When Olivia Munn recently spoke out about filming a topless scene for her new show after undergoing a double mastectomy, her reflections struck a chord with breast cancer survivors across the country. Munn’s openness about how her body has changed—and how that change is rarely acknowledged in public conversations—highlighted the emotional and physical complexities that persist long after treatment ends.
When a woman undergoes a mastectomy, she faces the physical and emotional challenges of breast cancer treatment and the long-term impacts of the surgery itself. One such impact is the loss of sensation in the chest, a consequence rarely discussed up front yet profoundly affecting quality of life. This loss of sensation means that many women are left completely and permanently numb—unable to feel warmth, touch, or even pain in the affected area, which can hinder emotional intimacy, alter body image, and leave them vulnerable to injury without realizing it.
For Susy Solino, a second-generation breast cancer survivor, this realization marked the beginning of a journey filled with advocacy, discovery, and hope. Her story illustrates how patients can overcome barriers to reclaim their lives and regain sensation—and how surgeons can help them along the way.
Discovering The Challenges
At just 29 years old, Susy received a breast cancer diagnosis, an unexpected shock for someone planning a wedding and contemplating starting a family. While grappling with the emotional weight of her diagnosis, she was further blindsided by the revelation that a mastectomy could result in permanent loss of sensation—a fact that wasn’t disclosed until several appointments into her treatment planning.
Imagine being 29 years old, committed to having children, then realizing you will never feel the warmth of their embrace on your chest. You may never experience intimacy the same way again. These possibilities are a dark reality and cannot be ignored.
“When I finally understood what sensation loss meant, it felt like the world had ended again,” Susy recalled. “I’d accepted that I couldn’t breastfeed and that my body would change in a way that would be much harder to heal from, but I wasn’t prepared for this. It was devastating and very lonely.”
Adding to her distress was the lack of information about potential solutions. Her doctors presented the loss of sensation as inevitable, offering no alternatives.
“It suddenly became a two-pronged issue to wrestle with,” Susy told me. “Not only was I grappling with a much larger sacrifice than I could ever have been prepared for, but my shock was received with shrugs and tales of ‘this is just how it is.’ It felt alien to me that in 2024—when medicine had accomplished so many marvels—a woman’s ability to feel her breasts after mastectomy was treated like a trivial matter. I began to question myself. Was I being shallow? Too emotional? Maybe they were right, and survival should be enough.”
Patients Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands
With limited guidance, Susy turned to her fiancé, Brady, who became her unwavering advocate. He immersed himself in research, reading medical papers, watching videos, and connecting dots that healthcare professionals thus far had overlooked while discussing her treatment plan.
“I was terrified and felt paralyzed,” Susy shared. “But my fiancé refused to give up. He did the research I couldn’t bring myself to do and kept pushing for answers. Without him, I don’t know if I would have found a solution.”
Their determination eventually led them to my office, where I introduced them to a procedure that reconnects nerves that are cut during mastectomy. It was clear from our first meeting that Susy and her fiancé had done their homework and were committed to finding a solution, allowing them to enjoy a life as normal as possible.
The nerve reconstruction procedure involves using nerve allografts to bridge gaps between severed nerves in the breast…potentially restoring sensation over time.
The Nerve Repair Process And The Journey To Recovery
The nerve reconstruction procedure involves using nerve allografts to bridge gaps between severed nerves in the breast. The grafts provide a pathway for the nerves to regrow and establish connections, potentially restoring sensation over time. Nerve repair has been performed all over the body with great success for decades, but it isn’t yet standard practice in breast reconstruction. While there is always a chance that the nerves might not cooperate, the procedure is still worth it. Patients have nothing to lose and will be in the same position if their nerves don’t regrow; not doing anything ensures that sensation loss remains permanent.
Recovery from mastectomy and breast reconstruction is both physical and emotional. It takes time for your body to heal, and nerves are no different. Immediately after surgery, Susy couldn’t feel a thing. She didn’t know if that would change, but she knew the process would take time. Her patience was rewarded; several months into her recovery, she started noticing subtle sensations.
“At first, it was just small areas where I could feel light touches,” she recalled. “My fiancé and I would do touch tests, and each time I felt something new, it felt like a victory.”
Over the following months and years, Susy’s sensation continued to improve. “It’s not perfect, but I feel more like myself,” she said. “Those small milestones helped me heal, not just physically but emotionally.”
While sensation won’t ever be the same as before mastectomy, even partial sensory recovery can significantly improve quality of life. Every patient is different, but for many, regaining even a small percentage of sensation gradually over time can make a world of difference. For Susy, each new feeling was a reminder of her strength and perseverance.
Reclaiming Life
Susy’s journey underscores the importance of patient advocacy and the power of knowledge. Advocacy doesn’t mean taking on the entire burden alone but rather being equipped with the right questions and seeking out surgeons who are knowledgeable and experienced in nerve repair.
“I want other women to know they don’t have to settle,” Susy says. “Sensation isn’t trivial—it does matter. You’re allowed to want to feel whole again. You’re allowed to ask for that without feeling stupid, shallow, or ashamed. It’s amazing that doctors don’t want us to die, but it would be even better if they helped us live too.”
Increased awareness among both patients and surgeons is key to making nerve repair a standard part of breast cancer care. Surgeons must meet patients where they are, ensuring they are informed about all available options while guiding them through these complex decisions with empathy and expertise.
For those facing similar challenges, Susy offers this advice, “Even if it feels overwhelming, don’t give up. Every step you take to advocate for yourself is a step toward reclaiming your life.”
For additional insight, see www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/olivia-munn-reflects-topless-scene-new-show-double-mastectomy-rcna199364.
About the Author
Dr. Jonathan Bank is a board-certified plastic surgeon and an internationally known expert in microsurgery. He practices at NYBRA Plastic Surgery in Thomaston, NY, where a particular area of specialty is sensation restoration of the reconstructed breast.