2 weeks after surgery and my breasts and nipples are numb. Will the feeling come back?

Question

Its been two weeks since surgery a large portion of my breast and my nipples are completely numb. My surgeon said thats strange considering the implants were it put under the muscle do you agree or disagree? and is there still a chance that The feeling will come back?

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

At two weeks postop it is not uncommon for nippled to be hypo sensitive or hyper sensitive. This is temporary and will get better with time.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Sensory changes can last for a few weeks following surgery and are usually temporary. It is rare for any changes to be permanent.

Scott W. Vann, MD, FACS · Answer

Temporary nipple and skin numbness is not unusual after an augmentation. Once the nerves relax and the swelling goes away normal sensation should return. I have seen one or two times that it took 6 weeks. You did not mention where your incisions are located. Incisions around the areola could lead to a bit longer numbness than the incision under the breast. Either way the chance of permanent  numbness is small.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Decrease in session to the nipples can occur. It can occur with the implant above or below the muscle. Typically this is just swelling around the nerve that has decreased sensation. This should return it within 3 to 6 months.

Paul W. Papillion, MD · Answer

Sensation should gradually return to your nipples....it is rare to have permanent loss of nipple sensation.

Bryson G. Richards, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It is very common for the nipples to have temporary loss of sensation after breast augmentation surgery. We call this "neuropraxia" that occurs when the nerves swell due to local swelling and post-surgical inflammation. The nerves that supply sensation to the nipple arise from the anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the 3rd to 5th intercostal nerves. Typically, these nerves are left intact with sub-pectoral breast augmentation. I want to reassure you that the sensation should return.With that being said, I wasn't in your surgery and did not do your procedure. Permanent nipple sensation has been documented, but is extremely rare.I hope this helps.- Dr. Bryson G. Richards, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your post. In general, most women who have a disturbance in nipple sensation, whether it be less (hypo-sensation), or in some cases too much (hyper-sensation), the sensation goes back to normal with 3-6 months. Occasionally, it can take 1 - 2 years to be normal. Extremely rare, the sensation never goes back to normal. This is extremely rare in augmentation alone, more common in lift or reduction but less with a smaller lift like a crescent lift. Signs that sensation is coming back are needle type sensation at the nipple, itchiness at the nipple, or 'zingers' to the nipple. The number of women that lose sensation is much lower than 10%, closer to 1% in a simple augmentation. In some cases the same occurs with contraction where some women have no contraction and some women have a constant contraction of the nipples. Unfortunately there is no surgical correction for this. Massaging the area can help sensation normalize faster if it is going to normalize, but will not help if the nerve does not recover. In women with hyper-sensitive nipples, this will go away with time in most cases. Usually 3 months or so. In the interim, I have them wear nipple covers or 'pasties' to protect them from rubbing. It is unlikely that down-sizing the implant will cause regaining sensation. Down-sizing the implant may cause saggy breasts, however, and may necessitate a breast lift. Physical therapy with de-sensitivity techniques can help with this issue. The Peri-areolar incision is associated with increased risk of nipple numbness due to the fact that the nerve is in close proximity.Best Wishes,Pablo Prichard, MD

Angela Champion, MD · Answer

Experiencing nipple and/or breast numbness following surgery is not uncommon.  It is typically temporary & can occur whether you are above or under the muscle.  Keep an eye on it, but it should resolve on it's own over the next several weeks.  ac

David S. Motoki, MD · Answer

Nipple and breast numbness after breast implants is fairly common but is usually temporary. Nerves that supply sensation to the nipple and breast are stretched by breast implant placement whether they are placed over or under the muscle. A published study showed that large implant size was the most important factor related to nipple numbness presumably due to over stretching the nerves beyond their ability to recover. In some cases it can take several weeks or longer for sensation to return so there is still a chance that you will improve.

Luis Lopez Tallaj, MD · Answer

Due to the swelling after a breast augmentation surgery you can have numbness in the nipple area and you must of your breast. Under the muscle we will have more edema than under the gland. You just have to weeks from your surgery date so you have to be patient. After a period of 3 months your sensitivity will come back to normality.Translation provided by doctor:Debido al edema producido en la cirugia de aumento mamario, pueden presentarse alteraciones de la sensiblidad en toda la mama, pero sobretodo en el pezon. Cuando los implantes son colocados debajo del musculo, el edema es mayor que cuando se colocan debajo de la glandula. Solo hace dos semana que te sometiste al procedimiento por lo que debes de tener paciencia. Cuando tengas 3 meses de operada recuperaras tu sensibilidad.

2 weeks after surgery and my breasts and nipples are numb. Will the feeling come back?

Answers (16)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS

Answers (16)

More Breast Augmentation Questions

5 days ago I had a BA, 500cc HP, but they don't seem very big. Are they likely to get any smaller? (Photo)

Is subfascia the same as above the muscle breast augmentation?

Is normal to have the white stuff on your incision? (photos)

Can I fly 24 hours after Breast Augmentation surgery under twilight anaesthetic?

WE SEND PRETTY EMAILS

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS