so, I have enough time to back out.

Tags:

Comment on this

7 Doctor Answers | Asked by Chrissy_02 in Los Angeles, CA

Doctor Answers (7)
Community Comments (0)

Nipple sensation loss after breast augmentation

Unfortunately, losing sensation in your nipple after breast augmentation is a very real possibility. Fortunately it does not happen often. I do not believe that it is implant size related. I tell my patients that if nipple sensation is the key to your happiness, perhaps breast surgery of any kind is not for you. Many times, patients experience some change in their nipple sensation after breast surgery, but most often this change is only temporary. This can include decreased sensitivity or... more

Sensation loss and breast augmentation

There is a small risk of sensation loss with ANY implant, but the risk grows with the size of the implant. This is from stretching of the nerves and having to make a bigger pocket for a bigger implant. The changes can be temporary or they can be permanent. There is no line in the sand of implant size where below the line you are safe and above the line you are at risk.

Nipple sensation after breast surgery

Chrissie, Our goal is for you to have normal sensation after breast surgery if it was normal before. However, there are some patients who have some change in their sensation afterwards. It is important to chose an implant that fits your body and is not too wide which would put additional stress on the nerves that provide the sensation. The larger the implant you chose, especially in your case with not a lot of skin stretch available, the greater the chance of decreased sensation. The... more

Nipple sensation changes

About 85% of patients have normal sensation at a year with breast surgery. No one know for sure what the etiology is. It could be direct injury to the sensory nerves to the nipple, it could also be from stretch.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Nipple Sensation after Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question and picture. Hopefully, you are aware that loss of nipple/areola sensation can occur even with the use of small implants and under the best of surgical care. If this loss would be “devastating” you should not undergo the procedure. Unfortunately, there is no predicting what size of implant will increase your risks of loss of sensation. It may behoove you to really consider the pros/cons of breast augmentation surgery based on reputable... more

Scared of Losing Sensation on my Nipple, What Implants Are Too Large?

Respectfully, I think you have a wrong idea of what "complication" (such as loss of nipple sensation) means. By definition, a complication is an unwanted POSSIBLE event which cannot be prevented (bleeding, infection, ugly scar, numb nipple(s) etc). IF choosing one breast implant over another could prevent nipple numbness in breast augmentation MOST Plastic surgeons could avoid this event. But - that is NOT the case. The location of the nerves along the side of the breast makes them... more

Sensation to nipple CAN be lost with any kind, size, or incision choice.

Usually nipple sensation is provided courtesy of your 4th lateral intercostal nerve, and sometime branches of the 3rd and 5th. Every patient has one or more of these tiny nerve branches which cannot be specifically singled out for "avoidance" during the surgical creation of your implant pocket. About 5-10% of my patients experience loss of nipple areola sensation on one or both sides. Since these nerve branches course along the side of the chest wall into the breast, dissection... more