Ask a Surgeon - Breast Augmentation - I understand that there is a chance of loss of sensation to the nipples...

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I understand that there is a chance of loss of sensation to the nipples permanently...

Q:

I understand that there is a chance of loss of sensation to the nipples permanently after breast augmentation. How often does this occurs, and does placement of the implant above or below the breast muscle have anything to do with it?

A:

Sensory changes, both increased and decreased, can result following breast enlargement/augmentation surgery. This can be temporary or permanent. Fortunately, most sensory changes resolve spontaneously with time. It has been quoted that 15% of patients may experience permanent sensory changes of the breast and/or nipple after breast enlargement surgery. However, this figure varies among clinical studies and is, therefore, not definitive.

Sensory changes to the breast or nipple may result from direct injury to the nerves, as a result of surgery, or may result from the stretch placed on the nerves from implant placement. Surgical technique and anatomical location of these nerves makes the submuscular (under the muscle) placement less likely to cause permanent sensory changes. However, both submuscular and subglandular placement of breast implants has caused permanent sensory loss in a small percentage of patients. Implant size and extent of dissection may also play a role. Smaller implants may have a lower incidence of permanent sensory changes.

Unfortunately, if permanent sensory loss occurs, there is no known reliable treatment for this condition. If nipple sensitivity is important to you for sexual response, you may want to reconsider your decision to undergo breast enlargement.