Loss of Sensation After Breast Augmentation?

You should be able to feel your breasts after this surgery. Typically, you'll see loss of sensation when the difference pre and post op is very significant. If you start an a-cup and move to a d-cup you may be stretching the nerves so much that they loose blood supply and struggle to transmit sensation impulses.
During surgery the nerve could get stretched though, remember that this implant is not really meant to be there so it could happen even in the case of an implant that is not too large. Typically you just have to wait and the sensory disturbance is improved. In your case since you just want symmetry and some improvement in their fullness your goals are achievable with very low risk to sensory injury. The possibility exists no matter what size the implant is or who does the surgery but it is very low. Stick to plastic surgeons who perform this operation regularly.
Best wishes.

Losing a nipple sensation after a breast augmentation surgery is a common problem, but the good news is, it's temporary. Most women will return to feeling the sensation of their nipples within a few months of their surgery. In rare occasions, permanent loss of nipple sensation can occur after the breast implant surgery. I this problem still exists 2 years after your operation, it's unlikely that the nerves will regenerate again. I must add that the risk of this complication is extremely low but it's something to be aware of. Good luck.

Hello.  It sounds like you have very reasonable expectations and are not looking for a huge enlargement.  The people who tend to get permanent loss of sensation are those who either go for extremely large implants that really stretch all of the breast tissue, skin and sensory nerves.  The other common reason for permanent loss of sensation is the use of an incision around the areola.  Most surgeons tend to prefer putting the scars in the crease below the breast.  Whilst temporary alterations in sensation are possible with this approach, this usually settles as the swelling subsides and most patients are very happy.

Thank you for your question.
There are two types of loss of feeling; in the nipple and cleavage area. Lose sensation in the cleavage area is more common, but the loss of nipple sensation can also be seen.

After breast augmentation, loss of sensation can occur, but it is usually only temporary. 

When your breasts are swollen and healing, there can be some decreased sensation but it takes nearly few months after surgery.

Thanks for your question. There are two different issues here: nipple sensation and breast sensation. Nipple sensation as supplied by very specific nerves, and it is very unlikely (although not impossible)for this to be harmed during a breast augmentation. Skin around the nipple is supplied by multiple small sensory nerves. It is not uncommon for some of these to be damaged or stretched during a breast augmentation, and this sensation almost always recovers completely.

There are risks associated with any surgical procedure, however, the risk of losing nipple sensation following breast augmentation is extremely low. Depending on the incision used for the procedure you may experience nipple hypersensitivity or decreased sensation in the lower breast. Results vary from patient to patient, but any sensation changes should be temporary. 
As always, discuss your concerns with a board eligible / certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Nipple sensation is of course very important and should always be discussed with your plastic surgeon when you are considering breast surgery.  Although the traditional teaching suggested that incision choice (peri-areolar having the greatest impact on sensation) was most important more recent  literature has suggested that the larger the implant the greater the chance of sensation changes.

Complete and permanent loss of sensation to the breasts after an augmentation would be extremely rare. While it is definitely possible to have some numbness after the procedure the sensation generally returns to normal after a few months. The bigger the size increase in the breasts, the greater the chance of the nerves being stretched and causing some numbness. 

Thanks for your questions. Though it is a risk, complete loss of nipple sensation is very uncommon in breast augmentations. Incisions around the areola do carry a slightly increased risk vs the other incision locations, however, it too is very low. What is more common is some transient changes in nipple sensation and sensitivity. The majority of women after breast augmentation surgery eventually have normal nipple sensation. 

The nerve that supplies the sensation to the nipple can be stretch after placing implants. It is possible after surgery to have increase sensitivity or numbness.  As time passes nerve will improve but there is always a possibility of having either numbness or hypersensitivity.  

Few temporary side effects of a Breast Augmentation surgery could include, discomfort, swelling, bruising and loss of sensation. These are all temporary side effects and start to subside by 2 – 3 weeks post surgery.


Sensation may get altered for first few weeks depending on the technique undertaken by your surgeon. This is also a temporary side effect and gets better in few weeks.