Why Would I Start Feeling Pain Around One Implant 2 Years Post-Op?

Hello,

The onset of pain in one breast two years after breast augmentation is usually either activity related or a symptom of capsule contracture.  If your breasts feel soft and look the same as they have throughout the post-operative period and you have been more active lately with swimming it may just be muscle pain from the activity.  You can diagnose this by giving your upper body some rest.  If the pain goes away you can be confident that it is activity related and not likely a sign of capsule contracture.

All the best,

Dr Repta

To fully answer your question I'd need to know the specifics of your surgery.  If your implants are under your muscle then it's normal to have occasions of muscle pain, twanks, or other discomfort.  This is typically on one side.  The best way to prove that your pain is muscle related put your hand on your hip on the side that's hurting you and push against your hip.  Feel the muscle tht's tightening from your armpit on that side down toward your breast.  If you grab that muscle down toward your breast and squeeze it you will recognize that same pain.  If this isn't the case then your issue may be one of several other that are a bit unusual at this point, but possible.  The other that can cause one sided pain is capsule contracture...a hardening/tightening of the normal scar tissue that surrounds your implant.  This will make the implant on that side feel a bit firmer than the other.

In general, these are questions that your plastic surgeon should be able to answer.  If your plastic surgeon is unsure then a second opinion never hurts!  Good luck!  Scott Newman, MD FACS