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Pain, Swelling, Nipple Sensitivity After Breast Augmentation Surgery
Part of the question regarding nipple pain post-operatively should involve a discussion of the approach used for your breast augmentation. Was it through the areola (the dark area near your nipple)? If it wasn't and infection has been ruled out the pain may be transmitted from stretch, or less likely, direct trauma to nerves that provide sensation to the nipple. If your pain is associated with an incision near your areola then this may be a sign of cutaneous nerve injury which should improve with time as well. As always, when your post-operative course is a concern you should contact your surgeon and have an examination of the post-op results.
Clinical Context
Nipple sensation is carried mainly by branches of the intercostal nerves, which pass through the same tissue where the implant pocket is created. Most sensory changes after augmentation come from stretching these nerves rather than cutting them, and this type of injury usually improves gradually over weeks to months. During recovery, some patients notice tingling, burning, or heightened sensitivity before normal feeling returns. Larger implants place more stretch on these nerves, so sensation changes are somewhat more common with them. Changes lasting well beyond a year may not fully resolve.
