Breast augmentation using implants is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures today. As this type of surgery is always improving in terms of safety, more women tend to consider this method to achieve a good-looking body. If we think of cosmetic surgeries in general, all the side effects and complications have significantly reduced in the last ten years. If back in 2007, cosmetic surgeries had around 20% of patients developing complications after a procedure, in the present the percentage is 10%. Of course, this refers to all cosmetic surgeries combined.
If we are to speak about breast implants, between the same years’ complications and side effects, the numbers have reduced from 25% to 5-7%. This is due to the experience gathered and developments in this area.
As any invasive medical procedure however, a breast augmentation using implants is not 100% safe, and there are some minor side effects that can occur after or during the procedure. As most women interested in this type of procedure know about the usual side effects, there is one that needs a closer look, which is your breast sensitivity.
First of all, you should know that this side effect in particular is absolutely normal, as the surgeon will interact with nerves around the area. However, this is not permanent, and you will regain your normal sensitivity after a few weeks or months. Only a small percentage can regain full sensitivity after a year or two. Most women ask if this sensitivity loss can be permanent. Numbers show that only 0.8% would suffer a permanent loss of sensitivity in small areas.
A loss in sensitivity is more likely to occur near the nipple, around the areola. This happens mainly because your surgeon will have to make space for the implants, and sometimes your nerves will be pushed away or squeezed. Also, a small area around the nipple can be affected by pain, but this will fade while your nerves manage to adapt to your new implants.
Basically in the end, your loss of sensitivity can depend on a few factors, and this is how you avoid it as much as possible:
● Do not overdo it with your implant size: – As your surgeon will probably interact with some nerves while placing your implants inside, the bigger the implants, the bigger the chances.
● Decide your incision location with your surgeon: Your surgeon can perform the incision under your breast (inframammary), around the nipple (periareolar), in the armpit (trans-axillary), or rarely, through the navel (trans-umbilical). Statistics show that 15% of the women developed a change in breast sensitivity when they had incisions around the nipple and only 5% of patients developed the same side effect while having the incision placed under the breast. Same statistics showed only 1% of patients developed a sensory loss while using a trans-axillary incision.
Also, it is known that women who are subjected to multiple interventions are more likely to develop this side effect, and it is better to avoid having many surgeries augmenting your breasts.