How Long Will It Take to Recover Nipple Sensitivity After Breast Mastectomy?

Hello! It's common to experience loss of nipple sensitivity after a mastectomy, because of the nerves that have been severed during the procedure. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell how long it will take for nipple sensitivity to return, or if it will return at all, and it's best to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can help you figure out what your current situation is and how to proceed from there.

As stated previously there is not enough information given but the assumption is you have a nipple preserving mastectomy.  I performed a reconstruction for a patient this week after a nipple sparing mastectomy.  The nipple will not regain sensation overall because of the mastectomy.  The most sensitive part of the breast is the upper breast skin above the areola.  I would evaluate the sensation on a 4 month basis.  Sensation in the skin can improve over time.  I use a time frame of a year before I feel the reulst is complete from a nerve and sensation standpoint.

The standard answer would be that sensation of an intimate nature does not return after a mastectomy. During a mastectomy the entire breast is remove and that includes the nerve to the nipple. This would be true with a nipple-sparing mastectomy as well. There could however be return of general skin sensation to the area but it is very unpredictable. The important issue is choosing the operation that gives you the best long term survival.