Pain and Numbness in Arm After Anchor Lift w/ Augmentation

asked 1 year ago by ebb123 in Virginia
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 291 times
Tags: arms, anchor, numb, pain

I had an anchor lift w/ augmentation on 3/18/11. Within about a week and half I started getting pain in my left armpit that went down my entire arm. I am still getting this pain and the left breast is more swollen than the right. I have also been spitting stitches in the left breast worst than the right. My dr said it was just the nerves but why would it not have resolved by now? The left breast seems more firm than the right also. What could be causing this? Too soon for CC right? Thank you.

4 answers to Pain and Numbness in Arm After Anchor Lift w/ Augmentation

Pain and numbness after anchor lift and augmentation may be a sign of hematoma.

At one month post-op, your breast nerves are indeed beginning to heal and recover their ability to send (painful) sensory impulses. This also occurs as swelling decreases, and stretched nerves return to their normal state. The fact that your left breast lift is "spitting stitches" may account for some of your swelling, but maybe you have a (small-moderate sized) hematoma in your breast pocket. Left undrained, this layer of blood around your implant could indeed lead to capsular... more

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS
Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

Complication after Breast Augmentation/Lifting?

Thank you for the question. Your description of increased swelling, suture separation and increased pain and numbness left breast/left arm are concerning. I would suggest that you follow your plastic surgeon earlier than scheduled to rule out a complication such as seroma/hematoma of the left breast. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Arm numbness after "anchor" breast lift surgery

Arm numbness after "anchor" or Wise pattern breast lift surgery can sometimes also be attributed to a small nerve that exits the ribs through the outside of the breast tissue and supplies the armpit and inner arm with sensation. This nerve, called the intercostobrachial nerve, can be damaged during this procedure and will cause pain, numbness, tingling senstations as you describe. Usually this nerve is only temporarily injured due to stretch or nearby cautery during... more

Erez Sternberg, MD
Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon