Hypersensitivity After Breast Reduction? And as a human being, I’ve experienced my share of heightened sensitivity following breast reduction. This is something that many doctors don’t discuss with their patients, and I want to write about it for two reasons: first, because I’ve heard from countless women who have experienced pain and discomfort after their surgery, and second, because it’s so common that I feel compelled to write about it. From what I’ve seen, this is an issue that can be handled easily.
After surgery, some women experience nipple hypersensitivity that can last for months, sometimes even up to a year. This need not be the case. What if you’re one of the fortunate few that has zero issues? In that case, congrats! You are fortunate indeed!
A reduction mammoplasty decreases the size of the breasts making it more proportional to the frame. This procedure has been in practice for over half a century and has gradually evolved to what it is today. In this blog post, I am going to give you an insight into the history of breast reduction surgery and its significance toward women today. Read on to learn more on common problems after breast reduction surgery/how to regain sensation after breast reduction.
Hypersensitivity After Breast Reduction
Breast implants can offer a boost of self-esteem or restore a woman’s comfort in her own skin. While breast augmentation surgery is very common and has a fast recovery time (Over 99% of Dr. Adams’ patients return to normal activities within 24 hours after the surgery), some harmless side effects may occur post-op. Some patients experience a numbness or tingling, and one of the most common side effects women report after the procedure is that their breasts feel tender or sensitive.
WHY DOES SENSITIVITY OCCUR?
If you’re experiencing increased sensitivity after surgery, don’t fret. It’s likely only temporary and there are many reasons why this happens.
Nipple or breast sensitivity that occurs after you get implants is known as hypersthesias or neuropathic paion. When breast augmentation surgery is performed, skin and nerves are stretched in order to accommodate the breast implant. Whether or not you experience hypersthesia depends on many factors. If you are increasing your breast size significantly, there may be a higher chance you might experience this nerve-related discomfort.
The nerve-related discomfort typically arises after the initial recovery, about 3 weeks – 9 months post-surgery.
Regardless of the reason, most of these sensations are caused by temporary changes to the many nerves of your breast. The surrounding myelin, or “insulation,” around that nerve is affected during the surgery, and tenderness can persist until the body has time to repair the myelin and restore normal function to that nerve.
HOW CAN YOU RELIEVE BREAST SENSITIVITY AFTER SURGERY?
Most sensitivity or numbness will go away on its own within 3 – 4 months after breast augmentation surgery. By that time, the body has had a chance to repair any nerve and skin damage, and the implants have had a chance to “settle in.” However, during the time that you are experiencing discomfort, there are a few things you can try to provide some relief.
Anti-inflammatory medication, such as Ibuprofen (Advil) work well to help reduce any pain or tenderness you are experiencing.
Using nipple protectors, gauze pads or large bandaids over the nipples may also provide some relief. This will prevent your nipples from rubbing against your clothing, which tends to increase the sensitivity and discomfort.
How To Regain Sensation After Breast Reduction
Vitally, you should avoid any strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until six weeks have passed, as pressure on the chest can further damage the nerves. Additionally, getting enough sleep after breast reduction will endorse healing as the body repairs during this time.
The day of your breast reduction surgery will also likely be the first day of your recovery at home. Done under general anesthesia, this outpatient surgery is followed by a recovery period of an hour or two. As you slowly wake up, your job is to let your nurses know about any pain or nausea, so they can insure you are as comfortable as possible.
Once you are alert enough, you will be given home instructions which may include incision care, activity restrictions, and prescription medication use. Ask as many questions as you need. Then you will be discharged into the care of whomever you have pre-arranged to take you home.
You will have bandages covering the incisions and will likely be wearing a post-operative bra that was put on after surgery. You will notice right away that, though they are a little swollen, your breasts are smaller. You probably won’t see your incisions that first day because they will be covered with gauze. Under that gauze your body will be busy starting the healing process. To help that along, your job is simply to rest.
After Breast Reduction: The First Week
Ideally you will have arranged to take the first week or two off from work and other taxing obligations, so you can continue to rest and recover. Some patients have been able to return to work after three or four days, particularly if they have desk jobs. The early post-op period is a time to eat well, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity.
You will also be dealing with some post surgical pain during this first week. The degree of pain varies from patient to patient but remarkably most patients are pleasantly surprised that the pain is less then they were expecting. In fact most patients complain more of a “tight” feeling then severe pain. Nonetheless, it is important not to let the pain get ahead of you, especially during the first three to five days after surgery. Take your pain medications on schedule, as they can take a little while to kick in. When able, you may be able to switch to an over-the-counter pain medication as discussed with your doctor.
Take a few moments to go through the instructions given to you at your pre—operative appointment and after surgery once or twice more during this week. Make sure you understand them and don’t be afraid to call the office if you have any questions or concerns. Following doctor’s orders is the best way to ensure the best possible outcome. This may include incision care and bandaging to prevent infection, as well as specific activity restrictions. The internet is a convenient source of all kinds of post operative advice; however, this advice may not be what your surgeon wants you to do. Since the internet didn’t perform your surgery, it probably shouldn’t be taking care of you after surgery.
While you do need to rest and take precautions you should not spend this first week just staying in bed. Part of your recovery should include gentle activity, like walking, and a gradual return to self-care activities. Also, if you quit smoking before surgery, don’t give in to the temptation to start again. Smoking can get in the way of the healing process.
After Breast Reduction: The First Month
Incredible change happens this first month; your incisions will heal, and you will begin feeling like yourself again. You will also start experiencing the benefits of your breast reduction, like decreased neck and shoulder pain, better fitting clothes, and increased freedom of movement. These benefits depend largely on the reasons you went in for a breast reduction in the first place.
Enjoy these things but remember you are still in the early stages of healing, so don’t jump back into full activity too soon. Don’t hesitate to ask if you are not sure whether an activity is too rigorous. After a week or so, your surgeon will probably clear you to return to work (depending on your job requirements) and you’ll likely be driving by then as well. Near the end of the month you may be allowed to begin low-impact exercise.
It may be tempting to wear tight fitting clothes that you couldn’t before, but for now, stick to soft undergarments and looser clothing that won’t interfere with the healing at your incisions sites. Once your incisions have healed, your surgeon will also likely suggest you start using some sort of silicone-based product (cream or tape) on them. These can be very effective at reducing the appearance of scars in the long run.
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.
common problems after breast reduction surgery
If you’re having a breast reduction in England, check with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
All independent clinics and hospitals that provide cosmetic surgery in England must be registered with the CQC.
Be careful when searching the internet for breast reduction surgery. Some clinics may pay to advertise their services on search listings.
Check the surgeon is registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). They should be listed on the specialist register and have a licence to practise.
Also, check the British Association of Plastic Reconstruction and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) or the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) to see if the surgeon is a “full member” on the specialist register for plastic surgery.
Always book an appointment to meet the surgeon before the procedure.
Ask your surgeon:
- about their qualifications and experience
- how many breast reduction operations they have performed
- how many operations they have performed where there have been complications
- what sort of follow-up you should expect if things go wrong
- what their patient satisfaction rates are
What breast reduction involves
Breast reduction surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic. This means you’ll be asleep during the operation.
Generally, the operation involves:
- moving your nipple to its new position – usually while it’s still attached to the blood supply
- removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from your breasts
- reshaping the remaining breast tissue
The operation takes 2 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the breast reduction.
You’ll usually need to stay in hospital for 1 or 2 nights.
Afterwards
When you wake up after surgery, you’ll have dressings on your breasts and plastic tubes may be attached to them to drain blood away.
After 1 to 2 days, the tubes will be removed and you’ll usually be able to go home.
You may have some pain for a few days, which can be relieved with painkillers.
It’s likely your breasts will be swollen, and may feel tender and lumpy after surgery. The swelling may last for around 3 months.
You will not see what your breasts look like until the swelling has gone down.
Recovery
It can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from breast reduction surgery.
You may need to take 2 to 3 weeks off work, and need help with housework, childcare and shopping.
You should not drive until it’s no longer painful to wear a seatbelt. This may be several weeks.
Avoid stretching, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for up to 6 weeks after the operation.
Some surgeons suggest wearing a sports bra 24 hours a day for up to 3 months after breast surgery. Check with your surgeon.
The length of time you need to keep the dressings on depends on how quickly your wounds heal.
Stitches will need to be removed after a week or 2, unless they’re dissolvable.
Scars
You’ll probably have scars around your nipples.
You may also have a vertical scar running down your breast and a horizontal scar across the crease, below the breast (anchor-shaped).
Or you may only have a vertical scar running down your breast.
It depends on the type of surgery you have.
Scars are usually red for the first 6 weeks, but most fade over time and should be invisible under normal clothes, bras and bikini tops.
What could go wrong
Breast reduction surgery can sometimes result in problems, including:
- thick, obvious scarring
- unevenly shaped breasts or nipples
- wound healing problems
- loss of nipple sensation
- being permanently unable to breastfeed
- red or lumpy breasts if the fat dies (fat necrosis)
- excess skin left around the scars, which may need to be surgically removed
- bleeding inside the breast tissue (haematoma) – this generally happens within the first 24 hours after the operation
Also, any type of operation carries a small risk of:
- excessive bleeding
- infection
- an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic
- a blood clot forming in the deep veins
Your surgeon should explain how likely these risks and complications are, and how they’d be treated if you have them.
What to do if you have problems
Cosmetic surgery can sometimes go wrong and the results may not be what you expected.
Contact the clinic where you had the operation as soon as possible if you have severe pain or any unexpected symptoms, such as red skin, burning, or unusual swelling on or around your breast.
If you’re not happy with the results of your breast reduction, or you think the procedure was not carried out properly, speak to your surgeon at the hospital or clinic where you were treated.
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.