Nerve Regeneration After Breast Reduction
Women who have undergone breast reduction are often curious about their ability to enjoy the sensations of their breasts and nipples after plastic surgery. After all, if they’re experiencing numbness it may impact their sexual health and self-image. And while many patients see an improvement in sensation after breast reduction surgery, some women do not fully regain feeling before or after surgery. This is normal, since each person heals differently.
In this post, we review the aspects of Nerve Regeneration After Breast Reduction, how to regain sensation after breast reduction, pulling feeling after breast reduction, and is it normal for breasts to be hard after breast reduction.
Nerve Regeneration After Breast Reduction
Breast reduction surgery can be a life-changing procedure, but it also comes with risks. One of these risks is nerve damage, which may result in loss of sensation or pain in the nipple and breast. A recent study examined whether the nerve endings regenerate after breast reduction surgery. The researchers found that many of the nerve endings did regrow after two years, but not all—which means some permanent damage can occur from this type of procedure. It’s important to discuss this risk with your doctor before deciding whether or not you want to undergo any type of breast reduction surgery!
Damage to the nerves is a risk of breast reduction surgery.
Nerve damage is a risk of breast reduction surgery. The nerves that run through the chest and neck can be damaged during this procedure, which can lead to numbness, tingling and other symptoms. The most common nerve injury is called “anterior scalene syndrome,” in which one or more of the nerves that supply sensation to the arm are pinched or injured by scar tissue forming around them. This can cause pain in your arm and loss of strength, including difficulty lifting heavier items or holding them steady while you work with them.
It’s important to know that nerve injuries like these are also a risk of breast augmentation surgery; they happen when surgeons remove fat from around your breasts before inserting implants into their place. In some cases where this has happened, patients have ended up with permanent numbness in their chests and arms—something else for you to consider if you’re thinking about undergoing either procedure!
Nerve damage can result in loss of sensation or pain in the nipple and breast.
Nerve damage can result in loss of sensation or pain in the nipple and breast. Nerves that are injured during surgery may not recover, or they may recover slowly. Your surgeon will carefully examine your breasts before surgery to determine how much skin should be removed and where the incision lines should be placed to minimize nerve damage. If there is any question about whether you have experienced nerve damage, you should discuss this with your plastic surgeon before deciding on a type of implant for breast reconstruction.
The use of ultrasound guidance during breast reduction surgery may help protect some of these nerves from injury as well as improve surgical results (see below).
A recent study examined whether the nerve endings regenerate after breast reduction surgery.
A recent study examined whether the nerve endings regenerate after breast reduction surgery. The researchers used a new technique to measure nerve regeneration called single fiber electromyography (SFEMG), which measures how many individual nerves are regenerating and how quickly.
The results showed that many nerve endings regrew after two years, but not all of them did—and those that didn’t were more likely to be in areas where blood supply was poor.
The researchers found that many of the nerve endings did regrow after two years, but not all.
The researchers found that many of the nerve endings did regrow after two years, but not all. Nerve regrowth was seen in patients who had not undergone breast reduction surgery before. However, they also observed that those with previous history of surgery showed no nerve regeneration at all. The researchers believe that the pain and numbness associated with reduced breast size may be due to damage done by surgical cutters damaging nerve endings during procedure.
The study was small so more research is needed as further studies have shown conflicting results when it comes to nerve regeneration following breast reduction surgery
The regrowth of these nerves appears to contribute to a reduction in patients’ pain and numbness over time.
When it comes to breast reduction, nerve regeneration is a double-edged sword. While the regrowth of these nerves appears to contribute to a reduction in patients’ pain and numbness over time, other nerves do not grow back at all. This means that while some people are able to continue breastfeeding after their surgery without discomfort, others have more difficulties with this process.
In addition, nerve regrowth can take months or even years, depending on your body and the extent of your surgery. For example: if you had a large amount removed from each breast (as opposed to just one), then you may experience more severe pain while waiting for your body’s full healing process. However, once this process has completed itself—i.e., when all surgical wounds have closed up completely—you should notice an improvement in how well your body functions overall compared with before visiting Dr Garcia-Lopez for help!
Many nerves regrow after breast reduction surgery, but not all of them, leaving some permanent damage.
A new study published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that many nerves regrow after breast reduction surgery, but not all of them, leaving some permanent damage.
- The study examined 108 patients who had undergone breast reduction surgery at two hospitals between 1996 and 2015.
- Of those patients, 46 percent reported pain one year after their surgeries; 27 percent reported numbness or tingling in their breasts; and 11 percent said their breasts were still numb or tingling two years later (at which point they were asked to complete a questionnaire).
The researchers noted that the number of patients who reported pain decreased over time—from 46 percent at one year post-surgery to 35 percent by two years—while the percentage of people who said they had no symptoms increased from 25 percent at one year post-surgery to 32 percent by two years.
how to regain sensation after breast reduction
Here are some answers to some common questions:
1) Is recovery after breast reduction or breast lift surgery painful?
While discomfort or pain after surgery is to be expected, women usually mention that breast reduction or breast lift surgery is a lot less painful than what they expected. Generally people comment that it’s more ‘discomfort or pain limited to the incisions’, rather than pain within the breasts or over the chest.
Some parts of the operation can be more tender though: liposuction to the side of the breast can cause a bit of tenderness, and if the breast tissue is used to auto-augment your breast (like an implant) then the sutures can pull and cause a bit more tenderness.
You will need some post-operative pain medication, and the Anaesthetist will discuss this with you. Regular paracetamol and anti-inflammatories are very effective in reducing your post-op pain/discomfort levels.
2) Will I be tired after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
You’ll feel a bit tired for first few days: the effects of anaesthesia, your body using energy for healing, plus a sleepless night before, or after surgery (hospitals can be noisy!) all combine to make tiredness after breast reduction surgery pretty common. You can plan for this by trying to organise some things before surgery – have somewhere comfortable to rest, have some meals cooked, have people to help you, and have some Netflix/Stan shows to watch.
After the initial few days you’ll find your sleeping improves, your tiredness settles, and you’ll feel more alert and energetic.
3) What will my dressings be after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
I prefer to use thin and comfortable adhesive dressings for my breast surgery patients. These dressings can get gently wet in the shower, and can then be patted dry or dried with a hair dresser to keep them adhesive.
It’s normal for parts of the dressing (usually around the nipple or at the bottom of the vertical incision) to have spotting from blood or fluid after the operation. These dressings are replaced at your first post-operative appointment. If the spotting seems excessive or has you worried, then don’t hesitate to contact the rooms.
4) What do I need to do to my scar once the dressings are removed?
Your initial dressings are removed at your first post-operative appointment at week one, and then replaced every week until healed. Once healed you can then apply emollient to the scars to help keep them moisturised and protected.
Why emollient? Generally speaking, wounds heal better in a slight moist environment. Emollient achieves this, and isn’t as expensive as the wound care creams that a chemist might sell you. There is also no good scientific evidence that Bio-Oil or Vitamin E or paw-paw cream or anything else is better than emollient for patients with normal wound healing.
What about silicon tape or silicon gel? There is some evidence that for people who are prone to creating excessively thick scars after surgery that silicon tape may be beneficial in creating better scars. Having said that though, there’s lots of studies showing that silicon tape makes no difference at all compared to non-silicon tape, so it’s another area that is a little bit unknown.
5) Are often will I see Dr Colbert after my breast reduction or breast lift?
I always call patients the after surgery to to check how you’re recovering after your procedure, and to let you know how things went.
I then see you weekly until the wounds are healed and everything is well. This usually ends up being at week one, week two, then week three or four.
I then see you for scar checks usually at around week six, then a further check at three months. Of course I’m more than happy to see patients whenever they are worried, or if they want to see more often.
6) How will my breasts look after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
Immediately after surgery your breast skin will be tighter, your nipples will be elevated, and in the case of a reduction, your breast size will be reduced.
Your breasts will be a little swollen for the first several weeks. While you definitely shouldn’t expect the size to drop from one cup to another cup, most women notice a definite size change over the initial several weeks.
Your final breast shape will take around six months to settle. All the markings are done with the aim of creating symmetrical breasts, but one side will often heal at a different rate than the other, and the final shape takes usually takes at least six months to appear. While aiming for symmetrical breasts, it’s important to remember that breasts are like sisters, and not like twins.
7) When can I exercise after a breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
An important part of recovery from breast surgery is a gradual return to activity, taking it each day at a time.
During the first week it’s important to rest, performing your daily activities within the limits of your discomfort. It’s generally advised that you shouldn’t perform any excessive reaching or twisting or bending, avoid lifting anything heavy, but still trying to maintain active and completing light activities.
From week 1-4 you can usually be ok for any exercise (as soon as you feel like it) except activities that will cause excessive downward movement of the breasts, such as running. After week 4 you can start running or gym work, as long as you are wearing a good supportive sports bra. The general idea is to start with low impact activities and increase them as tolerated.
8) When can I drive after a breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
As everyone recovers different from breast surgery, there is no prescribed time period that when you can safely drive. I generally advise patients that they are safe to drive when they can manoeuvre the steering wheel safely, and when they can safely perform an emergency stop. Placing a pillow between your chest and seatbelt to reduce any pressure on your breasts, but don’t let the pillow stop you from seeing the road!
9) When can I return to work after a breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
I generally advise that people should take at least a week off from returning to full time work. Many patients return earlier though, especially if they have a less physically taxing job and can return to work for a few hours at a time.
Another important thing to remember during your recovery is that if something is causing you discomfort, then it’s your bodies way of telling you to slow down. Now‘s not the time to start believing in ‘no pain, no gain’!
10) Do I need to wear a special garment after breast reduction or breast lift surgery?
A well fitted supportive bra is one of the most common recommendations after breast reduction surgery, and I generally advise women to wear one for at least the first several weeks.
While I’m not aware of any scientific studies showing any significant benefit to wearing a supportive bra (it would be a difficult study to design), women generally feel more much more comfortable in a well fitted supportive bra.
What is a supportive bra? Generally something without an underwire (so there isn’t any pressure on the breast crease incision) and with front clasps/zips (less reaching means less tension on your freshly sutured incisions). While these can be purchased from Kmart, more high quality garments can be purchased from specialty lingerie shops such as Hidden Lace in Subiaco.
Have a question about breast reduction or breast lift surgery that I haven’t covered? Don’t hesitate to contact my rooms for an appointment.
pulling feeling after breast reduction
Breast reduction surgery is a life-changing event for women who have suffered from the physical and emotional pain that can result from having large breasts. Even though the benefits of the outcome of breast reduction surgery almost always outweigh potential risks, knowing what to expect during recovery is an important part of the decision-making process. At Schaffer Plastic Surgery, we want our patients to be as informed as possible and to feel confident in their decision to undergo any procedure.
Healing From Breast Reduction Surgery
Breast reduction, also known as reduction mammaplasty, works by surgically removing excess glandular tissue, breast fat and skin to create a smaller, more-shapely breast. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can recover in the comfort of their own homes. However, plan to have someone drive you home from our surgery center since you may feel weak right after surgery. For two to three weeks after breast reduction surgery, you may feel sore and experience some pulling sensations in the breast area.
Considerations for Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery
Since most women feel soreness for a few weeks after breast reduction surgery, you may need pain medicine for a week or two. Keep in mind that taking prescription pain medications may prevent you from driving. Additionally, for several weeks, you may tire easily or have less energy than usual. You may also have the feeling that fluid is moving in your breasts, which is a normal sensation and will go away over time. Stitches are usually removed in five to ten days.
Breast Reduction Surgery FAQs
What Should I Wear After Breast Reduction Surgery?
It is important to wear a surgical bra or compression garment for approximately six weeks—day and night—after breast reduction surgery. Dr. Schaffer will recommend the appropriate undergarment that will hold your bandages in place after the surgery.
When Can I Sleep Without a Bra After Breast Reduction Surgery?
It is important to sleep in the surgical bra or compression garment recommended to you by Dr. Schaffer for six to eight weeks after breast reduction surgery. The exact period of time depends on the patient’s age, weight and other lifestyle factors.
Can I Breastfeed After Breast Reduction Surgery?
New techniques in breast reduction surgery allow for the preservation of lactation-related structures in the breast, meaning it is highly likely to be able to breastfeed after breast reduction surgery.
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When Can I Lift My Arms After Breast Reduction Surgery?
Lifting your arms over your head, bending and heavy lifting should be avoided for the first few days after breast reduction surgery. After several days have passed, you may gradually increase your daily activities. Anything strenuous should be avoided for a minimum of six weeks to promote complete healing.
When Can I Sleep On My Side After Breast Reduction Surgery?
Sleeping on your back for the first two weeks after breast reduction surgery is important, as it keeps the breasts in an optimal position for healing and prevents any pressure from being placed on them. After two weeks, it is safe to sleep on your side again, although stomach sleeping should be avoided until the four-week mark.
When Can I Resume Exercise After Breast Reduction Surgery?
Dr. Schaffer typically advises his patients to wait four to six weeks after breast reduction surgery to resume exercise, especially high-intensity cardio workouts. Easing back into any exercise routine, such as going for short walks or lifting light weights, is the safest way to resume exercise.
Will My Breast Reduction Surgery Scars Go Away?
Dr. Schaffer takes special care in keeping postsurgical scarring to a minimum. Any scars you do have after breast reduction surgery will be easily concealable and should fade over time with proper care. The scar healing process varies from person to person. For stubborn scars, we offer laser resurfacing solutions that can help to dramatically reduce their appearance.
is it normal for breasts to be hard after breast reduction
The team here at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. has achieved excellent results through the latest body contouring and sculpting techniques. This includes breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty), which helps address issues with large, heavy, pendulous breasts, reducing pain and other symptoms associated with the breasts and improving overall breast appearance and body contour in the process.
We’d like to look at some of the things that patients experience following breast reduction surgery so you have a good understanding of the surgical process.
Discomfort and Soreness
Varying degrees of soreness and discomfort are common issues after surgery of any kind. Many breast reduction patients remark that (although they had some discomfort after surgery) it was “less than I expected!” That being said, discomfort / pain is a highly subjective and individual response, but after this operation it is usually quite tolerable, especially after the first several days. Some soreness is normal, and you will notice that discomfort abates as healing progresses. Pain medication and anti-inflammatory prescriptions (do not use Advil–ibuprofen–or other NSAIDS; can increase risk of bleeding) can be taken to address this soreness. Most women are up and doing everyday activities within a day or two after surgery–nothing strenuous, mind you, but going about the house and taking care of one’s self.
Bruising Around the Breasts
Bruising is another common side effect of many surgeries, and patients should not be surprised if they experience bruising to a certain degree after a procedure. Resting well and refraining from strenuous activities are good ways to reduce the duration and severity of bruising.
Swelling of the Bustline
Swelling is most often experienced in the early part of the healing process and is a result of your body’s normal response to surgery or injury. Resting well and wearing your surgical dressings and/or a surgical bra as instructed help keep swelling manageable. The most prominent amounts of swelling will fade within two weeks, though mild swelling may persists for several weeks afterward. Swelling reaches its peak at about day 3-5 after surgery; after that it diminishes over time. You will also note that swelling will “move” to the ribcage, abdomen, hips, and even legs–this is normal (gravity). “Final” healing and lymphatic swelling resolution takes 6-12 months. Sudden or asymmetric enlargement can be a sign of bleeding; if you have markedly increasing swelling and increase of breast size (1 1/2 to 2X larger), contact your surgeon.
Redness Around Incision Sites
As with the other side effects noted, patients can expect some redness or discoloration around the incisions sites. This is the body’s response to healing–vascular dilation causing redness where active healing is going on. Unfortunately, infection (very rare, but possible with any surgery) can also cause an increase in redness around an incision. Localized progressive increase in redness, discomfort, and swelling outside what is seen (normally) in other areas should be brought to the attention of your surgeon. Bright pink incision discoloration tends to only last for a few weeks, but final scar fading takes 6-12 months. Use of Scar Recovery Gel (after 1 week) and Vitamin E massage (after 3 weeks) will help scars soften and fade. Ultraviolet avoidance (sun AND tanning beds) is critical as long as scars are pink; otherwise, dark (permanent) pigmentation results. Rest, hydration, and refraining from strenuous activities help improve the healing process. Silicone scar sheets can be used to help flatten and fade scars that are red, thick, or raised (hypertrophic).
Changes In Breast and Nipple Sensitivity
As patients heal from surgery, they may notice numbness or sensitivity of their breasts, particularly their nipples. This is common in the early weeks after surgery and tends to be less of an issue as healing continues and sensory nerves regrow and repair. That said, numbness and tingling may diminish over the course of a few months before reaching their “new normal.” About 15% of breast lift or reduction patients will experience permanent nipple numbness depending on their specific anatomy and the course of their sensory nerves.
Post-Surgical Scarring
Scarring is a reality with any surgery. With breast reduction surgery, there will be scars, though they will fade with time so long as patients are fully committed to the healing and recovery process. The extent of the breast reduction/breast lift scars depend on the exact amount of tissue removed, as well as the design chosen for each woman’s optimal result. This depends, in turn, on pre-operative breast anatomy and post-op goals. Rest assured that most bathing suits and undergarments will conceal the scars from view. In addition to careful and precise surgical technique, dissolving sutures under the skin (no “railroad tracks” or crosshatch marks), and meticulous hemostasis (control of bleeding vessels at the time of surgery) we will instruct you in the use scar reduction techniques and products, such as Scar Recovery Gel, Vitamin E massage, and silicone scar sheeting. Over-the-counter products such as Mederma may also be helpful.
Remember: Follow Post-Operative Instructions Carefully
Post-operative instructions are in place in order to ensure that you heal fully and most efficiently, avoiding major complications and reducing the duration and severity of side effects. Make sure to follow these instructions to the letter and to contact your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns as you are recovering.
Schedule a Consultation at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD.
For more information about breast reduction surgery and how it can help you have a more youthful and rejuvenated figure, it’s important that you contact our cosmetic skin care and plastic surgery center today. The American Board of Plastic Surgery-certified plastic surgeons at Minneapolis Plastic Surgery, LTD. will be more than happy to answer questions and address any concerns that you may have about the surgical process. In a no-charge, no-obligation consultation, we can also determine whether you may qualify for insurance coverage, and if not, can offer a nationally accredited (AAAASF) on-site surgical facility dedicated to aesthetic plastic surgery with lower costs and more specialized care than a hospital or hospital-run surgicenter (and no sick patients or nasty bacteria).