Nipple Sensation After Breast Reduction

Loss of sensation in the nipple/areola is fortunately an uncommon occurrence.In my experience, permanent loss of of sensation may be due to stretching of the sensory nerves by using very large implants causing a stretch injury or pressure on the nerves, extent of dissection which can damage the nerves, and the size of implant. I find that the location of the incision is not usually the reason for loss of sensation.Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon is important when considering surgery, as it will lower your chances of complications.

Loss of nipple and areolar sensation can occur in a small percentage of women. If it does, it is usually temporary and feeling usually returns over a period of several months. In some cases, the loss of sensation may become permanent.

Although breast reduction is considered a safe
operative procedure, occasionally complications do occur.Decreased nipple areola sensation reportedly
occurs in five to fifteen percent of patients who undergo breast reduction
surgery.This
complication appears to be related to the surgical technique used and the
amount of breast tissue removed from the breast.In cases where large amounts of breast tissue
are removed, there’s a higher incidence of decreased sensation.In addition, surgical techniques that remove
breast tissue inferiorly near the breast fold are also associated with an
increased incidence of numbness.The
vast majority of patients who undergo breast reduction surgery report high
satisfaction rates even when sensation is decreased.In these cases, resolution of symptoms is the
priority.In the vast majority of
patients loss of sensation is transient.When sensation is absent for a year or longer it should be considered
permanent.It’s important that you
discuss this issue thoroughly with your plastic surgeon.Although relatively rare, there’s no question
that loss of nipple sensation can potentially occur with this procedure.