Do Cosmetic Breast Surgeries Impair Sensitivity?

In the matter of cosmetic breast surgeries, breast augmentation, breast lift and breast reduction operations will first come to mind. Breast lift operations can be performed at the same time with breast augmentation operations. Breast reduction operations include lifting of the breasts by the contents of the procedure. When it comes to the matter of cosmetic breast operations such as a breast augmentation, a breast lift, a breast reduction, anyone considering to undergo one of these operations may be wondering about whether there will be a loss of sensitivity in the breasts.

There can be temporary or permanent loss in nipple and skin sensation after a breast augmentation operation. Depending on the patient’s anatomy and the surgical technique, the amount and the permanence of this differ. For example, in breast augmentation operations which involve incisions being made around the nipples, these situations can be experienced more.  In breast augmentation operations which are performed through inframmary fold or axillary incisions, they are seen less. Also transumbilical breast augmentation operations can have a higher rate than these two techniques. The nipple and skin sensation may not be affected by a breast augmentation operation at all. Sometimes diminished sensation or total loss of sensation can be experienced temporarily. Sometimes diminished sensation or total loss of sensation can be experienced permanently.

During breast reduction and breast lift operations, breast skin and nipple sensation may also be damaged. The preservation of skin and nipple sensitivity within the individual anatomy of the patient after a breast reduction or a breast lift operation is affected by the surgical technique to be used, where the incisions are made and the amont of tissue to be removed. In some breast reduction and breast lift operations, the nipple is disconnected from blood supply and relocated. Procedures like these can affect nipple sensitivity and also may cause loss of nipple sensitivity.

Nevertheless, the majority of patients undergoing good quality cosmetic breast operations do not experience any problems with loss of sensitivity. Immediately after the operation, the changes in breast skin and nipple sensation can be restored without any problems with the completion of the healing process.