Numbness 7 months post-op. Is this normal?

Hello, my name is Igor Burko, and I am a Plastic Surgeon at SY Aesthetics in NYC. Firstly, I would make sure to follow-up with your surgeon and ask any questions or concerns. Sometimes, numbness can be part of the healing process and sensation may return. However, at times sensation may not fully recover and numbness may be permanent. My recommendation is to speak with a trained plastic surgeon who can give you their best recommendation.

You may notice some numbness along the sides of your chest or your nipples after breast reduction surgery. This is normal and will most likely get better over the next several months. In rare cases, numbness can be permanent.

After breast reduction surgery experiencing numbness in the scar area is quite common. This numbness occurs because the surgical process involves cutting through skin and tissues, which inevitably affects the nerves in the breast area. In some cases, the numbness may be temporary as nerves can slowly regenerate over time. However, for some individuals, this numbness can be permanent due to the extent of nerve disruption during surgery. The sensation in the breast and nipple area can vary greatly from person to person, with some experiencing complete numbness, partial sensation, or even heightened sensitivity in certain areas. It's important for patients to have realistic expectations and understand that sensory changes, including numbness, are a normal part of the healing process after a breast reduction surgery. Regular follow-up with your surgeon can help monitor these changes and provide guidance for any concerns regarding sensation in the breast area.

Thanks for your question! Unfortunately, some numbness after any surgery is possible. Since you are only 7 months post-op, those sensations can still change and hopefully its only temporary. If you are still feeling discomfort after 1 year, you may want to seek an opinion on any options. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. From what you explained, I believe that you are experiencing nerve pain, which can take a full year to resolve. I would schedule a follow up appointment with your surgeon to discuss your concerns. Best of luck to you.

Dear Exquisite820366,
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, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Not clear which breast procedure you had, but numbness of the skin for several months is not necessarily unusual. Sometimes a compression bra helps, but you should discuss this with your surgeon.

Yes, you can have numbness since a breast reduction is actually a partial mastectomy and tissue with nerves is removed. I'm sure your surgeon discussed this with you during your consultation. However, you are still early in the healing process and this feeling may improve.

Changes in sensation can occur with any breast surgery. Typically patients will slowly return to normal sensation as healing continues and swelling resolves. If after one year the numbness is still present, it is likely a permanent change. As you are not there yet, you still may continue to see improvement.

You did not include what procedure you had but I’m going to assume it was a breast reduction. Nipple hypersensitivity is not uncommon after breast reduction surgery. This is far more common than nipple numbness from my experience. The outcome in regards to nipple sensation is probably somewhat related to how the procedure is done. For most patients nipple sensation slowly goes back to normal in about a year. Patients who have numbness may remain numb for ever though sone continued nerve regeneration can continue for several years.
I suggest you follow up with your provider.
Mats Hagstrom, MD