Will I lose sensation in my breasts or nipples with a fat transfer to the breast?

Question

I’m interested in a fat transfer to the breast, however I had a bbl in the past, and the area around my hip dips is numb (had the surgery 2 years ago) but I will occasionally feel zingers. My fear is that the same thing will happen to the breast. What’s the likelihood of this happening? The cannula would be placed at the 12 and 6 position on my areola.

Elizabeth Kiwanuka, MD, PhD · Answer

Fat transfer procedures, whether to the breasts or other areas like the buttocks, involve similar techniques that can lead to comparable risks and side effects. When fat is transferred, it's done using a cannula&mdash;a thin tube&mdash;to inject fat into targeted areas. Numbness and occasional sharp pains ("zingers") are common symptoms after such procedures, largely due to nerve damage or irritation during surgery.
Numbness in the area around your hip dips following a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) suggests some degree of nerve affection, which might have caused sensory changes. These nerves can regenerate over time, but the process can vary greatly from one person to another, and sometimes the changes can be permanent.
In terms of transferring fat to the breast, the likelihood of experiencing similar sensations (numbness and zingers) depends on several factors:
1. Surgical Technique: The placement and depth of the cannula during fat injections can affect how nerves are impacted. Given that the breast area is rich in nerve supply, particularly around the areola, careful handling is essential to minimize nerve damage.
2. Surgeon’s Skill and Experience: The precision and gentleness of the surgeon play a crucial role in minimizing tissue and nerve trauma.
3. Individual Healing Response: Each person's body reacts differently to surgeries. Your experience with numbness and zingers in the hip area post-BBL might give some indication of how your body responds to such interventions, but it isn't a definite predictor for breast procedures.
4. Volume of Fat Transferred: Larger volumes can require more extensive manipulation, potentially increasing the risk of nerve disruption.
Considering your previous experience and concerns, it's essential to discuss these thoroughly with your plastic surgeon. They can evaluate your past healing patterns and tailor the procedure to minimize similar risks in the breast area. Additionally, they might use specific techniques or take extra precautions to protect the nerve structures around the breasts.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Diligent652234,
during fat transfer, small incisions are made so the risk of sensation loss is very low. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Tyler Frew, MD · Answer

Hi there,
Overall, it is very unlikely to loose sensation long term to the nipples/areolas after AFT to the breast. It however, can be very common early after surgery (within the first 3-6 months) to have some sensation disturbances (numbness, zingers, pins/needles, etc) which usually resolve fully.
I would discuss with your surgeon placing the incisions away from your areola and placing them under your breast and in your armpit. That will decrease the likelihood of sensation issues further
All the best

Harry T. Haramis, MD, FACS · Answer

Loss of sensation, especially permanent, after fat transfer to the breasts would be very unusual.

Some temporary sensitivity or discomfort is common.

I usually place the fat from the breast fold.

An exam and consultation with a plastic surgeon who performs these procedures is recommended to confirm you are a candidate as well as discuss your options and expectations.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

It is highly unlikely you will loss sensation to your nipples or breasts with fat transfers.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Bryan Curtis, MD · Answer

The potential loss of sensation in the breasts or nipples after a fat transfer to the breast (also known as autologous fat grafting or fat transfer breast augmentation) is generally less common compared to traditional breast augmentation with implants. However, changes in sensation can still occur, and it's essential to be aware of the potential risks and factors that may influence sensation following the procedure.
Here are some considerations regarding sensation and fat transfer to the breasts:
1.	Nipple Sensation: Sensation in the nipples may be affected by the fat transfer procedure, particularly if the procedure involves manipulating or repositioning the nipples. However, significant loss of nipple sensation is relatively uncommon with fat transfer alone, especially compared to breast augmentation with implants.
2.	Breast Sensation: Sensation in the breast tissue itself may be temporarily altered following fat transfer due to swelling, bruising, and trauma to the tissues during the procedure. However, sensation typically returns to normal as the healing process progresses.
3.	Harvesting Site Sensation: Sensation in the donor site(s) where fat is harvested for the transfer (e.g., abdomen, thighs) may be affected by the liposuction process. Temporary numbness, tingling, or changes in sensation at the donor sites are common after liposuction but usually resolve over time as the nerves regenerate.
4.	Individual Variability: Every individual responds differently to surgical procedures, and changes in sensation can vary widely from person to person. Factors such as surgical technique, the amount of fat transferred, and individual nerve anatomy may influence the extent and duration of sensation changes.
5.	Long-Term Effects: In most cases, any changes in sensation experienced after fat transfer to the breast are temporary and resolve as the body heals. However, in rare cases, persistent alterations in sensation or loss of sensation may occur.
It's important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of fat transfer breast augmentation, including changes in sensation, with your plastic surgeon during the consultation process. Your plastic surgeon can provide information based on your individual anatomy, medical history, and surgical goals. Additionally, selecting a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in fat transfer procedures can help minimize the risk of complications and optimize your overall results.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

The risk of numbness with fat transfers is very low and less risk than with implants.  None of my fat transfer ladies reported any numbness.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Many people will have temporary changes in the skin sensation after liposuction and sometimes smile and changes in skin sensation after fat transfer.
It is unusual for this to present long-term.
I don’t think I’ve had a single patient who had issues with changes in skin sensation more than six months after surgery.
 Breast augmentation surgery with implants will often decrease nipple sensation slightly.
Breast reduction surgery can have major impact on the nipple sensation, including complete loss of sensation. For the procedure, your contemplating loss of sensation should not be something. You should be concerned about.
Things to be concerned about for this procedure are understanding your candidacy for the procedure, understanding what the procedure cannot accomplish , and making sure you’re in the hands of a provider who has enough skill and experience to deliver consistent quality outcomes. 
Delivering consistent quality, liposuction and fat transfer results is more difficult than most people realize.
The number of plastic surgeons of truly mastered in this procedure is relatively small.
One thing I would also point out is for patience to be very careful when reviewing before and after pictures in regards to setting expectations.
 Early fat transfer results can look very impressive.
Early results, however, do not represent final results by any stretch of the imagination.
In order for after pictures to be representative of long-term outcomes, they need to be taken at least 3 to 6 months from the date of surgery.
 Both patients and providers may be tempted to want to take pictures a few weeks after the procedure when results look spectacular.
These are not the same as final outcomes.
Always confirm the timeframe of when after pictures were taken. Do not assume that after pictures represent long-term final outcomes, especially if they look really impressive.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD

Will I lose sensation in my breasts or nipples with a fat transfer to the breast?

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