Resensation® in Holmdel, NJ

Restoring Feeling, Not Just Shape

Resensation® is a nerve-preserving breast reconstruction technique that reconnects sensory nerves during surgery, giving patients the chance to regain natural sensation in the reconstructed breast, something traditional reconstruction alone often doesn’t restore.

Most conversations about reconstruction focus on how the breast will look after a mastectomy. Fewer focus on how it will feel, even though sensation after mastectomy is a major concern. For many patients, breast nerve damage and the loss of natural breast sensation are deeply felt long after visible healing is done. Resensation® in Holmdel, NJ was developed as a sensation-preserving approach to address exactly that gap. At Samra Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we serve patients throughout Monmouth and Middlesex counties and discuss this option early in your reconstructive planning, since nerve preservation techniques are typically most effective when built into the original surgery rather than added afterward.

Benefits of Resensation® Surgery

By preserving and reconnecting key sensory nerves during reconstruction, Resensation® aims to restore feeling alongside form.

The potential for restored protective and erogenous sensation in the reconstructed breast
Nerve reconnection performed at the same time as your primary reconstruction, without a separate surgery
Compatibility with both implant-based and tissue-based (flap) reconstruction techniques
Improved ability to detect temperature, pressure, and touch over time
A more complete sense of physical wholeness following mastectomy
An additional layer of safety, since protective sensation can help you notice injury to the reconstructed area

Am I a Good Candidate for Resensation®?

You may be a good candidate for Resensation® if you’re planning breast reconstruction and want to explore preserving sensation as part of that surgery, regardless of which reconstructive method you choose.

Good candidates typically:

Are planning implant-based or flap-based breast reconstruction
Have nerve tissue available near the mastectomy site suitable for reconnection
Understand that sensation return is gradual and varies significantly between patients
Are in good overall health and medically cleared for their primary reconstruction
Have realistic expectations, since Resensation® increases the potential for sensation but cannot guarantee a specific outcome
Are planning their reconstruction early enough to incorporate nerve preservation into the surgical plan

During your consultation, we review your case with your reconstructive plan in mind, since Resensation® is built into the primary surgery rather than performed as a separate, later procedure.

Concerns Addressed by Resensation®

This technique closes a gap that reconstruction alone often leaves open. Concerns we address include:

Complete or near-complete loss of sensation after mastectomy
Feeling emotionally disconnected from a reconstructed breast
Reduced ability to detect injury, heat, or pressure in the reconstructed area
A desire for reconstruction that restores more than visual appearance alone
Uncertainty about whether sensation-preserving options exist for your reconstruction type
Concerns about intimacy and physical connection following mastectomy

What to Expect During Resensation®

Because this technique is incorporated into your primary reconstruction, here’s how it typically unfolds.

Surgical Planning

Your surgeon identifies which sensory nerves near the mastectomy site are suitable for preservation or reconnection, based on your anatomy and reconstruction type.

Nerve Reconnection

During your primary reconstruction surgery, your surgeon carefully preserves and reconnects these nerves, often using a processed nerve allograft to bridge any gaps.

Integration With Reconstruction

This step is performed alongside implant placement or flap transfer, adding time to your primary surgery without requiring a separate procedure.

Gradual Nerve Regeneration

Nerves regenerate slowly, often at about an inch per month, so sensation returns gradually over many months to a couple of years.

Long-Term Follow-Up

Your recovery and sensation progress are monitored at routine follow-up visits alongside your broader reconstructive care.

Before and After Care Guidelines

Before Your Surgery

Discuss nerve preservation early, ideally during your initial reconstructive consultation
Review which reconstruction types you’re considering, since Resensation® can pair with several
Ask your surgeon whether your specific anatomy is suitable for nerve reconnection
Set realistic expectations about the gradual timeline for sensation return

After Your Surgery

Recovery generally follows the timeline of your primary reconstruction, since Resensation® doesn’t require separate healing time
Early sensation changes, including numbness or tingling, are a normal part of nerve regeneration
Meaningful sensation return often develops gradually over 6 months to 2 years
Results vary significantly between patients and are not guaranteed
Ongoing follow-up helps track your progress over time

Our team sets expectations clearly from the start, since patience is a real part of this process.

Why Choose Samra Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery for Resensation®?

Board-certified plastic surgery practice with more than four decades of experience
Early, proactive conversations about sensation preservation during reconstructive planning
Familiarity with incorporating Resensation® into both implant-based and flap reconstruction
Honest expectation-setting about a technique that varies patient to patient
Proudly serving patients throughout Monmouth and Middlesex counties

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to regain sensation with Resensation®?

Nerve regeneration is gradual, often unfolding over 6 months to 2 years. Some patients notice earlier changes, while others take longer, and outcomes vary by individual.

Can Resensation® be added after my reconstruction is already complete?

Resensation® is designed to be incorporated during your primary reconstruction. If you’ve already completed reconstruction, our team can discuss whether any nerve-related options are still relevant to your case.

Does Resensation® work with both implants and flap reconstruction?

Yes. The technique can be incorporated into implant-based reconstruction or tissue-based methods like the DIEP flap, depending on your surgical plan.

Is sensation return guaranteed?

No technique can guarantee full sensation return. Resensation® increases the potential for restored feeling, but individual nerve healing varies considerably.

Does adding Resensation® significantly lengthen my surgery?

It typically adds time to your primary reconstruction surgery rather than requiring a separate procedure, though the exact amount depends on your specific case.

Ready to Explore Resensation® in Holmdel, NJ?

Schedule a consultation with Samra Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery to discuss whether Resensation® fits into your reconstructive plan. Call us at 732-327-0249 or reach out online.