Nipple Sensation After One Year

Ok, so I'm new here and this is my first post. My story is somewhat long. Pre-op, my left breast was probably a small B, and my right breast was a small A. I had my first breast augmentation (over the muscle, both breasts became a C, I'll check to see the exact size in cc's tomorrow, my card is in the safe and I'm not disturbing sleeping foster puppies for nothing lol) in North Carolina June 2010. My husband is in the USMC and one week after having surgery and even going back to the clinic for a recheck (everything appeared ok to them), we made our long journey to California. A few days after moving on base, I feel sick. A couple days go by, and I feel worse. I go to the naval hospital on base, they feel I have an infection from the implants, so long story short, they are both removed at exactly 3 weeks post op, and yes, they were infected, lucky me. The reports are sent to my plastic surgeon, who is dumbfounded. I feel incredibly lucky to have the plastic surgeon I did, because in January 2011, I had a second breast augmentation at completely no cost to me. Every single person there is beyond nice and I even met the implant supplier who donated the implants to me, awesome people! This time, though, the implants are partially under the muscle. Everything else is the same. Oh, and they're the Mentor Silicone Gel implants and my incisions were at the crease. It's been over a year now and have had no complications. No pain, no nothing, I absolutely love them and how natural they feel and look. My only problem is nipple sensation. One of the ladies there told me my nipple sensation should come back within a few weeks. It's been over a year now and nada... nothing. (It may be helpful to mention I never got it back even after taking the first pair of implants out) Both of my breasts used to be completely numb post-op but slowly, over the past year, I can feel most of both of my breasts. The area directly under my nipples are still numb, though. I used to have awesome nipple sensation, almost to the point of being too much. Now, I can't even feel them when my husband touches them. If they're pinched, it hurts really really bad, even if slightly pinched, so I can feel pain. They still perk up when touched. They DO NOT perk up when I'm cold. I can be shivering and they're oblivious lol. My question is, has anyone gone this long without any nipple sensation at all, besides the pain when pinched, and slowly gotten it back with more time? I've read on some sites that it can take two years to come back and one lady said it took four years for her sensation to come back. I fully realize now that it may be permanent, but I hate how all the ladies at the clinic made it seem like it was unheard of for it not to come back by a few months. I've addressed this issue with someone at the clinic, I'm not sure if I should say his name, but he's very knowledgeable and helped me so much after I had to take out my first pair of implants. Anyway, he said to try massaging my breasts and nipples for about 5-10 minutes, several times a day. Has anyone tried this and had it work for them? Even when I had my first pair, I had no sensation whatsoever by the time they were removed. I'm thinking maybe they just need more time since even my overall breast sensation is still improving, the infection I had with the first pair may have screwed things up in there, or I may be one of the unlucky ones who never gets it back. Am I alone in this? I had always learned getting the incision at the crease of the breasts would actually be the best option for not ruining nipple sensation but of course, with my luck, it completely goes away haha. I know everyone is different but I feel like I'm kind of the odd one out. Thank you guys so much for reading this; I know it's a long post. I will be able to add a picture tomorrow, or later as I should say, since it's after 3 AM where I live. :)

Hi and welcome! Sorry i cant really help about your problem but im sure there are some ladies who will !!xxx

I've known many people who have not had sensation return to numb parts of their breast after one year. I have numb patches under my breasts and at nearly 3 years it has not returned. After doing research myself on numbness most surgeons seem to agree by 1 year if sensation has not returned the % chance of it ever returning is low. If it has not returned by 2 years it is likely to be permanent. Massage can help the nerves to regenerate but if they were badly damaged or cut it will not help them regrow. So massage is worth a try.

Hi hrhodes04

Welcome. I can't help with your predicament as I am only 2 weeks post op but wanted to pass on this poll I found on another ba forum in case it helps:

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There's one interesting answer on there quoting a 2006 US study. It indicates that loss of sensitivity is nothing to do with the placement of the incision, but is sometimes more affected by the size of the implant. Take a look - at least you will see that you are not alone and all hope is not lost!

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