Will I get nipple sensation back after my breast lift and augmentation?

Question

Will I get nipple sensation back after my full breast lift and augmentation? If so, when? I’m 8 weeks post-op.

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Yes, it will take some time for this to resolve.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's difficult to say  without knowing the details of your procedure. There are many techniques used to perform a breast lift with implants. Some techniques have a lower risk of changing the sensibility of your nipples. Sensation to your nipples can recover over the course of one year, so I would continue to be patient with the process and hopefully your sensation will return. Congratulations on your procedure.

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

As you have seen from the other answers, numbness is almost universally present with every surgical patient.  The degree of sensory return is variable with patients and types of operation.  Decreased nipple areolar sensitivity is very common after breast surgery and is usually more apparent with combination lift and augmentation.  Sensation improves over a two year period but the most return tends to be over the first few months.  Ask your surgeon for tips to potentially improve the numbness.  This includes massage of the area of numbness many times per day to stimulate the nerves, break up the scar tissue, and shift the swelling around.  Gentle hot and cold therapy may also help you but be careful and make sure you check the temperature on normal skin.

Andrea Marando, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. During the recovery period, following a breast lift with augmentation, it is not unusual to experience some degree of numbness in the nipple and areola area. However in the vast majority of cases, this is temporary and the sensitivity recovers. One of the main reasons of problems with nipple sensitivity after this kind of procedure is the size of the implants used; larger implants will more likely affect sensitivity than smaller implants.I hope my answer helps you to put your mind at rest.All the best.Andrea MarandoGMC Specialist RegisterCertified, European Board of Plastic SurgeryMember of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear lori1997,numbness is very common. It depends on the operation but often times sensation can return in a couple of weeks, a year, or not at all.  Nipple sensation itself is very important and can sometimes be lost with breast surgery. This is often mentioned in the risks of the consent process. I imagine your numbness is just temporary although I would have to examine you.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Anthony J. Taglienti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The short answer is, maybe. Loss of Nipple sensation is a risk of any breast procedure. You had a lot of work done, and have a lot of incisions. Most of the time, the nerves to the nipple areola complex will heal and you will have sensation - but this can take at least 6 months to even a full year. Sometimes, however, this sensation does not come back. If you have any questions about this, I suggest speaking directly with your Plastic Surgeon - only he or she knows what cuts were made and can better guide you. Best of luck!

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

In the vast majority of cases, the numbness is temporary and the sensitivity recovers.  People heal at a different rate, so it could take several weeks to months.

Will I get nipple sensation back after my breast lift and augmentation?

Answers (7)

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