One Patient’s Story: Breast Sensation Back After Mastectomy
Women who undergo a mastectomy and then have breast reconstruction surgery now have a new procedure that can restore sensation to their reconstructed breast. Unfortunately, not all women know that they lose the feeling in their breasts and nipples after a mastectomy. During a mastectomy, the nerves to the breast and nipple are cut, causing loss of sensation and numbness. This new procedure, known as breast resensation, takes a nerve from another area of the patient’s body which is then transplanted to reconnect the chest and the reconstructed breast. Over time, the nerve regenerates and restores feeling and sensation to the breast and nipple. Breast resensation surgery can also be combined with breast implant procedures as well.
(Illustration courtesy of Axogen)
One success story of breast resensation surgery comes from Stephanie Finley, recently featured in America’s Women Magazine: Atlanta Edition. Stephanie underwent a single mastectomy after discovering a lump in her breast that turned out to be cancerous. While she was relieved that the cancer had been removed, she was dismayed upon the total loss of sensation on the side where the breast was removed. “I felt strange and incomplete, like I wasn’t fully connected to my body,” she noted.
In the article, Finley said she was unaware that numbness was a significant side effect of mastectomy. She relates that before her breast resensation surgery, the entire side of the chest where the breast reconstruction was performed was numb. “I believe that if I could feel before my breast cancer diagnosis, I should be able to feel after, and if there is something that can be done to help women feel more normal and feel more like themselves after breast cancer, I am all for it,” she indicated.
The breast resensation surgery has allowed her to regain intimacy and physical connection with her family. She says her surgeon, Dr. Michael Mirzabeigi offered her this procedure that has made her regain sensation in her breast. “Being able to feel my kids resting their heads on my chest or my spouse giving me a hug-It was so important for me to still feel my family,” Finley said.
A woman can decide to have breast resensation surgery at the same time as the mastectomy and breast reconstruction or breast resensation surgery can be performed months or years later. As far as regaining sensation, nerves grow at the rate of 1 millimeter a month. Sensation may return several months after surgery but can show improvement even years later.
(Illustration courtesy of Axogen)
For more information on breast resensation surgery or if you would like to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact Dr. Michael Mirzabeigi at Atlanta Plastic Surgery to set up a consultation. Breast resensation surgery can be scheduled through our offices in Atlanta, Cumming / Forsyth, and Northside / Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Midtown and Canton/Cherokee. To read more about her story, click here.
