On average, how long does it typically take for numb nipple/breast to regain sensitivity after surgery?

Patients can experience nipple numbness after breast surgery.  Sometimes the numbness can be permanent.  If it does return, it can take up to 6 months for the sensation to come back.  Unfortunately, if sensation does not return there is not much one can do to improve the feeling.

Sensory changes are a common finding after breast augmentation. As long as you have noticed some amount of return by the 3 month mark then I am typically very hopeful for my patients. However occasionally I have also had patients whose sensation returned very late (2-3 years).Good luck

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

Thank you for your question.It is not uncommon to experience a temporary change in nipple sensation after breast surgery, whether the surgery was augmentation, lift or reduction. Full normal sensation usually returns by three months; in many instances sooner. It's possible to have return of sensation, or at least improvement, up to one to two years after surgery. In my experience, as with most surgeons, complete permanent loss of nipple sensation is very rare. 

It is not uncommon to have numbness after surgery, and more than likely it will improve with time.  Be patient and good luck.

Permanent nipple numbness is possible with augmentations, although it occurs infrequently. If the sensation has not begun to return after 4-6 months, it could be permanent. There is certainly a chance that your sensation may return if you are only 2 months post-op.