Things are still numb 6 months post-op. Will feeling ever come back?

Question

So May 11 will be my 6 month mark since my tummy tuck & breast implants. Is it normal that I still don’t have any feeling in my nipples nor below my belly button? Will the feeling ever come back?

Aisha White, MD · Answer

Although it sometimes can be permanent, numbness after surgery is more commonly temporary and will slowly resolve over a year or more.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear family4me,
Numbness is very common. It depends on the operation but often times sensation can return in a couple of weeks, a year, or not at all.  Nipple sensation itself is very important and can sometimes be lost with breast surgery. This is often mentioned in the risks of the consent process. I imagine your numbness is just temporary although I would have to examine you.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Alex Campbell, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Nipples respond to breast augmentation surgery in a variety of ways. Some women report increased sensitivity, others notice decreased sensitivity. With all incisions this is a risk because the major nerve to the nipple comes from the very side of the breast, and any dissection puts this nerve at risk. The larger the implant, the wider the pocket has to be, and the greater the chance of this damage. The less accurate the dissection, the greater the risk of this problem. Whatever your experience, know that any change will likely subside over time. But even when everything is done perfectly, some women can have a permanent change in sensitivity.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Nipple characteristics after the initial healing phase following breast augmentation are typically the same.  A small percentage of patients have longstanding pain, numbness, or alteration in sensitivity.  A small percentage of patients may lose sensation, but most of the time this is temporary as the nerves will re-establish new pathways and sensation should return.  In fact, less than 5% of patients lose nipple sensitivity after breast augmentation.  Some of the risk of losing sensitivity depends upon surgical technique. Feeling does tend to improve over the course of a year and perhaps even two years. 
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CAA small percentage of patients may lose sensation, but most of the time this is temporary.

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. Healing after a mommy makeover is usually pretty straight forward.  There is a process of swelling and bruising that peaks at 3-5 days after surgery and then undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The lateer phase of healing takes place over the 3-4 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient. Nipples respond to breast augmentation surgery in a variety of ways. Some women report increased sensitivity, others notice decreased sensitivity. With all incisions this is a risk because the major nerve to the nipple comes from the very side of the breast, and any dissection puts this nerve at risk. The larger the implant, the wider the pocket has to be, and the greater the chance of this damage. The less accurate the dissection, the greater the risk of this problem. Whatever your experience, know that any change will likely subside over time. But even when everything is done perfectly, some women can have a permanent change in sensitivity, and all patients must be able to accept that risk before proceeding.

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

family4me I appreciate your concern and frustration.Rarely, partial or complete permanent sensation can occur after cosmetic breast surgery. However decreased sensation is usually temporary and may take as long as one year to completely return. The same advice may be given with regard to sensation of your lower stomach area. Try to stay patient and positive and follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question, it can take up to a year for all sensation to come back if it's going to come back.  There is no guarantee it will , however, it is still early in the recovery period.

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It can take 12-18 months for sensation to return and in the abdo it is common to have sensory issues in the are you describe at this time.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Permanent loss of sensation is not common but it is a risk with surgery.  Return of sensation can take up to one year, so there is still a chance that it will return.  If it has not improved after a year then the loss may be permanent.

Things are still numb 6 months post-op. Will feeling ever come back?

Answers (9)

More Mommy Makeover Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (9)

More Mommy Makeover Questions

Can I get a mommy make over? i do have pacemaker and am clear to have the surgery (photo)

Is it safe for a patient with controlled multiple sclerosis to have a mommy makeover?

When can you expose the belly button to the sun without affecting the scar negatively?

How soon can I socially drink after a mommy makeover?

3 dpo of having a lipo and bbl and breast implants and I keep waking up to a headache and throbbing in my ear What’s causing it?

How long after a mommy makeover do I need to wait to have a BBL done? (Photo)

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS