I have numbness after gyno surgery. Is it permanent?

Question

I underwent Gyno surgery almost 8 years ago on both nipples. To this day I have no sensation in the right portion of the right chest area. Should I finally go back to see my doctor? Is there any hope of regaining sensation?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, temporary or permanent changes to nipple sensation are possible complications from gynecomastia surgery. Since you are well  out of the range of healing time from surgery it is unlikely this is sensation will return.  It is worth it to follow up with your surgeon if you have more concerns

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Your numbness is permanent at this point. Usually sensory recovery occurs in the first 12-18 months after surgery. DrBurnett#realself100

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I am sorry, but after 8 years if the sensation has not improved, then I would say it won't get better. Usually after about a year one knows this.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I am sorry to hear about your concerns after gynecomastia surgery.  Based on the timeframe you  described, I do not think that sensation will return.  If it does return, it will be on a very slow/gradual basis as surrounding nerve endings are "recruited". Returning to your plastic will not be helpful in this regard.   Best wishes.

Bruce K. Barach, MD (retired) · Answer

though this is a rare complication, numbness that is present 8 years after surgery is not likely to change or to be remediable. sorry.....hope the contour improvement was a resonable trade  for this inconvenience.

I have numbness after gyno surgery. Is it permanent?

Answers (5)