Why Do my Breast Feel VERY Sunburned After Breast Augmentation?

asked 6 months ago by Sophie in OC in Orange County, CA
Latest answer by Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Question viewed 464 times
Tags: silicone implant, 3 weeks post-op, causes, sunburn

I'm 34yrs old just had breast aug out 18days ago. I have 492cc silicone implants. My breast feel very sunburned! My bra & clothes hurt when they touch my skin. I have asked many friends & no one seems to know what I am talking about. My doctor says that it will go away, but I'm begining to think that something went wrong & I'm gonna feel like this for ever.

11 answers to Why Do my Breast Feel VERY Sunburned After Breast Augmentation?

Healing after breast augmentation

There are many unusual sensations in the first few weeks and months after augmentation; there can be burning itching numbness tightness insects crawling these usually go away with time. make sure there are no allergies, meds , tapes , clothing , bra advil , benedryl , clariton can help

Jed H. Horowitz, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Sensation like a sunburn of breasts following a breast augmentation

The sensation of having a sunburn of your breasts is not a rare phenomenon following a breast augmentation. This is related to nerve fiber irritation and stretching which can manifest as hypersensitivity. Some women find that even the lightest touching of clothes on their skin, particularly their nipples, can be very uncomfortable. Fortunately, this will resolve usually without being a chronic problem. It can take several weeks or more for symptoms to largely disappear. Sometimes, a limited... more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

"Sunburned feeling" after breast augmentation is normal!

Please be reassured that there are sensory nerves that are unavoidably cut, irritated, and stretched by the surgical process of creating a pocket for the implants, as well as the resultant tissue de-stretch, swelling decrease, and gradual return to normal as healing occurs. Burning, itching, tingling, and sharp "static electric"-like sensations are all described by patients. Perhaps your friends (who presumably had the same operation) simply felt "numb" after their... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

Hypersensitivity

This is not common, but can happen and does not mean necessarily that anything has gone wrong. In the cases I have seen, this resolves over a 3-4 month period. Nerve endings are irritated and disrupted from the surgery and some women do experience these symptoms.

Michael Hueneke, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

Sunburned feeling after breast augmentation

It is common for the breasts to feel different, particularly sensitive, after augment surgery. Patients do liken this to the feeling of being sunburned. This should subside over several months. Be patient and remember to communicate with your plastic surgeon during the healing process.

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Strange feelings very common after breast surgery

Not only is it common, but I can't remember a patient who doesn't have some areas that feel "strange". When you lift up the tissue to put in the implant you have some temporary damage or injury to the nerve. You are early in the healing process so give it a few months. Continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Breasts Feeling Sensitive After Augmentation

It is common to have odd or strange feelings in your breasts after surgery. The breasts can be overly sensitive or numb depending upon how your nerves respond. The swelling of the nerves results in the nerve being altered in its ability to send a message along its path. Thus, the feelings result from the nerve not sending normal impulses to your brain. Your surgeon is correct that this will improve with time, and sometimes massage can help if you are experiencing pain in one particular... more

Vincent P. Marin, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.marinaesthetics.com

Hypersensitivity Normal After Breast Augmentation

It is completely normal for women to have breast hypersensitivity after a breast augmentation. For some, this is just in the nipple area, while for others it is the entire breast. The nerves that supply sensation to the breasts get stretched out during surgery, and they do not like to be stretched at all. This can lead them to act in strange ways until they get used to the new dynamics. Just be patient and these things should resolve on their own. It may take a... more

Christopher V. Pelletiere, MD
Barrington Plastic Surgeon

Sensitivity Should Improve

The sunburned sensation is not unusual and is due to stretch of the nerves that give sensation to the skin of the breasts. This is usually self limited as the inflammation subsides and the tissue loosens. It should slowly improve and be minimal in a month or so. It may last 6 months or so, though. Light massage may help.

Brian Klink, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Breast Hypersensitivity After Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. Hypersensitivity of the breasts can and/or nipple/areola complexes can occur after breast surgery. This is likely related to inflammation around nerves supplying the skin of the breasts. This hypersensitivity tends to dissipate over the course of several weeks to months. Anti-inflammatories under the direction of the surgeon may be helpful. I was just continued follow-up with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Sunburn feeling after BA

The feeling of sunburn is not unusual at all. It happens because the nerves are stretched and the feeling has not yet returned to normal. When it happens it usually goes away gradually by 2-3 months after surgery. In your case, your implants are a bit on the larger side and probably contributed. I recommend starting gentle touch massage to desensitize the skin. Arnica cream or gel also helps.