Is it normal to have numbness/ tingling in my wrists after breast augmention? I had the augmenattion about 12 hrs ago.

Question

I had the augmentation 12 hours ago and seem like I keep having this on and off tingling down in my wrists into my hands. It does seem to be getting worse this evening. Anything to be alarmed about?

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. This is likely related to your surgery but not the surgery details. It probably has something to do with the position you were in on the table or blood pressure cuff squeezing your arm, something like that which has caused some nerve irritation. This will likely go away on its own with time and the fact that at 12 hours after surgery you are posting on RealSelf is a good sign.Best of luck!

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hi there, Thank you for your question. The numbness/ tingling sensation could have something to do with the position you were in during the surgery. However if the feeling persists you could consider speaking with your surgeon. Best, realdrsix

Hetal Fichadia, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question. Tingling in wrists/arms is related to nerve irritation from positioning or pressure during surgery. This should improve with time. Please let your plastic surgeon know so that they are aware of this issue as well. Rest, recover and enjoy your new look!!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Hi scarlettandkona,
This is a very common complaint after surgery. It shouldn't leave any consequence and it should pass within a few weeks. The probable cause is positioning during the surgery and stretching of nerves.
I hope this was helpful,Dr. Daniel BarrettPlastic SurgeryBeverly Hills, CA

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

The emphatic answer is YES!  In fact, it's so common that not to have tingling is uncommon.  Almost every knowledgeable Board Certified plastic surgeon will sit the patient up during surgery to be sure that the positioning is correct when the patient is erect.  Because of that, either your surgeon, nurse or anesthesiologist sees to it that your arms are secured to the arm boards on either side of the surgical bed.  Short cases like breast augmentations have fewer of these nerve irritations whereas long Mommy Makeover cases may have your arms out on arm boards over 6-7 hours.  Therefore, most of us have concocted our own techniques for keeping arms on arm boards during longer cases.There truly is nothing to be alarmed about.  It will pass, and actually relatively quickly.  However, I would alert your personal plastic surgeon so that he or she may stay in the loop.

Is it normal to have numbness/ tingling in my wrists after breast augmention? I had the augmenattion about 12 hrs ago.

Answers (5)