Question:
Permanent Loss of Sensation After Breast Reduction/Augmentation?

If you have had a breast reduction or augmentation, did you experience permanent loss of sensation? If so, is it in the nipple area or within the breast? Was it worth it?    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on February 28, 2002)

February 28, 2002
Denise, funny you should ask!!! LOL....I went yesterday to a plastic surgeon in Nashville for this very reason. I will share with you what he said, however, I am not saying I agree with him. Actually, I am going to get another opinion. I was told this: Depending upon the size of the breast, there are 2 different procedures that can be done. I am VERY large busted. Pre-op I was wearing a 56 JJ bra, I have lost 168# pounds and wearing a 44G bra. The surgeon measured my breast and told me that my only option was a total reconstruction of the breast. That means a nipple graph!! He would have to completely remove the nipple and re-form the breast and then re-attach the nipple in to proper place. I asked about sensation and he said there would be none. Then he said, Well, maybe in 10% of cases, some sensation may reappear. He told me that if he tired to re-form the breast and NOT detach the nipple that he would have to tuck and fold the flesh and I would run the risk of losing blood supply to the nipple and lose it that way. I asked about a breast lift. Again, he says that I am too large for anything other than what he had already stated. I was VERY upset. He asked me why it was such a concern with me. I was appalled!!! I said, well, I don't want NUMB nipples!!! He says, Do you mean you actually have sensation now??? I said, Yes...AS HE REACHED AND PINCHED MY NIPPLE!!! He almost got smacked!!! He says, did you feel that??? I said, YES, I DID!!!! He said that he was very surprised. Wonder how surprised he would have been had I "pinched" him RIGHT GOOD?!?!?! SOOOO, I am looking for another surgeon. This guy told me that he would have to move my nipples 20 cm...(he measured) and that he would not think of doing the non-detached nipple surgery if he had to move it over 9 cm. So, there ya go...I am 2 times over his measurement limit. Good luck to ya sweetie!!! Like I said, I am looking elsewhere....I just can not stand the thought of having numb nipples....but we'll see. Lightening Bug :o)
   — Cheryl L.

February 28, 2002
Wow, Cheryl, I am a pretty calm person, andI WOULD have slapped him. Then asked if he felt that! I mean, if he were examining you, maybe, but to just reach over and grab it! THen I would have walked out of the waiting room screaming why. (In my dreams I would hope to have the nerve).
   — M. A. B.

February 28, 2002
A close friend of mine had this procedure done and she did have to have her nipple's removed, cut down and re-attached. She has feeling in her nipple and most of her breast. She can't feel anything on the scar's and a couple places on the bottom of her breast. She is very happy and I would definately suggest a second opinion.
   — Heather ..

February 28, 2002
Okay, speaking as someone that has had reduction, and had to have the nipple completely removed and reattached, I can tell you that, yes, I do have some sensation in that area. Cold weather still effects me the same (if you know what I mean), running water in the shower, and just touching in that area sometime can do it. There is reaction in the nipple, but not a lot of feeling... I mean I can feel it, but it's not like, 'Oh God!' or anything :) They had to be grafted back on for the reasons already mentioned here, my breasts were too big, it might have effected blood supply. Which would you rather do: a) not have surgery and keep the shoulder pain, etc? b) have the surgery and have the surgeon (who usually knows what he/she's talking about) not reattach the nipple, and then lose your nipple altogether because of loss of blood supply? or c) have it done right, lose the pain in your back/shoulders, etc. and have some sensation in that area? No, they don't look like they did before, the skin looks different, as to the actual nipple itself, it also looks different. Your breasts are never going to look like round little perky things with perfect little gumdrop-shaped nipples on top. It doesn't work that way. It was worth it to me to get rid of the pain, though. More sensation would be nice, and it took a while to get back what I do have, but I'd do it again. Oh, and by the way... If they have to graft the nipple back on, you also lose your ability to breast feed, so if that is going to be an issue for you in the future, you should definately understand that. The milk ducts are severed.
   — [Anonymous]

February 28, 2002
I had a breast reduction about 5 years ago. They removed 5 pounds of tissue. I had to have my nipples removed and grafted on. I was married at the time and thought it didn't make any difference. Well, after being divorced I have only dated a few men, but telling them was quite embarassing. I don't have feeling in my nipples at all, except sometimes I get "phantom" feelings. It feels like my nipples are getting erect, but they can't. It's a personal decision. I have never once regretted my breast reduction. It was the best thing I ever did for myself.
   — candymom64

February 28, 2002
I had a breast reduction in 1991. My breasts were so large my nipples had to be removed and replaced. I have normal sensation on the left side and almost none on the right. On the right, I have more in some areas than others. Strange, but true. It doesn't bother me at all, I just have to remind hubby sometimes. :) I will probably have to have this done again (I'm still too big) and I am counting on losing all sensation.
   — Tina P.

February 28, 2002
I had breast reduction in 1984. They had to remove my nipples too. I have feeling in one nipple more than the other. I lost a small area of one nipple to infection. I have never regreted having this surgery.
   — Sharonsdg

February 28, 2002
I had a reduction in 1988 and have never had regrets. I too have some sensation in my right breast and little in my left. The difference is that they do not respond to light touches. It must be harder stimulation. I've learned what works and can share with my partner. In the end, I don't think it's any different than any other sexual preferance. It's just about teaching your partner what you like. Good Luck!
   — dcopehp

February 28, 2002
I had a reduction in 1988 and have never had regrets. I too have some sensation in my right breast and little in my left. The difference is that they do not respond to light touches. It must be harder stimulation. I've learned what works and can share with my partner. In the end, I don't think it's any different than any other sexual preferance. It's just about teaching your partner what you like. Good Luck!
   — dcopehp

February 28, 2002
Hi Denise, I had a BR in 91 and have loved it!! In the beginning I was lacking in sensation, but it came back and are very sensitive except for the scars. They did remove the nipples and reattach, and are still very sensitive. When later pregnant, I wasn't sure whether the milk ducts had been severed, but once I had my baby the milk came in so they CAN detatch the nipple and keep the ducts intact. They also made the nipple (areola) smaller to go with the new smaller breast. The scars are barely visible. Mine was more of a painful recovery than the WLS, but every experience is different. I wish you the best.
   — Cheri M.

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