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Bruising Feeling After Breast Implants

asked 3 years ago by CityGirl212 in new york
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 1,557 times
Tags: 3 years post-op, bruising

I got breast implants in 2006. It's been 3 years and everything has been fine, up until this past week when a small area of my right breast has been slighty hurting. It feels as though it was bruised, yet there are no visual indications of a physical, darkened bruise. What could this be? Thanks.

I am a bartender. Could it be possibly because I lifted something too heavy/too quickly and torn something?

15 answers to Bruising Feeling After Breast Implants

You may be right

The expalnation of what is going on may be exactly as you suspect. If the breasts are not harder, it isn't a capsular contracture which is a common cause of breast discomfort. It may be entirely from your breast tissue and not the implant at all. Have you had a recent mammogram? If not, I'd recommend one. If it persists, go back to your plastic surgeon. What you are describing is not uncommon.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Pain in breasts

You may have self diagnosed yoru problem. Some soreness in the breast really can be from almost anything. If you can pinpoint a moment of exertion or perhaps trauma, this is the most likely cause.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

It may not have anything to do with the implants.

It really may have nothing to do with the implants. However, you should see your surgeon for an examination. I would not get too worried about something that occurred three years after your surgery and has only been there for a week. If it does not resolve over the next week or so or if it worsens, then I would suggest seeing your doctor sooner rather than later. Good luck.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Can be a bruised nerve

The nerves that supply the breast come up between the ribs along the side of the breast. It is not uncommon to turn a certain way and ding a sensory nerve. The most common symptom is a deep burn or ache type sensation. If this is the case a little gentle massage on the lateral breast can be beneficial. If your symptoms do not go away in a few days then a visit to your plastic surgeon is indicated.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Could Be A Few Things

First I agree that it could be strain due to your job (which is almost a contact sport in N.Y.). However, capsular contracture usually doesn't set in for several years. Now to be honest I wouldn't worry about this too much. Just about every surgeon puts the implants under the muscle. This reduces capsular contracture to almost nothing. In fact I haven't seen it in my practice. So give it 4-6 weeks. If it continues to be a problem see your plastic surgeon.

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Bruising feeling will go away

Give it sometime, it will likely go away. If you experience spasms you can ask your doctor for a muscle relaxant. It seems you have a small muscle tear or you might just bruise easily.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Bruised feeling after breast implants

You did not specify if your implants were "over" or "under" but I suspect they are under. It is fairly common for women to overly exert themselves and experience brief periods of bruising or swelling. This is the most propable explanation. However, in medicine, we want to make sure it is not something worse. Is there swelling or a mass? Are you a candidate for a mammogram (over 35)? Is this related to your menstrual cycle? Have you chnaged hormone preparations? In... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Bruising feeling after implants not uncommon

It sounds like you mostly likely strained the overlying pectoralis muscle or tore the capsule. This is not an uncommon occurence especially if you are very active. Local measures including cold and warm compresses will help. If it persists for more that a month, I would make an appointment to see your Plastic Surgeon.

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

Bruised breast

City Girl, You may have indeed strained or torn a muscle while lifting something heavy or actively mixing drinks. Try some warm compresses for comfort and rest if you can. Good luck!

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Transient symptoms are common.

To CityGirl212, Hi. If this goes away in a few days, then you can assume it is nothing serious. If it persists, then have a through examination. I wouldn't speculate about the cause. If you have silicone implants, then we recommend that you have an MRI of your breasts after 3 years. An MRI will detect a silent leak.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Bruised feeling probably a muscle pull

At three years after surgery, I think the most likely thing you are experiencing is a pull of the muscle or perhaps a small tear in the scar tissue capsule around the implant. The most prudent course would be to have your plastic surgeon examine you to make sure nothing else is going on.

John Squires, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Likely nothing serious

This sounds like just a muscle pull or other minor injury that should resolve on its own. After three years it is highly unlikely for anything related to the surgery become a problem. However, it is alwasy a good idea to return to your surgeon for an evaluation if the symptom persists.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

It sounds like a muscle strain

It is not uncommon for people to injure themselves from lifting or exercise and attribute it to the implants. Most implants are under the muscle, so a strain or injury can feel like a muscle bruise or cramp. Try anti-inflammatories, such as Aleve or Motrin. If it does not resolve in a few days, you need to think of other issues. 1) Has the Breast become more firm or displaced? 2) Is there a change in the implant shape or size? 3) Is there a local fullness or mass? Most likely this is not... more

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Many things could be going on

It is impossible to say exactly what is the cause of the pain without more of a history and an exam. Certainly you could have pulled a muscle. Certainly you could have bruised something by banging in to something and not even remember it. If it does not continue to improve like any bruise that you would get anywhere else on your body I would call your plastic surgeon and get checked. It never hurts to have a quick exam by a professional. Good luck!