Nipple sensitivity after a breast lift. Is this normal?

Most patients retain normal sensation in their nipples after a breast lift.  That being said, there is definitely a risk for loss of sensation that you should discuss with your surgeon and your partner.  Good luck!

Unfortunately, it is impossible to give you a truly accurate answer as every individual responds differently. Some patients find that their nipples are more sensitive post surgery, but most will lose some degree of sensitivity. Especially directly after surgery. Best, Dr. Nazarian

Thank you for your question.The incisions made around the nipple to do the lift disrupt some of the sensory nerves to the nipple.  This can leave you either hyper or hypo sensitive after the surgery.  As everything heals and the sensory nerves regenerate all the sensation typically goes back to normal.  This process can take 6 months and sometimes up to a year before it normalizes.  Good luck with your decision.

A breast lift procedure has a very low incidence of nipple sensory loss.  If an implant is added the risk does increase but it still should not be a risk that should preclude you from doing the surgery if you would benefit from it. 

Hi, there.Nipple sensation can change after breast lift - some people experience hypersensitivity; others may experience dull sensation.  Although it is rare, some can also lose sensation.  Please allow at least 1 year for sensation to return.Best regards.

It can actually go both ways. Nipples can become more sensitive after an uplift, or numb. Increased sensitivity can actually be quite uncomfortable, but generally it doesn't last more than few months. Numbness may take up to a year to improve, but in some cases sensation may never return back to normal. Unfortunately there is no way to predict what is going to happen in any specific patient.

Hello dear, thanks for your question and provided information. I suggest you to be patient, it is normal that you have nipple sensitivity after a breast lift.. It will be like that for almost 3 months

#Breast lift nipple sensitivity usually doesn't change substantially, post-op, unless you experience devastating interruption of blood supply to the nipple-areolar complex (purple discoloration), which in turn will necessitate removing the areolar complex, reexploration of the breast lift and application of the areolar, as a free nipple graft.  In this scenario, you will have permanent loss of sensation.  Most patients actually experience hypersensitivity of the nipples, in the immediate post-op period.  Normalization of sensation usually occurs 90 days, postop.

You have raised a great question. The sensation to the nipple can change after breast lift surgery. It can become more sensitive or gain sensitivity in large sagging breast after the breasts are lifted as the weight and pulling on the breasts has subsided or decreased. Most cases some sensation is lost due to the incisions as the local innervation has been temporary been discontinued. Over the course of 4-6 months it usually returns. When a breast implant is added to the procedure a permanent lose of sensation may occur due to an injury to the 4th lateral intercostal nerve that comes of the pectoral muscle to travel through the breast to the nipple. Careful dissection and proper pocket size and correct implant width are important.  Consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon.Good luck!

Thank you for your question. Sensation changes after breast lifting can be  dependent on multiple factors including type of lift as well as anatomy and procedure chosen. In general I tell my patients that there is a 10% chance of permanent sensation loss when full periareolar incisions are made during breast lifting.