What will happen to the sensitivity of my nipples after a breast reduction?

Question

I'm inbetween a 32DDD and a 32E and getting a breast reduction in 2 months to become a 32C. My main concern is my nipple sensitivity. How will this affect my sex life?

Urmen Desai, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

This is something that is very hard to predict.  There is a small risk of temporary numbness, however this often returns over weeks to months.  I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with and who is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

James N. Romanelli, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question. While surgeons can take steps to preserve normal nipple sensation, it's not guaranteed. Some patients experience an increase in sensation, some a decrease, and many don't experience any change at all. Keep in mind that a temporary loss of sensation is common after surgery. It's important to give your breasts adequate time to heal before drawing any conclusions about your long-term situation.

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, The Horndeski Method/The Bellesoma Method is a current technique to lift and/or reduce breasts without using implants or the ugly vertical scars.  The incisions are hidden around the areola and in the inframammary crease. The vertical incision has been completely eliminated. The areola incision heals almost invisibly due to the fact that there is hardly any tension on the closure. With this particular technique, ducts are preserved along with nerve supply maintaining nipple sensation and the ability to breast feed. Because the breast is reshaped internally and is secured to your chest muscles, upper pole fullness is possible without an implant. Attached is a patient who underwent The Horndeski Method/The Bellesoma Method. Please note that her tissue was used to create upper pole fullness and cleavage without any foreign materials (mesh, implants, etc).  It is a proprietary technique that only surgeons that have been trained by me can perform. I hope this helps. Best wishes and kind regards, Dr. Gary Horndeski

Rajat Gupta, MD, MS, DNB · Answer

Breast Reduction and Lift surgery is one of the most gratifying surgery in our practice both from patients and clinician's perspective. Nipple and areola sensation is expected to get altered post this procedure. Their are many techniques of Breast reduction namely, SuperioMedial pedicle based flap, which has shown in long term that most of the sensations specially erogenous sensations are regained after few months (3 to 4 months). Kindly discuss about the techniques with your plastic surgeon further on this.

Adam Sierakowski, MBBS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Its unpredictable how nipple sensitivity will change after breast reduction. I would say most women notice a reduction in nipple sensitivity. However, for some the nipples become more sensitive whilst in others they don't notice a difference. It is unlikely to affect your sex life. In fact, you may notice more of a boost to your sex life from feeling more attractive with your new breasts!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear bellalord52,Nipple sensation may, of course, be affected by breast reduction surgery.  In fact, any surgery on the breast can affect nipple sensation.  Typically, the course is that of diminished sensation for the initial few months followed by slow return of sensation over a 3-6 month period.  A percentage of patients, usually the very large reduction patients, can experience an actual improvement in nipple sensation.  This phenomenon is due to the removal of the weight of the breasts that causes traction on the nerves to the nipples.  So, at your breast size, your sex life might even get better!  Good luck!

Eric A. Marchant, MD, FACS · Answer

Unless your surgeon is performing a "free nipple graft," which is taking the nipple/areola off and placing it as a skin graft, you should maintain nipple/areolar sensation.  You may have some numbness of the area initially but it should return if nerve endings are damaged.  It's best to discuss this with your surgeon- with your partner present- so that everyone understands the possible changes to your breasts.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Thanks for your question.There are no surgical procedures without any risk or complications.  It is rare to lose nipple sensation post breast reduction, but it does occur in as much as 10% of patients.  You muct weigh your options while deciding on any surgical procedure.Best of luck with your decision.Dr T

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Most patients have normal sensation after a breast reduction, but there is a small group that may not have normal sensation( maybe 10-15%) at one year.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.Breast reduction surgery is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform for patients with symptomatic breast hypertrophy. Of course, like with any operation, patients and surgeons must weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks/ complications associated with the procedure.A loss of nipple/areola sensation rate of 5 to 15% with  breast reduction surgery is probably accurate.I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

What will happen to the sensitivity of my nipples after a breast reduction?

Answers (13)

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