3 years post op & no nipple sensation - what I do to regain feeling?

Question

I am coming up on 3 years since my breast reduction & I still have little to no feeling in my nipples. If I pinch them really hard I can feel them, but they do not feel temperature at all. I can hold an ice cube to them and feel absolutely nothing. They also rarely get stimulated. Is there anything I can do to try to regain feeling?

Vasileios Vasilakis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question. Alteration to nipple sensation, include loss of sensation, are known and relatively common effect of breast reduction surgery. Unfortunately, after 3 years, this is permanent. Vasileios Vasilakis, MD. Double board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon, Houston. TX.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Thanks for your question! Unfortunately, at this point, it is unlikely that you will regain any sensitivity. Those nerve endings were somehow severed. I'm so sorry about that! I hope that you are otherwise happy with your results.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Practical837276,
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
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

At three years post op from your breast reduction it is likely that your change in sensation is permanent.  Typically patients who have altered sensation will regain it by one year post op.  After this time this time it's not likely to change significantly.

Jose A. Munoz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to or forum!Unfortunately I know of no medically accepted treatment. The nipple areolar complex derives its sensation from a plexus of nerves arising from the 4th thoracic nerve, which penetrates breast tissue and may damaged or removed during breast reduction surgery. There is no satisfactory way to identify these small branches during the procedure. If a nerve is injured, sensation may return for up to several years after injury. If severed, a degree of protective sensation may ingrow from surrounding nerves, but normal sensation will not return. Best wishes...

Gokhan Temiz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question. Unfortunately there is treatment technique that fix the lost sensation of the breast.

BREAST REDUCTION PROVIDERS NEAR YOU

3 years post op & no nipple sensation - what I do to regain feeling?

Answers (6)

BREAST REDUCTION PROVIDERS NEAR YOU