Periareolar incision experience?

Bayla

Hi, I'm having 2 lumpectomies on same side for IDC on Aug 30. One is near my nipple and my surgeon asked if I want to reduce visible scars and have the incision at the areola. The downside is "loss of sensation". Has anyone done this? Is it an uncomfortable numb feeling? Or just less sensation? Are you happy with result? I'm ok with decreased sensation, but afraid of it being irritated against my clothing. Thanks

mindthief

Hi Bayla, my lumpectomy was done this way. I wasn't actually given the choice, I guess based on the location/size of my tumour. Obviously every case will be different, but I have been happy with the result. I'm only about 5 weeks out from surgery so there are still some weird feelings in the breast in general and a slight numbness right along in the incision, but I have pretty much normal sensation in the nipple other than that and no issues with clothing. The scar is barely noticeable and the cosmetically the whole outcome looks better than I expected considering they took out over a quarter of my breast tissue.

Rah2464

Bayla I had a benign mass removed years ago on my right breast using this technique. It does hide the scar quite well, however I did experience a fair bit of sensation loss to the nipple. It wasn't uncomfortable or numb feeling, just not nearly as sensitive as lefty so definitely something you want to think about. I wasn't given a choice at the time because the mass was pretty close to the nipple but I would have rather had a scar.

Now, of course, I have no sensation anywhere. I could slam these puppies in a car door and I wouldn't know it.