What does the numbness mean?Is it permanent since it didn't come back after 2yrs? The majority of the numbness is located in the surrounding areas of 1 dog ear so it goes up to my armpit almost& a bit over the nipple. I can understand the numbness on the pec but not the area (above dog ear) being like this since it wasn't even operated on. Strangely, there is different types of pain despite having no sensation to touch.
November 28, 2018
Answer: Unlikely to change Thank you for your question. Unfortunately since it has been this long sensation is unlikely to return. Likely a nerve was accidently injured. This is a common complication in mastectomies with numbness extending to the inner arm. There are some medications that can help with any type of nerve pain, such as neuron tin, and you can discuss these with your PS. Best of luck!
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November 28, 2018
Answer: Unlikely to change Thank you for your question. Unfortunately since it has been this long sensation is unlikely to return. Likely a nerve was accidently injured. This is a common complication in mastectomies with numbness extending to the inner arm. There are some medications that can help with any type of nerve pain, such as neuron tin, and you can discuss these with your PS. Best of luck!
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September 11, 2017
Answer: Numbness after TOPS surgery Thanks for the question, and sorry to hear about your loss of sensation. Unfortunately, any surgery will involve cutting small nerve endings to the overlying tissues. As long as they are not the major nerves, these will typically grow back over time. They may not grow back to 100% normal, but usually enough to not cause a problem. However, this is not always the case, and nobody really knows why some people gain back almost perfect sensation, and some people end up with your situation. Typically, if its been 2 years, you may gradually get some more sensation, but chances are that what you have now is what you will have. I usually tell patients, and usually see from experience, that nerve regeneration will usually make its greatest leaps and bounds in the first 6-24 months. After that, the residual status is usually permanent. I will keep my fingers crossed that I am wrong and that you continue to recover. Good Luck"The above answer has been given without seeing this patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."
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September 11, 2017
Answer: Numbness after TOPS surgery Thanks for the question, and sorry to hear about your loss of sensation. Unfortunately, any surgery will involve cutting small nerve endings to the overlying tissues. As long as they are not the major nerves, these will typically grow back over time. They may not grow back to 100% normal, but usually enough to not cause a problem. However, this is not always the case, and nobody really knows why some people gain back almost perfect sensation, and some people end up with your situation. Typically, if its been 2 years, you may gradually get some more sensation, but chances are that what you have now is what you will have. I usually tell patients, and usually see from experience, that nerve regeneration will usually make its greatest leaps and bounds in the first 6-24 months. After that, the residual status is usually permanent. I will keep my fingers crossed that I am wrong and that you continue to recover. Good Luck"The above answer has been given without seeing this patient and cannot be substituted for actual in-person examination and medical advice; it is only opinion. Seek in-person treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."
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