Hypersensitive Nipples After Breast Reduction

A woman’s nipple is a particularly delicate area of her body. Weight gain and loss, pregnancy, nursing, and even hormonal variations can all alter nipple sensitivity. However, hypersensitivity can also be an indicator of more serious health issues, such as diabetes or an autoimmune disease.

In this piece, we’ll go over some methods for alleviating hypersensitive nipples following breast reduction surgery so you can get back to living life to the fullest.

Nipple sensitivity after a breast operation is uncommon but can be distressing for some people. Little nerve damage to the nipple is thought to be the cause of this condition, which is usually short-lived but can last for months. Read on to learn more on what to expect after a breast lift and nerve regeneration after breast reduction.

Hypersensitive Nipples After Breast Reduction

The risk of losing sensation to the nipple area is a big concern for many patients who are having breast surgery, whether it is a reduction, implants or a lift. For some patients, this concern can be so great, even with a very low incidence, to make them reconsider having the procedure.

The Nerve

The principle nerve to the nipple area exits the spinal cord in the back from the area of the forth thoracic vertebrae and wraps around the chest to the side of the breast where it generally stays deep in the breast tissue until it turns and becomes more superficial in the area of the nipple and the surrounding areola where it has several branches.

With most breast lifts, the dissection during surgery generally stays relatively superficial so that the breast tissue over the nerve protects it from injury. It is more vulnerable in and around the nipple area which is one reason why many surgeons try to avoid an incision around the edge of the areola during breast implant surgery. With a breast lift, the surgeon is not generally tunneling deep into the breast tissue where the nerve is generally hiding.

During a breast reduction, a considerable amount of breast tissue is removed from all layers of the breasts, particularly on the side of the breast where the nerve is most vulnerable. That is why a breast reduction surgery has the highest incidence of numbness to the nipples compared to breast lifts and breast augmentation surgery.

Percentage Risk

The risk of permanent numbness to the nipple and areola, based on national studies, is around 35% with a breast reduction compared to a breast lift, where it is less than 10%. Although the skin incisions are similar with both procedures, with a reduction, actual breast tissue is removed in order to make the breasts smaller, As a result, the risk of injury to the nerves to the nipple area is higher.

Many patients who have very large breasts or severe sagging (ptosis) comment that they have very little sensation to the nipple area to begin with. This may be because of significant stretching on these nerves with breast growth or drooping. It is interesting that in some of these cases, patients will report that they have more sensation after surgery than they had before their procedure.

Temporary Numbness

Partial numbness after breast surgery is usually temporary and generally goes away after a few months but it can take up to two years for complete recovery. This is especially true of the skin on the lower pole of the breasts below the nipples where significant numbness is the norm after breast lifts and reductions and is not uncommon with breast implant surgeries. This area almost always returns to normal sensation after several months; however, certain patients will have some permanent loss of sensation to that area.

Hypersensitivity

Occasionally after a breast procedure, patients will experience an extra or hypersensitivity to the nipple area, which can be bothersome. This is believed to be secondary to a minor injury to the nerve to the nipple and is generally temporary but can take several months to resolve.

What To Expect After A Breast Lift

Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks. You’ll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, which will be red or pink for a few months. Numbness in your nipples, areolae and breast skin might last for about six weeks.

A breast lift is a surgical procedure performed by a plastic surgeon to change the shape of the breasts. During a breast lift, a plastic surgeon removes excess skin and reshapes breast tissue to raise the breasts. A breast lift is also known as mastopexy.

You might choose to have a breast lift if your breasts sag or your nipples point downward. A breast lift might also boost your self-image and self-confidence.

A breast lift won’t change the size of your breasts. However, a breast lift can be done with breast augmentation or breast reduction.

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Why it’s done

Breasts change with age. They often lose firmness. And they become less elastic, which means the skin doesn’t snap back into place after being stretched. There are many causes for these kinds of breast changes, including:

• Pregnancy. During pregnancy, the bands of tissue that support the breasts (ligaments) might stretch. This happens as the breasts get fuller and heavier. The stretching might cause sagging breasts after pregnancy. This may happen whether or not you breastfeed your baby.
• Weight changes. Changes in weight can cause the breast skin to stretch. It also can cause breast skin to become less elastic.
• Gravity. Over time, gravity causes ligaments in the breasts to stretch and sag.

A breast lift can reduce sagging and raise the position of the nipples. The surgery can also lift the darker areas surrounding the nipples (areolae). The size of the areolae may be made smaller to keep them in proportion to the newly shaped breasts.

You might consider a breast lift if:

• Your breasts sag — they’ve lost shape and volume, or they’ve gotten flatter and longer
• Your nipples fall below your breast creases when your breasts aren’t supported
• Your nipples and areolae point downward
• Your areolae have stretched out of proportion to your breasts
• One of your breasts falls lower than the other

A breast lift isn’t for everyone. If you plan to become pregnant in the future, you might delay getting a breast lift. Your breasts could stretch during pregnancy and offset the results of the breast lift.

Breastfeeding may be another reason to delay a breast lift. Although breastfeeding is usually possible after the procedure, it may be harder to produce enough milk.

While a breast lift can be done on breasts of any size, those with smaller breasts will likely have longer lasting results. Larger breasts are heavier, which makes them more likely to sag again.

Risks

A breast lift poses various risks, including:

• Scarring. While scars are permanent, they’ll soften and fade within 1 to 2 years. Scars from a breast lift can usually be hidden by bras and bathing suits. Rarely, poor healing can cause scars to become thick and wide.
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation. Sensation typically returns within several weeks. But some loss of feeling might be permanent. Erotic sensation usually isn’t affected.
• An uneven shape and size of the breasts. This could occur because of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery typically doesn’t change breasts that were different sizes before surgery.
• Partial or total loss of the nipples or areolae. Rarely, the blood supply to the nipple or areola can briefly stop during a breast lift. This can damage breast tissue and lead to the partial or total loss of the nipple or areola.
• Trouble breastfeeding. While breastfeeding is usually possible after a breast lift, some might have trouble producing enough milk.

Like any major surgery, a breast lift poses a risk of bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to the surgical tape or other materials used during or after the procedure.

How you prepare

At first, you’ll talk to a plastic surgeon about a breast lift. During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely:

• Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions. That includes whether you have a family history of breast cancer.Share the results of any mammograms or breast biopsies. Talk about any medications you’re taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you’ve had.
• Do a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, the surgeon will examine your breasts — including the position of your nipples and areolae.The surgeon will also consider the quality of your skin tone. Breast skin that has good tone will hold the breasts in a better position after a breast lift. The surgeon may take pictures of your breasts for your medical record.
• Discuss your expectations. Explain why you want a breast lift. Be clear about how you want your breasts to look after the procedure. Make sure you understand the risks and benefits, including scarring and changes in nipple or breast sensation.

Before a breast lift you might also need to:

• Schedule a mammogram. Your surgeon might recommend a baseline mammogram before the procedure. You may also need another mammogram a few months afterward. This will allow your medical team to see changes in your breast tissue and interpret future mammograms.
• Stop smoking. Smoking decreases blood flow in the skin and can slow the healing process. If you smoke, it’s important to stop smoking before surgery.
• Avoid certain medications. You’ll likely need to avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
• Arrange for help during recovery. Make plans for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you as you begin to recover. You might need someone to help you with daily activities, such as washing your hair, during your initial recovery.
• Be at a healthy weight. Consider making dietary changes or doing an exercise program to assist with weight loss if you’ve gained weight in the past year.

What you can expect

A breast lift can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgical facility. Sometimes the procedure is done with sedation and local anesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anesthesia is recommended. You won’t be awake if you’re given general anesthesia.

During the procedure

Techniques used to remove breast skin and reshape breast tissue vary. The specific technique your plastic surgeon chooses will determine the location of the cuts (incisions) and the resulting scars.

Your surgeon might make incisions:

• Around the areolae — the darker area surrounding the nipples
• Extending downward from the areolae to the breast creases
• Horizontally along the breast creases

The surgeon might place stitches deep within the breasts to reshape the breast tissue. Stitches may also be used to reduce the size of the areolae. They remove excess breast skin and shift the nipples to higher positions. Then the surgeon brings together the breast skin . They close the incisions with stitches, surgical tape or skin adhesives.

The procedure typically takes 2 to 3 hours. You can go home on the same day.

After the procedure

After a breast lift, your breasts will likely be covered with gauze and a surgical support bra. Small tubes might be placed at the incision sites in your breasts to drain any excess blood or fluid.

Your breasts will be swollen and bruised for about two weeks. You’ll likely feel pain and soreness around the incisions, which will be red or pink for a few months. Numbness in your nipples, areolae and breast skin might last for about six weeks.

In the first few days after a breast lift, take pain medication as recommended by your health care provider. Avoid straining, bending and lifting. Sleep on your back or your side to keep pressure off your breasts.

Avoid sexual activity for at least 1 to 2 weeks after the breast lift. Ask your health care provider when it’s OK to resume daily activities, such as washing your hair, showering or bathing.

Drainage tubes may be placed near your incisions and are typically removed within a few days. When your health care provider removes the tubes, they will also probably change or remove your bandages.

Talk to your provider about when — or if — your stitches will be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Your provider must remove some types of stitches, often 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.

Keep wearing the surgical support bra round-the-clock for 3 to 4 days. Then you’ll wear a soft support bra for 3 to 4 weeks. Your health care provider might suggest using silicone tape or gel on your incisions to promote healing.

While you’re healing, keep your breasts out of the sun. Afterward, protect your incisions during sun exposure.

I was 14 years old when I went from flat-chested girl to voluptuous woman—almost overnight. Every girls dream, right? Not really. Having a D cup in your teens and a DD in your 20s is not so much fun.

Besides being uncomfortable naked and in a bathing suit, my neck and shoulders were killing me. And my belief that I looked OK in clothes was shot to pieces one day in my late 20s when I reviewed a taped segment of myself (I was an on-air TV reporter) and saw that I looked like I had two huge grapefruits under my sweater. I was horrified and never appeared on-screen again in anything but a business suit.

Life could have gone on like this—with me enduring the pain in my neck and rib cage, being tired of the sweat that accumulated at night between the two mounds of heavy skin while I tried to sleep, and strapping on several sports bras before every jog—if my mother hadnt met a woman whod had breast-reduction surgery. Id considered reduction mammoplasty, sure, but I really couldnt afford it. (The average cost is $6,000-plus, according to plastic surgery organizations.) But the woman my mother told me about had the surgery and loved it, and her insurance paid for it.

I had no idea my top-heaviness was a medical condition that might be covered. But I was about to find that out. Heres my journey and what you need to know.

The approval process
Insurance companies need to be convinced that breast reduction is medically necessary. And convincing them requires more than just a doctors recommendation. You need real proof. To get it, I went to see an aesthetic-and-reconstructive plastic surgeon. After a quick examination, he told me what I already knew. My breasts were large for my frame, one was a good deal larger than the other, and I had the typical indentation marks on the top of each shoulder where bra straps had pressed into my skin for years. In his opinion, I was a good candidate.

The next step was harder. I had to be photographed from the neck down, and the pictures were sent to my insurer. A panel of doctors would determine if a reduction was appropriate and, most important, if my bill would be paid.

Insurance companies typically make the call by relying on a set of charts that consider height, weight, and the amount of removable tissue in each breast, accord­ing to Amy S. Colwell, MD, a specialist in aesthetic-and-reconstructive breast surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The surgery is covered 90 percent of the time when the tissue to be removed meets insurers standard criteria. (It weighs between 400 grams to 2,000 grams, or about 1 to 4 pounds.) Women with DD, DDD, and H cups usually qualify. But Dr. Colwell says the criteria of different insurers can be fuzzy, and a recent study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that insurers breast-reduction rules arent always based on medical science.

Weeks passed as I waited to hear what a panel of strangers had decided about my naked body. When the call finally came, I was shocked and thrilled all at the same time: The insurance company had approved my surgery, and I would probably go from an overflowing DD to a B. At 5-foot-4 and 130 pounds, I thought that sounded a little bit small, but I knew I needed the surgery. And now, finally, at 30 years old, I could afford it. The cost? My small deductible of $150.

There are several ways to perform a breast reduction. In my case, tissue was removed from the bottom of each breast, and my nipples were moved up without disconnecting them from the blood flow, allowing me to quickly regain sensation. “Nobodys leavin till theyre even,” was my surgeons motto in the operating room.

What about the risks? They include infection, wound breakdown, scarring, and the need for re-operating. Studies suggest that 10 to 50% of women undergoing a reduction may have some complications. But the healthier you are, experts say, the more likely surgery will be a success. Dr. Colwell says most women are extremely satisfied.

With mild pain medication and a full week of rest, recovery was easier than I had anticipated. Early on, I had feeling in one breast but not the other. With time, sensation returned to both, just as the doc said it would.

Two years later, the scars around my nipple and the lower-middle section
of each breast are barely visible. The scars underneath each breast are light-colored and hidden by the natural shape of perky boobs. Because theyre around and below the nipple, they dont show in bikini tops or plunging necklines. To be honest, I love the scars. They are a reminder that I took control of a part of my body that was out of control.

Although it takes months for breasts to take on their permanent shape after a reduction, I quickly looked and felt different. The weight on my neck and rib cage was gone, and, for the first time in a long time, I felt proportional. And my bra size? I turned out to be a perfect 34D. (Once in surgery, my doctor was able to meet the weight-removal requirements set by the insurance company and still leave me with breasts that felt right to me.)

Now that Im out of the Big Bra Club and feel great, Im on a mission to convert other women whose large breasts are a health issue. They need to know that feeling top-heavy, uncomfortable, and embarrassed isnt just a part of life that they need put up with. They need to know its not normal to have to search constantly for a bra that fits or to have backbreaking pain. And although a reduction can limit a womans ability to breast-feed, its unlikely to affect mammograms. Ultimately, these women need to know that big-breast problems can be fixed. For good.

Nerve Regeneration After Breast Reduction

Nerves take time to regenerate, because they grow at a rate of about 1 mm/day. It may take several months after your surgery before you notice sensation returning, and the change in sensation can continue to develop for up to two years.

Oversized, saggy, and hanging breasts can cause physical and emotional challenges for women and affect their quality of life. Large breasts prevent women from showcasing their feminine beauty, finding the clothing fit, and enjoying a happier life. 

There are numerous reasons to undergo breast reduction surgery in Miami. For instance, it helps you stay active, improves your aesthetic appearance, increases self-confidence, relieves nipple insensitivity, reduces upper back and shoulder pain, and alleviates rashes, chafing, and infections. 

Women opting for this procedure seek relief from discomfort and pain caused by the excessive weight of breasts. So, breast reduction surgery can resolve issues like back and neck pain and chafe while improving your breasts’ size and shape. Breast reduction surgery outcomes depend on the surgeon’s skills and postoperative care. 

When you undergo this procedure performed by an amateur surgeon and fail to follow the postoperative care instructions, you will suffer from various problems, such as increased pain, infections, fluid accumulation, blood clotting, and nerve damage. Read on! 

How long does it take for nerves to regenerate after breast surgery?

Damaged nerves reconnect, and ducts make new connections to nipples after the breast reduction surgery. Nipples become more sensitive, and breasts’ ability to produce more milk improves. 

If you have undergone breast reduction surgery performed by a qualified and board-certified surgeon, the chances are that your nerves will regenerate at a rate of one inch per month. Your nerves will regenerate between six and twelve months following the surgery. 

However, recovery time depends on various factors, including the distance nerves need to cover. Postoperative care is essential to streamline the entire process and ensure your nerves regenerate efficiently and quickly without issues. 

How to stimulate nerve regeneration after breast reduction surgery?

Regeneration time depends on various factors, including the type and severity of the injury. For example, if you have bruised or traumatized nerves but they are not cut, it will take at least twelve to fifteen weeks to regenerate. 

Research studies show that cut nerves grow at one millimeter per day after four to eight weeks following the surgery. Some women experience improvement in the following months. 

There are numerous ways to stimulate nerve regeneration following breast reduction surgery. For example, a massage can reduce the effects of injury by reducing compression and triggering cellular mechanisms for the repair process. 

In addition, massage relieves compressed nerves, and repairs damaged tissues to reduce negative sensations, such as numbness, needles, and pins to improve sensation. Moreover, leafy green vegetables can stimulate nerve regeneration. 

Experts recommend consuming spinach, broccoli, and asparagus to relieve nerve damage and improve function. These leafy green veggies contain Vitamin B, an essential nutrient that regenerates nerves and improves their functions. 

Similarly, these veggies contain alpha-lipoic, a micronutrient that prevents further damage to the nerves. Electrical stimulation is another method to accelerate nerve regeneration after breast reduction surgery. It enhances early regenerative phases 

A growing body of research evidence shows that gene therapy can speed up the recovery process after nerve damage caused by breast reduction surgery. Combining gene therapy with surgical repair procedures streamlines nerve fibers regeneration. 

What does nerve pain feel like after breast reduction?

It is normal to experience burning, tingling, numbness, and sharp shooting pains during the recovery period. Sometimes, these sensations or discomforts last for weeks or months after the procedure. 

Nerve pain feels like a stabbing, shooting, and burning sensation. Sometimes, women experience a sharp and sudden electric shock. So, if you have damaged nerves, you will feel severe pain in your breasts. 

In addition, women with nerve pain have breasts sensitive to touch and cold, loss of nipple sensation, numbness of breast skin, and tingling or numbness near incisions. It is crucial to consult your health provider and seek treatment.

Price

Laser Hair Removal is usually completed after 6-8 treatments. Anything after that is most likely unnecessary and a giant waste of money. These prices are directly from quotes given to our clients before they switched to us.

Prices below are to remove hair fully. (Find A Better You prices are for 6 treatments)

Area	“Big Brand Laser Company” Price	Find A Better You Price	Ideal Image Prices
Hands	$1,392	$349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $1,043	N/A
Nipples (Areola)	$2,352	$349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $2,003	N/A
Toes & Feet	$1,392	$349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $1,043	N/A
Underarms(Armpits)	$3,528	$349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $4,151	$4,500
Bikini Line (Sides)	$4,704	$349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $5,650	$5,999
Ears	$1,392	$349 (6 Treatments)Save up to $1,043	N/A
Abdomen	$4,248	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $3,749	N/A
Brazilian	$7,128	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $6,629	$3,700
Buttocks	$4,272	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $3,773	N/A
Neck	$2,832	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $2,333	$1,400
Full Face & Neck	$7,128	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $7,916	$8,415 (Partial Face)
Arms	$7,152	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $6,653	N/A
Back	$6,864	$899 (6 Treatments)Save up to $5,965	N/A
Chest	$4,896	$899 (6 Treatments)Save up to $5,601	$6,500
Lower Legs orUpper Legs	$5,712	$899 (6 Treatments)Save up to $4,813	$3,300 (Price is 80% Off)
Lips & Chin	$3,240 (Chin only)	$499 (6 Treatments)Save up to $941	$1,440 $900 (Lip only)

*The prices are quotes given to clients of ours that switched from these two companies (they may fluctuate in price). These are the prices to normally get rid of hair fully. Find A Better You prices are for 6 treatments.

The Price Breakdown

“Big Brand Laser Company” Laser Hair Removal Cost

As you can see in the table above there are some pretty crazy high prices here. For example: the Bikini Line is $4,355, lower legs are $4,813, underarms are $3,528! Just look at the price differences between Find A Better You vs that other “Big Brand Laser Company”, at Find A Better You, you save $1,043-$6,653 more on just one area! And both businesses use the same laser!! 

Ideal Image Laser Hair Removal Prices

Ideal Image laser hair removal cost is hard to find online. We have some quotes from clients that switched to us. For example: a Full Bikini cost $5,999, a Ideal Image Brazilian cost $3,700, and even the Chest is 6,500! Again these prices are outrageous compared to Find A Better You, you instantly save $901-$5,650 on a single area! Also they have the same laser as Find A Better You and that other “Big Brand Laser Company”.

Find A Better You Prices

Check out our updated prices on our laser hair removal page. It shows all of the areas and prices, we believe in transparency. Our small area is $349 (6 treatments), medium area $499 (6 treatments), and a large area $899 (6 treatments). Those are our prices, and it really is that simple.

Find A Better You vs that “Big Brand Company” vs Ideal Image

All three companies use the same laser (Candela GentleMax Pro). 

At Find A Better You: 
-All our laser technicians are certified by Candela (the company that makes the laser).

-Whenever the laser is in use, we have a doctor (Dr. James Sturm D.O. DABA, FIPP) in the building.

You will most likely get very nice people at all three companies and hopefully be satisfied with your results with all three. You might hear of “unlimited packages” from other companies but honestly it is a waste of money because it only takes 6-8 treatments to get rid of hair completely.

Make sure to ask your laser technician to see their certification. They should be proud to show it to you.