I am considering a breast lift but because of the incisions; do you regain full sensation and feeling in the nipples?

Nipple sensation after a breast lift is variable. Some patients have normal or near-normal feeling afterward, while others notice numbness, hypersensitivity, or a different type of sensation. When sensation changes are temporary, improvement often happens gradually over months, and nerves can take 6 to 12 months or longer to settle.

A complete return to the exact preoperative feeling cannot be predicted before surgery. Any incision around the areola, vertical/lollipop, or anchor pattern can affect small sensory nerves. The risk depends on how far the nipple must be lifted, the chosen pedicle, breast size, prior surgery, smoking, circulation, and whether a reduction is also being done.

Ask your surgeon what incision pattern and pedicle they plan to use, how much nipple elevation is expected, and how they discuss sensory changes in their own patients. If preserving sensation is a major priority, say that clearly during planning so your expectations and surgical approach match.

Dear KayL42,
every surgery has a risk of potential sensation loss. In most cases it recovers with time. Also, meticulous surgical technique and pre and postoperative protocols can reduce the risk. My preferred lift is a lollipop lift when a periareolar won't do (ie greater than 2cm lift required). The lollipop technique was created by a Canadian plastic surgeon named Elizabeth Hall-Findley and treats the breast as a three dimensional structure instead of two dimensions (anchor - lift). Most importantly it does not require the horizontal component scars that the anchor-lift requires and breasts appear much more natural, lifted, and less boxy. Lastly, the lift lasts longer because the lollipop doesn't rely on the skin to hold the breast up, its actually breast tissue thats being brought together to support the breast and hence improves longevity.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

One risk of any cosmetic breast surgery is changes in nipple sensation. While it is rare, it is something that you should still consider as possible. Most patients experience some change in sensation (numbness or over sensitivity) as they recover, but regain normal sensation afterward. However, if this is a risk you would prefer not to be exposed to, then you should consider whether a lift is worth it.

During the breast lift procedure, the blood supply and innervation to the nipple must be preserved. There are a variety of techniques that utilize either an inferior, medial, superior, or central pedicle (i.e. blood supply) to the nipple. Each surgeon has their own preference and comfort with each technique. My preference is to utilize a central pedicle as I believe it best preserves the nipple blood supply and innervation, although full sensation and feeling is possible with most techniques as long the as the innervating branch (i.e the 4th intercostal nerve) is preserved. You should discuss your care with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who will be able to provide more information. Thank you for your question!

Ask your surgeon what their experience is with this complication. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA

In the majority of breast lifts, incisions deep into the breast tissue, where the nerves are, are rarely done. Therefore, interruption of the nerve supply to the nipple and areola rarely happens. There can be some slight numbness along the suture line, but this usually returns in 6 to 9 months. Best wishes.

The technique I recommend is The Bellesoma Method. This will reshape your breast tissue creating upper pole fullness without implants, elevate them higher on the chest wall and more medial to increase your cleavage. Vertical scars are avoided, nipple sensation (in 95%) and the ability to breast feed are maintained.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Dear KayL42, thanks for sharing your question, it will depend on the patient generally we have patients who reffer regain full sensation, others 60%, 50% or none so this might vary. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia.

Any time the nipples are moved there is a chance of losing sensation. A lot friends on the technique snd hie far the nipples need to be moved

Hello, thank you for your question. Since there are no photos, it is difficult to say what kind of surgery we can perform. Generally, in lift surgeries, we perform the surgery with incisions and scars, which we call inverted T. After this surgery, there may be loss of sensation in the nipple. Generally, loss of sensation can return by 70-80% within a year, but it is also possible for it to be permanent. We can only say that there will be no permanent loss of sensation in breast augmentation surgeries. In reduction and lifting surgeries, if the procedure is performed with an inverted T or lollipop scar, the risk of loss of sensation in these areas should be taken into consideration.